How to Add External Games to Your Steam Library

Steam is the go-to platform for PC games, but there are some games that are only available on other storefronts like the Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Connect, Origin, and more. If you want to streamline your desktop gaming experience and make it easier to use the upcoming Steam Deck, we’ll show you how to add external games to your Steam library.

While you can add almost any game to Steam, keep in mind that you won’t have access to social features or achievements. However, Steam does allow you to connect apps so that you can see and launch them from your library page, although it doesn’t fetch box art or similar information.

How to Add Steam Codes to Your Steam Library

When you purchase games from third-party stores or services like Amazon, those games are often Steam games that can be redeemed using a code provided by the seller. These codes are typically 12 characters long and easy to use.

1. Launch Steam and find the option to redeem a code.

2. In the Steam client, go to the top and click on the Games menu. Then, select “Activate a product on Steam.”
   

3. A new window will open. Click “Next” and agree to the Steam subscriber agreement.

4. In the following window, input your Steam key and click “Next” to confirm it.
   

5. The next window allows you to install the game immediately. Alternatively, you can cancel at this step, which will add the game to your account but not install it right away.

How to Add Epic Games (and other platforms) to Your Steam Library

Many games are exclusive to the Epic Games Store, but you can still add them to your Steam library. The same process works for other PC gaming platforms like Ubisoft Connect, GOG, Origin, and more.

You can add non-Steam games to your Steam library, but keep in mind that you won’t have access to achievements, trading cards, or social features typically associated with Steam games. It’s simply a way to launch games through the Steam interface.

Here’s how to add a non-Steam game to Steam:

1. Find the game on your computer and note its file pathway.
   

2. For Epic Games, the installation folder is usually located in the EpicGames folder on the chosen drive, or you can find it in the default location: C:Program FilesEpic Games[Game Name].

3. Launch Steam and access the Games menu. From there, click “Add a non-Steam game to my library.” This will open a separate window where you can find the program you want to add.
   

4. If the program you want to add is listed, simply check the box next to it and click the “Add selected programs” button.

5. If the program is not listed, click the Browse button and navigate to its location on your computer.

6. Once you find the program’s executable file, select it. This will add the game to the window, and you can then click the “Add selected programs” button on your Steam window.
   

How to Add Emulator Games to Your Steam Library

Playing old games using software emulators and ROMs is a popular practice, and some players may want to add them to their Steam libraries. Please note that promoting piracy is not our intention, and playing ROMs should be done legally and responsibly.

There are various methods and tools available to add ROMs to Steam. One such tool is ICE or Steam ROM Manager, which can streamline the process. Additionally, you can create your own shortcuts in Steam like adding non-Steam games to your library.

Here’s how you can create a shortcut for your ROMs:

1. Create a shortcut for any .exe file using the same steps mentioned above for adding a game to Steam. This shortcut will be edited later.
   

2. Locate the installation folder for your emulator and ROMs.

3. Edit the shortcut by right-clicking on it in the Steam library and selecting Properties.

4. In the properties window, edit the shortcut’s name and icon, and modify the file path to include the emulator and ROM file paths.

5. Replace the Target field with the file paths, ensuring to enclose them in quotation marks. For example: C:YourEmulatorEmulator Folderemulator.exe C:YourEmulatorEmulator FolderYour ROM game.n64.

6. You can either delete the text in the Start in field or input the file path to your emulator folder.

7. The shortcut will now search for the emulator and run it, followed by running the ROM.
   

How to Add Windows Games and Apps to Your Steam Library

While adding third-party apps to Steam is fairly straightforward, adding Windows apps isn’t as simple since they don’t appear in the file explorer. However, you can use an open-source tool called UWPHook to add them to your Steam library, which is particularly useful for adding games from Xbox Game Pass to Steam.

Here’s how you can add Windows apps using UWPHook:

1. Download UWPHook, an open-source tool developed by Brian Lima.
   

2. If you encounter a SmartScreen notification while running the installer, rest assured that the app is safe to use.

3. Launch UWPHook and select “Load installed UWP apps” to locate all the Windows apps on your device.

4. Once the list of applications is displayed, you can select and rename the apps you want to add to your Steam account.

5. To export the selected apps, click on “Export selected apps to Steam.” UWPHook will copy them to your Steam Library.
   

6. Restart your system to see the updated list of applications in Steam.

7. If any exported applications are missing, you may need to manually log the AUMID for each one.

Please remember to use this method responsibly and respect the terms and conditions of the applications you add to Steam.

We hope this guide helps you add external games, ROMs, and Windows apps to your Steam library with ease! Enjoy a unified gaming experience on the Steam platform.

OnSpec Electronic, Inc.