How to Add Non-Steam Games to Steam: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

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Integrate all your favorite non-Steam games into Steam

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: August 13, 2025 Fact Checked

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Adding to Steam

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Adding to Steam Deck

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FAQ

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Steam allows you to add other non-Steam games to your game library in both the desktop and Steam Deck versions of the app. When you do this, you're essentially just creating a shortcut to the game, so Steam can't update or support the game otherwise. However, adding non-Steam games to Steam can help you keep all your games in one place for organizing and easy access. Keep reading to learn how to add non-Steam games to Steam.

Quick Steps

Open Steam and click Games.
Click Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library….
Choose your game.
Click Add Selected Programs.

Section 1 of 3:

Adding Non-Steam Games to Steam

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Adding a non-Steam game to Steam on your computer is convenient, but be aware that you won't be able to update the game through Steam or use that game to prove you own your Steam account.
Alternatively, you can click Add a Game in the bottom left corner of the window.

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If you clicked Add a Game in the corner of the window instead, you'll click a button that says Add a Non-Steam Game.
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Choose a game from the list. Discord will load a list of programs installed on your computer. If you see the game you want to add on this list, click the checkbox next to it.
- If you don't see the game you want to add, click Browse… in the bottom-left corner of the window, then navigate to where the game is saved. You'll need to navigate to the .exe file for the game, which is usually located in the game's installation folder. The exact location of this folder varies depending on the game, but it's usually in your Program Files or in My Documents > My Games.
This will add a shortcut to that game in your list of Steam games. To open the game, simply click on it in your games list and click Play.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

Adding on the Steam Deck

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Put your Steam Deck into desktop mode. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the Steam button on your device.
- Click the Power menu.
- Choose Switch to Desktop.
You can do this by transferring the game via an SD card, or you can download and install it from the internet.
Make sure you don't switch back to gaming mode yet, as you need to stay in desktop mode to add your non-Steam game to Steam.
Alternatively, you can click Add a Game in the bottom left corner of the window.
If you clicked Add a Game in the corner of the Steam window instead, you'll click a button that says Add a Non-Steam Game.
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Choose a game from the list. Discord will load a list of programs installed on your computer. If you see the game you want to add on this list, click the checkbox next to it.
- If you don't see the game you want to add, click Browse… in the bottom-left corner of the window, then navigate to where the game is saved.
This will add a shortcut to that game in your list of Steam games.
The game you just added to Steam will be under the "Non-Steam" tab in your Steam Deck's main game library.^{[2]
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Section 3 of 3:

FAQ

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Can I activate a non-Steam game on Steam? If the game is available on Steam and you have a Steam key for the game, you can activate that game on Steam as long as you haven't activated it anywhere else.^{[3]
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Research source} For example, if you get a game in a Humble Bundle, you can activate that game on Steam with the provided Steam key, even though you didn't buy it in the Steam storefront.
- To activate a product code, click Games > Activate a Product on Steam.
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Can I update non-Steam games through Steam? No, you cannot. When you add a non-Steam game to Steam, you're essentially just making a link to that game in your Steam library for convenience. The game must be updated in other ways (like through the game's own launcher or when you open the game).
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Can I use a non-Steam game to verify that I own my Steam account? No, non-Steam games cannot verify that you own your Steam account. If you need to verify proof of ownership (such as if you are trying to retrieve a hacked account) you must name games that you purchased through Steam.