Playing games with friends is always more fun, and with Steam being one of the most popular gaming platforms, it’s natural to want to bring all your friends together, even if they’re not using Steam. Fortunately, there is a way to play non-Steam games with friends on Steam, and in this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process, enabling you to enjoy multiplayer gaming sessions with your friends regardless of the platform they use.
Step 1: Installing The Steam Client And Setting Up An Account
The first step in playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam is to install the Steam client on your computer and create a Steam account.
To begin, visit the official Steam website and download the Steam client for your operating system. Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install the client.
After the installation is finished, launch the Steam client and click on the “Create a new account” button if you don’t already have a Steam account. Fill in the required information, including your email address and a secure password, and click “Next” to proceed.
You will then be prompted to verify your email address. Check your inbox for a verification email from Steam, and click on the provided link to confirm your account.
Once your account is verified, you can log in to the Steam client using your newly created account credentials. Now you are ready to start playing non-Steam games with your friends on Steam!
Step 2: Adding Non-Steam Games To Your Steam Library
In this step, we will explore how to add non-Steam games to your Steam library so you can play them with your friends.
To start, launch the Steam client and log in to your account. Once you are logged in, navigate to the top-left corner of the client and click on the “Games” tab. From the drop-down menu, select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.”
A new window will appear, displaying a list of programs installed on your computer. Scroll through the list and check the box next to the non-Steam game you want to add. If the game is not listed, click on the “Browse” button and locate the executable file manually.
After selecting the desired game, click on the “Add Selected Programs” button at the bottom right of the window. The non-Steam game will now be added to your Steam library.
To organize your library, you can assign a category and set individual artwork for each non-Steam game. Right-click on the game’s name in your library, select “Set Categories,” and assign it to a category or create a new one.
Now you’re ready to launch and play your non-Steam games through Steam, opening up the door to multiplayer sessions with your friends.
Step 3: Launching Non-Steam Games Through Steam
Now that you have added non-Steam games to your library, it’s time to launch and play them through the Steam client. Follow these easy steps to get started:
1. Open the Steam client and navigate to your library by clicking on the “Library” tab at the top.
2. Scroll through your games list or use the search bar to find the non-Steam game you want to play.
3. Once you’ve located the game, simply click on it to select it. This will bring up a game details page.
4. On the game details page, click on the “Play” button to launch the non-Steam game.
5. Depending on the game, you may be prompted to configure additional settings. Follow any on-screen instructions to set up the game to your preference.
6. The game will now launch through Steam, allowing you to take advantage of the Steam features and functions.
7. To invite your friends to join you in the game, follow the steps under “Step 5: Configuring Steam Voice Chat and Inviting Friends.”
By launching non-Steam games through Steam, you can enjoy the convenience of having all your games in one place and seamlessly connect with your friends for a more social gaming experience.
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Step 4: Enabling Steam Overlay for Non-Steam Games
The Steam Overlay is a feature that allows you to access certain Steam functionality, such as the Friends List and in-game chat, while playing a non-Steam game. Enabling the Steam Overlay for your non-Steam games is essential if you want to play them with your friends on Steam. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Launch the Steam client and click on the “Library” tab at the top of the window.
2. Locate the non-Steam game you want to play with your friends and right-click on it.
3. From the drop-down menu, select “Properties” to open the game’s properties window.
4. In the properties window, click on the “General” tab and check the box that says “Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game.”
5. Click on the “Close” button to save your changes and exit the properties window.
6. Now, whenever you launch the non-Steam game through Steam, the Steam Overlay will be enabled, allowing you to access Steam features while playing the game.
Enabling the Steam Overlay for your non-Steam games enhances the multiplayer experience by enabling you to communicate with your friends and access Steam’s in-game features.
Step 5: Configuring Steam Voice Chat And Inviting Friends
Configuring Steam voice chat and inviting friends is an essential step to playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam. Follow these steps to ensure a seamless gaming experience:
Firstly, make sure you and your friends have Steam accounts and have added each other as friends. This can be done by searching for their usernames and sending a friend request.
Once you are friends on Steam, you can create a group chat by clicking on the “Friends & Chat” button in the bottom right corner of the Steam client. From there, click the “Create a Group Chat” button and invite your friends to join the chat.
