Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Non-Steam Games on Your Steam Deck

How to Install Non-Steam Games on Steam Deck

If you’re a gamer who loves to play all kinds of games, then the Steam Deck is definitely a device you should consider. With its powerful hardware and extensive game library, it’s a dream come true for PC gamers. But what about those games that aren’t available on Steam? Can you still play them on your Steam Deck? The answer is yes! In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to install non-Steam games on your Steam Deck.

Step 1: Enable Developer Mode

Table Of Contents

The first thing you need to do is enable Developer Mode on your Steam Deck. This will allow you to install and run apps and games from sources other than the Steam Store. To do this, go to the Settings menu, select System, and then click on Developer options. From there, toggle the switch to enable Developer Mode.

Step 2: Install the Game

Once Developer Mode is enabled, you can now install the non-Steam game on your Steam Deck. Connect your Steam Deck to your PC using the included USB-C cable. On your PC, navigate to the game’s installation files and copy them to your Steam Deck’s storage. You can do this by opening File Explorer, locating the game files, and dragging them to the Steam Deck’s storage folder.

Step 3: Launch the Game

After the game is successfully copied to your Steam Deck, you can now launch it. On your Steam Deck, go to the Library menu and click on the “Add a Game” button. From the dropdown menu, select “Add a Non-Steam Game” and navigate to the game’s executable file. Once you’ve selected the file, click on “Add Selected Programs” to add the game to your Steam Deck’s library.

Remember that installing and playing non-Steam games on your Steam Deck may require additional configurations or compatibility adjustments. Some games may not work perfectly, or may require specific settings to be applied. It’s always a good idea to check online forums or the game’s community for any additional instructions or troubleshooting tips.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy your favorite non-Steam games on your Steam Deck. Whether it’s an indie game, an emulator, or a game from another platform, the Steam Deck’s flexibility allows you to broaden your gaming horizons. So go ahead and explore the vast world of gaming beyond the Steam Store.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Install Non-Steam Games on Your Steam Deck

If you’re a proud owner of a Steam Deck and want to play games that are not available on Steam, don’t worry! You can easily install non-Steam games on your device and enjoy them on the go. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Prepare your game files: Before you can install a non-Steam game, make sure you have the necessary game files ready on your computer. These files might include the game executable, data files, and any necessary installation files.
Open the Steam client: Launch the Steam client on your Steam Deck or on your computer.
Add the game to your library: In the top-left corner of the Steam client, click on the “Games” tab and select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library” from the dropdown menu.
Browse for the game executable: A new window will open, displaying a list of programs on your computer. Browse your computer to find the game executable file. Select the file and click “Add Selected Programs”.
Customize game details: Once the game has been added to your library, you can customize its details. Right-click on the game in your library and select “Properties”. Here, you can change the game’s name, add a logo or custom image, and even add launch parameters if necessary.
Install the game: If the non-Steam game requires a separate installation process, run the installation program and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure to install the game in a location that your Steam Deck can access, such as an external storage device or the device’s internal storage.
Launch the game: Once the game is installed, you can launch it directly from your Steam library. Simply click on the game, and it will start running on your Steam Deck.

You can repeat these steps for any non-Steam games you want to install on your Steam Deck. With this guide, you can enjoy a wide variety of games on your device, even if they are not available on the Steam platform!

Step 1: Preparing Your Steam Deck

Before you can install non-Steam games on your Steam Deck, you need to make sure it is set up and ready to go. Here are the steps to prepare your Steam Deck:

Charge Your Steam Deck: Connect your Steam Deck to a power source using the provided USB-C cable and let it fully charge. This will ensure that you have enough battery power to complete the setup process.
Connect to Wi-Fi: Turn on your Steam Deck and follow the on-screen instructions to connect it to a Wi-Fi network. This is necessary for downloading and installing games from your Steam account.
Sign in to Your Steam Account: Once your Steam Deck is connected to Wi-Fi, open the Steam app and sign in to your Steam account. If you don’t have a Steam account, you can create one for free.
Update Steam: After signing in, make sure to update the Steam app on your Steam Deck to the latest version. This will ensure that you have access to all the latest features and bug fixes.
Set Up Steam Guard: Steam Guard is a security feature that provides an extra layer of protection for your Steam account. It is highly recommended to enable Steam Guard on your Steam Deck to keep your account safe from unauthorized access.

