You can switch Steam accounts by logging out and logging in with a different account, or by creating separate Windows user profiles
Steam stores your account information locally on your computer. To use a different Steam account, you log out of the current one and log in with another account's username and password. This takes about two minutes. If multiple people share the same computer and you want to keep game libraries and settings separate, you can also set up different Windows user profiles — each one can have its own Steam account logged in at the same time.
The method you choose depends on whether you want to switch accounts occasionally or whether different people regularly use the same computer. Both approaches work; they just serve different situations.
Key Takeaways
- Logging out and logging back in is the quickest way to switch accounts if you are the only person using the computer.
- Steam remembers your login on that computer unless you explicitly log out, so you can return to your account without typing your password every time.
- If multiple people share one computer, creating separate Windows user profiles keeps each person's games, friends list, and settings completely separate.
- Steam's Family Library feature lets you share games across accounts on the same computer without giving anyone your password.
- Two-factor authentication protects your account if you log in from different computers or locations.
Switching accounts on the same Windows profile
Open Steam and look for your account name in the top right corner of the window. Click on it and select "Change Account" from the menu. Steam will log you out and return to the login screen. Enter the username and password for the account you want to use, then click "Login".
Steam will ask whether you want it to remember this account on this computer. If you check that box, Steam will show the account name on the login screen next time you open the program, and you can log in without typing your username. If you do not check it, you will type the full username and password each time.
Your game library, friends list, and settings belong to whichever account is currently logged in. When you switch accounts, you see a completely different library and a different set of installed games. Games installed by one account are not automatically available to the other account unless you use Family Library.
Using separate Windows user profiles for multiple people
If your computer is shared by multiple people and each person has their own Steam account, the cleanest approach is to create a separate Windows user profile for each person. Each Windows profile can have Steam installed with a different account logged in, and the game libraries stay separate.
To create a new Windows user profile, open Settings, go to Accounts, and select "Family & other users" (on Windows 10) or "Other users" (on Windows 11). Click "Add account" and follow the prompts. You can create a local account (which does not require a Microsoft email) or a Microsoft account. Once the new profile exists, each person can log into their own Windows profile and launch Steam with their own account.
This method is more work to set up, but it means each person has their own desktop, files, and settings in addition to their own Steam library. It also prevents accidental changes to someone else's game settings or friends list.
Sharing games across accounts with Family Library
Steam's Family Library feature lets you share your installed games with other accounts on the same computer without giving them your password. The account that owns the games stays logged in on the computer, and other accounts can play those games when they log in.
To set this up, log into the account that owns the games. Go to Settings, select "Family", and check the box next to "Authorize Library Sharing on Other Devices". This allows other accounts on this computer to play your games. The account that owns the games does not need to be logged in for others to play them, but it cannot be actively playing a game at the same time someone else is playing a shared game.
Family Library is useful if you buy games on one account but want household members to play them without sharing your password. It does not work across different computers — only on the same machine.
What happens to your saves and settings when you switch
Game saves are stored in your Steam account's cloud storage or in a local folder on your computer. If you switch to a different account on the same Windows profile, that account will not see the previous account's saves unless the game stores saves in a shared location (which is rare). Each Steam account has its own set of saves.
Steam settings like your display name, profile picture, and friends list are tied to your account and travel with you. When you log into your account on a different computer, you see the same friends list and profile. However, game-specific settings like graphics options or control bindings are usually stored locally on the computer, so they may not transfer if you switch accounts on the same machine.
Protecting your account when switching devices
If you log into your Steam account on a computer that is not yours, or if you share a computer with others, enable two-factor authentication. This adds a security step: when you log in from a new device or location, Steam sends a code to your phone or email, and you must enter that code to complete the login.
To turn on two-factor authentication, log into your account, go to Settings, select "Account", and look for "Manage Steam Guard settings". You can choose between an authenticator app (like Steam's own mobile app) or email codes. Email codes are simpler if you do not want to install another app.
Two-factor authentication does not prevent someone from logging out of your account if they have physical access to your computer, but it does prevent them from logging in from somewhere else without your phone or email.
Troubleshooting common switching problems
If Steam will not let you log in with a different account, the most common reason is that you did not fully log out. Close Steam completely — not just minimize it — and reopen it. Look for the login screen. If you see an account name already filled in, click "Switch Account" to clear it.
If you see a message saying "This account is already logged in elsewhere", it means your account is currently active on another device. Log out from that device first, or wait a few minutes for Steam to recognize the logout. You can also go to your account settings on the Steam website, select "Devices", and click "Forget" next to any device you no longer use.
If you forgot your password, go to the Steam login page on the web, click "Forgot your password?", and follow the recovery steps. Steam will send a link to the email address associated with your account. If you no longer have access to that email, you will need to contact Steam Support through the Steam website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two people play on the same Steam account at the same time?
No. Steam only allows one person to be logged into an account at a time. If you try to log in from a second computer while already logged in elsewhere, Steam will log you out of the first location. If you want multiple people to play simultaneously, each person needs their own account, or you need to use Family Library to share games.
Will my games transfer if I switch to a different Steam account?
No. Games are tied to the account that purchased them. If you switch accounts, you see only the games that account owns. You can share games across accounts on the same computer using Family Library, but you cannot move game ownership from one account to another.
Do I need to reinstall games when I switch accounts?
Not always. If both accounts have access to the same game library folder, they can both play the same installed games. However, game saves are usually account-specific, so the second account will start the game fresh. You can check whether a game supports shared saves by looking at its properties in Steam.
What if I share a computer with someone and do not want them to see my account?
Create a separate Windows user profile for each person. Each profile can have its own Steam account, and they will not see each other's libraries, friends, or settings. This is more find than logging in and out of the same account repeatedly.
Can I use the same Steam account on multiple computers?
Yes. You can log into the same Steam account on as many computers as you own. However, only one person can be actively logged in at a time. If you log in on a second computer, you will be logged out of the first one. You can also use Family Library to let other accounts on those computers play your games without logging in with your password.