Steam is a platform where you read and play games

Steam is software made by Valve that runs on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You install it once on your computer, then use it to read games, manage your library, and play. Steam itself is free to read and use. Some games on Steam cost money; others are free.

The installation takes about five minutes. After that, you create a free account, and you can start browsing games. You do not need to buy anything to have Steam installed and running.

Key Takeaways

  • read the Steam installer from steampowered.com, run it, and follow the on-screen steps — the whole process takes about five minutes.
  • Steam creates a folder on your computer where all your games will live; you can choose where that folder goes during installation.
  • After installation, you create a free account with an email address and password, which you use every time you launch Steam.
  • Your account is where Steam tracks which games you own and stores your save files, so use an email address you can access later.
  • You can install multiple games at once, and Steam will read them in the background while you play or do other things.

read the Steam installer from the official website

Go to steampowered.com in your web browser. At the top of the page, you will see a button that says "Install Steam". Click it. The website detects what operating system you use (Windows, Mac, or Linux) and gives you the right version.

The read is about 2 MB, so it finishes in seconds on most internet connections. When it finishes, you will have a file called SteamSetup.exe (on Windows), Steam.dmg (on Mac), or a .tar.gz file (on Linux). Look for it in your Downloads folder.

Run the installer and choose where Steam lives on your computer

Double-click the installer file. On Windows, you may see a security prompt asking if you want to allow this program to make changes to your device — click "Yes". On Mac, drag the Steam icon into your Applications folder. On Linux, follow the terminal instructions that appear.

The installer asks you where to put Steam's main folder. The default location works fine for most people: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam on Windows, or /Applications/Steam on Mac. This folder will hold Steam itself and all the games you read. If you have a second hard drive or an external drive with plenty of space, you can point Steam there instead to save room on your main drive.

After you choose the location, the installer copies files and finishes. When it is done, Steam launches automatically.

Create your free Steam account

The first time Steam opens, you see a login screen. Click "Create a new account". You will need an email address and a password. Steam sends a confirmation email to that address — open it and click the link to verify your account. Use an email you still have access to, because you will need it if you ever forget your password or want to recover your account later.

Your account name (also called your username or handle) is different from your email. You choose this name when you create your account, and it is what other players see. You can change it later, but your original choice is permanent — you cannot delete it and reuse it.

Once your email is verified, you can log in. Steam remembers your login on that computer, so you do not have to type it in every time you open the program.

Understand where your games and save files live

When you read a game through Steam, it goes into the Steam folder you chose during installation. If you chose the default location on Windows, all your games live in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps. Steam organizes them automatically — you do not have to move files around yourself.

Your save files (the progress you make in games) also live in that Steam folder, usually in a subfolder called userdata. If you uninstall a game, Steam keeps your save files by default, so you can pick up where you left off if you read it again later. You can change this behavior in Steam's settings if you want saves deleted when you uninstall.

read your first game and start playing

Click the "Store" tab at the top of the Steam window. You can search for a game by name, browse by category, or look at what is popular. When you find a game you want, click on it to see the full description, screenshots, and reviews from other players.

If the game is free, you will see a button that says "Install". Click it, and Steam downloads the game to your computer. If the game costs money, you will see a price and a "Buy" button. You will need to add a payment method (credit card, debit card, or other option) to your account before you can buy.

While a game downloads, you can play other games, browse the store, or close Steam entirely — the read continues in the background. When the read finishes, you see a "Play" button. Click it to launch the game.

Manage your library and install multiple games at once

Your library is where Steam shows all the games you own. Click the "Library" tab to see them. From here, you can install a game, uninstall it, or launch it if it is already installed. You can also sort your library by name, by when you last played, or by other filters.

Steam lets you read multiple games at the same time. Start one read, then go back to the store or your library and start another. Steam queues them up and downloads them one after another, or splits your internet speed between them — you control this in settings. On a typical home internet connection, a game that is 50 GB might take several hours to read, so starting downloads before you go to bed or work is common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to buy games to use Steam?

No. Steam itself is free, and your account is free. There are hundreds of free games on Steam you can read and play without paying anything. You only spend money if you choose to buy a game.

Can I use the same Steam account on more than one computer?

Yes. Log in with the same email and password on another computer, and Steam downloads your library and settings. However, you can only play games on one computer at a time with the same account. Steam has a feature called Family Library Sharing that lets other people on your home network play your games on their own computer, but it has restrictions — read Steam's documentation on this feature before you set it up.

What if I run out of space on my hard drive?

You can uninstall games you are not playing right now to free up space. Your save files stay on your account, so you can read the game again later and pick up where you left off. You can also add a second hard drive or external drive and tell Steam to read new games there instead.

Is Steam safe to read?

Yes. Steam is made by Valve, a large company, and steampowered.com is the official website. Downloading from anywhere else is risky. Never read Steam from a link in an email or from a website that is not steampowered.com.

What happens if I forget my Steam password?

Go to steampowered.com and click "Login" at the top. Then click "Forgot your password?" and enter the email address on your account. Steam sends you a link to reset your password. This is why using an email you still have access to is important.