Share the Gaming Love: A Comprehensive Guide to Steam Game Sharing
Steam, a popular digital distribution platform for PC games, offers a unique feature that allows users to share their game libraries with friends and family. This convenient option promotes gaming togetherness, fostering a sense of camaraderie and enabling players to enjoy a wider variety of titles without breaking the bank. Sharing Steam games involves a few simple steps, and in this comprehensive guide, we will navigate you through the process, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable shared gaming experience.
Prerequisites for Steam Game Sharing
Before embarking on the journey of sharing Steam games, it’s crucial to ensure that the following prerequisites are met:
- Steam Account: Both the game sharer (owner) and the recipient (authorized user) require active Steam accounts.
- Friend Request: The owner and recipient must be Steam friends. The authorization process requires them to be on each other’s friend list.
Authorizing Game Sharing
Once the prerequisites are in place, follow these steps to initiate game sharing:
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Log in to Steam: Begin by logging into your Steam account using the correct credentials.
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Navigate to Settings: Click on the "Steam" menu in the top-left corner and select "Settings" from the drop-down menu.
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Select Family Sharing: From the list of options on the left-hand side, choose the "Family" tab and then click on "Manage family sharing."
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Authorize Device: A pop-up window will appear displaying a list of computers that are currently authorized by your account. Click on the "Authorize this device" button to enable game sharing on the recipient’s computer.
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Log in to Recipient’s Computer: On the recipient’s computer, log into their Steam account using their own credentials.
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Confirm Authorization: Once the recipient logs in, they will receive a notification that they have been authorized to access the owner’s game library. They need to click on the "OK" button to confirm the authorization.
Accessing Shared Games
After authorization is complete, the recipient can access the owner’s shared game library by following these steps:
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Log in to Steam: Ensure that the recipient is logged into their Steam account on the authorized computer.
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Go to Library: Click on the "Library" tab located at the top-left corner of the Steam window.
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Shared Games Section: In the left-hand menu, locate and click on the "Shared" section. This section will display a list of all games shared by the owner.
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Install and Play: The recipient can now install and play any of the shared games listed in this section.
Important Notes
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Concurrent Access: Only one user can play a shared game at a time. If the owner attempts to launch a game while it’s being played by the recipient, the recipient will be prompted to quit the game.
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Purchase Restrictions: Games purchased by the recipient while game sharing is active will not be accessible to the owner.
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Game Removal: The owner can revoke game sharing for specific devices or users at any time by returning to the "Manage family sharing" settings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I share all my games with other users?
A: No, only games that have been designated as "shareable" by the developer are eligible for game sharing.
Q: How many devices can I authorize for game sharing?
A: You can authorize up to 10 devices for game sharing at any given time.
Q: Can I revoke game sharing once it has been authorized?
A: Yes, you can revoke game sharing by visiting the "Manage family sharing" settings in Steam.
Q: Is game sharing only available for family members?
A: No, game sharing can be used with any Steam friend. However, it’s important to trust the individuals you authorize for game sharing.
Q: Can I share games with users who have accounts on different platforms (e.g., Mac, Linux)?
A: No, game sharing is only available between users with Steam accounts on Windows PCs.
Q: How can I troubleshoot issues related to game sharing?
A: If you encounter any problems with game sharing, consult Steam’s support documentation or contact Steam Support for assistance.
Conclusion
Steam game sharing offers a fantastic way to connect with friends and family over shared gaming experiences. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily set up game sharing and enjoy