Once you have completed these steps, your Steam Deck will be prepared and ready for installing non-Steam games. In the next steps, we will guide you on how to install and play non-Steam games on your Steam Deck.

Step 2: Adding Non-Steam Games to Your Steam Deck Library

After successfully setting up your Steam Deck, the next step is to add non-Steam games to your library. This will allow you to access and launch these games directly from your Steam Deck, providing a unified gaming experience.

Read Also: Error code 503 in Gundam Evolution - causes and fixes 'Gundam Evolution' Website

To add non-Steam games to your Steam Deck library, follow the steps below:

Open the Steam application on your Steam Deck.
Click on the “Add a game” button located at the bottom left corner of the Steam application window.
A dropdown menu will appear. Select the “Add a Non-Steam Game” option from the menu.
A new window will pop up, displaying a list of programs installed on your Steam Deck.
Select the non-Steam game you want to add to your library by ticking the checkbox next to it.
You can use the search bar or scroll through the list to find the desired game.
After selecting the game, click on the “Add Selected Programs” button located at the bottom right corner of the window.
The selected non-Steam game will now appear in your Steam Deck library.

Once the non-Steam game is added to your library, you can customize its display by right-clicking on the game’s icon and selecting “Manage” from the context menu. From there, you can change the game’s name, set artwork, and even create custom categories to organize your library.

Now you can enjoy playing non-Steam games directly from your Steam Deck with the same convenience and features as Steam games.

Keep in mind that some non-Steam games may require additional configuration or adjustments to fully optimize them for the Steam Deck’s hardware. You may need to consult online guides or forums specific to the game you want to play for more information on how to achieve the best performance and compatibility.

Read Also: Minecraft login error: how to fix in Windows 11?

Step 3: Launching and Playing Non-Steam Games on Your Steam Deck

Once you have successfully installed your non-Steam game on your Steam Deck, you can now launch and play it. Here’s how:

From the main menu of your Steam Deck, navigate to the “Library” tab.
In the Library tab, you will see a list of all the games installed on your Steam Deck, including the non-Steam games you added.
Select the non-Steam game you want to play from the list.
Click on the “Play” button to launch the game.

Alternatively, you can also launch non-Steam games directly from the Steam Deck’s home screen. Here’s how:

On the home screen, scroll through the games and applications until you find the non-Steam game you want to play. It should be listed under the “Games & Apps” section.
Click on the icon or title of the game to launch it.

Once the game is launched, you can enjoy playing it on your Steam Deck just like any other game. The controls should work seamlessly, providing you with a smooth gaming experience.

It’s worth noting that you may need to configure the controls for certain non-Steam games to ensure optimal gameplay. You can do this by accessing the game’s settings or options menu.

That’s it! You can now easily launch and play your favorite non-Steam games on your Steam Deck. Enjoy gaming on the go!

FAQ:

What is the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck is a handheld gaming device created by Valve Corporation. It allows players to access their entire Steam library and play games on the go.

Can I install non-Steam games on the Steam Deck?

Yes, you can install non-Steam games on the Steam Deck. This can be done by adding non-Steam games to your Steam library and then syncing your library with the Steam Deck.

How do I add non-Steam games to my Steam library?

To add non-Steam games to your Steam library, you need to open Steam and click on the “Games” tab. From there, select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library” and choose the game you want to add from your computer.

Can I play non-Steam games offline on the Steam Deck?

Yes, you can play non-Steam games offline on the Steam Deck. As long as the game is installed on your device, you can access and play it without an internet connection.

Is there any limitation on the types of non-Steam games that can be installed on the Steam Deck?

There are generally no limitations on the types of non-Steam games that can be installed on the Steam Deck. As long as the game is compatible with the operating system of the Steam Deck, it should be able to be installed and played.

Can I install non-Steam games on my Steam Deck?

Yes, you can definitely install non-Steam games on your Steam Deck. The Steam Deck is essentially a PC, so you can install any games or software that are compatible with the operating system it runs on.

Do I need Steam to install non-Steam games on my Steam Deck?

No, you do not necessarily need Steam to install non-Steam games on your Steam Deck. While Steam provides a convenient platform for managing and launching games, you can also manually install games from other sources or download them directly onto your Steam Deck.