To configure Steam voice chat, click on the gear icon in the group chat window and select “Voice Settings”. Here, you can adjust your microphone and speaker settings to ensure clear communication during gameplay.
After configuring voice chat, you can invite your friends to join your game by right-clicking their name in the group chat and selecting “Invite to Game”. This will send them a notification with a direct link to join your session.
By following these steps, you can easily configure Steam voice chat and invite your friends to play non-Steam games together, enhancing your gaming experience and camaraderie.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common Issues When Playing Non-Steam Games With Friends
Playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam can sometimes come with its fair share of challenges. However, with a bit of troubleshooting, you can overcome these common issues and enjoy gaming with your friends seamlessly.
One common problem that users encounter is game compatibility. Not all non-Steam games may run smoothly through the Steam client. To troubleshoot this issue, ensure that you have the latest version of the game and that it is compatible with Steam. You can do this by checking the game’s official website or Steam forums for any known compatibility issues.
Another common issue is connectivity problems. If you are unable to connect with your friends while playing non-Steam games, ensure that your network settings and firewall configurations allow for Steam traffic. Additionally, check that you and your friends have added each other on Steam and are friends on the platform.
Furthermore, if you encounter any gameplay or performance issues while playing non-Steam games with friends, try verifying the game files through the Steam client or reinstalling the game altogether.
By following these troubleshooting steps, you can overcome common issues and fully enjoy playing non-Steam games with your friends on the Steam platform.
Conclusion: Enjoying The Benefits Of Playing Non-Steam Games With Friends On Steam
Playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam offers numerous benefits, enhancing your gaming experience and allowing you to connect with your friends seamlessly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily enjoy multiplayer gaming sessions, regardless of whether the games are on Steam or not.
One of the main advantages of using Steam to play non-Steam games with friends is the ability to utilize all the community features available on the platform. This includes the Steam overlay, voice chat, and the ability to invite friends to your games. By adding non-Steam games to your library, you can organize and manage all your games in one centralized location.
If you encounter any issues during the process, refer to the troubleshooting section of this guide, which highlights common problems and their possible solutions. Steam provides a robust and reliable gaming platform, and by making use of its features, you can maximize your gaming experience.
Overall, playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to enjoy multiplayer gaming sessions, communicate easily through Steam’s features, and reap the benefits of the Steam community. So why wait? Start adding your favorite non-Steam games to your library and enjoy gaming with friends like never before.
FAQs
FAQ 1: Can I play non-Steam games with my friends on Steam?
Answer: Yes, you can play non-Steam games with your friends on Steam by adding them as a non-Steam game into your Steam library. This allows you to launch and play these games through the Steam client while still being able to enjoy the benefits of Steam’s social features.
FAQ 2: How do I add a non-Steam game to my Steam library?
Answer: To add a non-Steam game to your Steam library, open the Steam client and click on the “Games” tab. Then, select “Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library” option. A new window will appear where you can browse and select the executable file of the non-Steam game you want to add. Once selected, click “Add Selected Programs” to add the game to your Steam library.
FAQ 3: Can I invite my friends to play non-Steam games with me on Steam?
Answer: Absolutely! Once you have added the non-Steam game to your Steam library, you can invite your friends to join your game session. Simply open the Steam Overlay while in-game by pressing Shift+Tab (default), click on the “Friends” tab, select the friend you want to invite, and click on the “Invite to Game” option. They will receive a notification and can join your game if they have the same non-Steam game added to their library.
FAQ 4: Do my friends need to own the non-Steam game to play with me on Steam?
Answer: Yes, for your friends to play the non-Steam game with you on Steam, they need to have the game added to their own Steam library as well. They should follow the same steps mentioned earlier to add the game to their library. Once added, they can join your game session through the Steam invite or by searching for your game in the Steam client.
Final Words
In conclusion, playing non-Steam games with friends on Steam is now made easy with the step-by-step guide provided in this article. By following these simple instructions, users can enjoy the convenience of launching and playing their favorite non-Steam games through the Steam platform, while still being able to connect and play with friends. This feature opens up new possibilities for multiplayer gaming, bringing friends together regardless of the platform they are using. So, whether it’s a classic game or a newly discovered gem, Steam provides a seamless and unified gaming experience for all.