Gamesharing on Steam: A Comprehensive Guide
Steam, the world’s largest gaming platform, offers a unique feature called Gamesharing that allows users to share their game libraries with friends and family. This feature is a great way to save money and access a wider variety of games without purchasing them multiple times.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore everything you need to know about Gamesharing on Steam, including how to set it up, what games are eligible, and how to troubleshoot common issues.
How to Set Up Gamesharing on Steam
To set up Gamesharing on Steam, you will need two things: a Steam account and a friend who is willing to share their library with you.
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Log in to Steam. Open the Steam client on both computers and log in to your respective accounts.
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Authorize your friend’s computer. Go to the "Settings" menu and select "Family." Click on "Add a Family Member" and enter your friend’s Steam username. Your friend will receive an email notification and will need to accept your request.
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Set up Game Library Sharing. Once your friend has accepted your request, go back to the "Family" settings and check the box next to "Authorize Library Sharing on this computer."
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Restart Steam. Both you and your friend will need to restart Steam for the changes to take effect.
Once you have completed these steps, you will be able to access your friend’s game library from your own computer. To do this, simply open the Steam client and click on the "Library" tab. You will see a new section called "Shared Library," which will contain all of the games that your friend has authorized you to play.
What Games Are Eligible for Gamesharing?
Not all games are eligible for Gamesharing. Games that require a unique key or that use anti-cheat software cannot be shared. Additionally, some games may have restrictions on how many times they can be shared.
To check if a game is eligible for Gamesharing, open the game’s Steam Store page and look for the "Shared Library" section. If the game is eligible, you will see a message that says "This game can be shared."
How to Troubleshoot Common Issues
If you are having trouble setting up or using Gamesharing on Steam, there are a few things you can try:
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Make sure that you are both using the same Steam account. Both you and your friend must be logged into the same Steam account on both computers.
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Check your internet connection. Gamesharing requires a stable internet connection. If your connection is slow or unstable, you may experience problems.
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Restart Steam. Restarting Steam can often fix minor issues.
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Contact Steam Support. If you are still having problems, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
FAQ
- Can I share games with multiple friends?
No, you can only share games with one friend at a time.
- Can my friend play games from my library while I am playing them?
No, your friend cannot play games from your library while you are playing them.
- Can I share games that I have purchased on other platforms?
No, you can only share games that you have purchased on Steam.
- Can I share DLC for games?
Yes, you can share DLC for games that you own. However, your friend must also own the base game in order to play the DLC.
- What happens if I unauthorize my friend’s computer?
If you unauthorize your friend’s computer, they will no longer be able to access your game library.
Conclusion
Gamesharing on Steam is a great way to save money and access a wider variety of games without purchasing them multiple times. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up Gamesharing and start sharing games with your friends and family.
