Instructions for Incorporating Non-Steam Games within Steam: A Straightforward, Multi-Step Process
Steam, the popular gaming platform, now allows users to add non-Steam games to their game library, both on the desktop version and the Steam Deck. This feature can help with organizing and easy access to all games in one place.
Adding Non-Steam Games on Steam Desktop
- Open the Steam client on your computer.
- In the top-left menu, go to Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.
- From the pop-up list, select the game application executable or browse to locate it manually.
- Click Add Selected Programs.
- The game will now appear in your Steam library and can be launched through Steam, including through Big Picture Mode or Steam Deck’s gaming mode.
Adding Non-Steam Games on Steam Deck (Game Mode)
- Switch to Desktop Mode on your Steam Deck.
- Open the Steam client in Desktop Mode.
- Use the same steps as on the desktop: go to Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library and add your desired application.
- Switch back to Game Mode; your non-Steam game should appear in your library.
- If the game doesn’t automatically appear, manually create a shortcut: In Game Mode, open the menu, choose “Add Non-Steam Game” or create a custom shortcut pointing to the game’s executable or launcher.
- Launch and configure the game as needed for Steam Deck controls.
Additional Tools for Steam Deck Users
The process is further simplified with the use of third-party launchers like Heroic Games Launcher, which can be installed on the Steam Deck's Desktop Mode and then added to Steam as a non-Steam game shortcut to launch your non-Steam games easily via Steam Deck.
It's important to note that while Steam can create shortcuts for non-Steam games, it cannot update or support them. Updates for these games must be handled outside of Steam.
Also, adding a non-Steam game to Steam does not verify that you own the game through Steam. If a game is available on Steam and you have a Steam key for it, you can activate it on Steam even if you didn't buy it from the Steam storefront.
This method works for Windows/Linux Steam clients and Steam Deck’s Linux SteamOS designed for hybrid desktop and gaming modes. The Steam Deck is one of the platforms where non-Steam games can be added to the game library.
For further assistance, a FAQ and a video are available, and recent tutorials released in August 2025 show step-by-step manual shortcut creation and adding non-Steam games to Steam Deck Game Mode for a fuller gaming experience.
Here are the sentences containing the given words:
- If you're looking for tips on how to add non-Steam games to your library on your Steam Deck while in Game Mode, follow steps from the "Adding Non-Steam Games on Steam Deck (Game Mode)" section.
- For gadget enthusiasts keen on expanding their gaming horizons beyond specific platforms, technology has enabled the addition of non-Steam games to the Steam library, allowing a seamless integration of various games into one platform.
