How to Make Non-Steam Games Work on Steam Link: A Complete Guide

Steam Link is a fantastic tool that allows you to stream your game library from your primary gaming PC to other devices. While it’s a seamless experience for games that run natively on Steam, many players wonder how to integrate and play their non-Steam games using this technology. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at how to add non-Steam games to your Steam library and make them work with Steam Link.

Step 1: Adding Non-Steam Games to Your Library

The first step in getting your non-Steam games working with Steam Link is to add them to your Steam library. Fortunately, Steam has a built-in feature that supports this. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Steam: Launch the Steam client on your PC.
2. Go to the Library: Click on the “Library” tab at the top of the window.
3. Add a Non-Steam Game: Scroll down to the bottom left corner of your Steam window. There you’ll see a button that says “Add a Game.” Click it and select “Add a Non-Steam Game.”
4. Select Your Game: A list of installed applications will appear. Browse and check the box next to the non-Steam game you want to add. Click the “Add Selected Programs” button.

Now your non-Steam game is a part of your Steam library and can potentially be launched via Steam Link.

Step 2: Configuring Steam Link for Streaming

To stream non-Steam games from your PC, you’ll need to configure Steam Link to recognize and run them properly. This is relatively straightforward:

1. Connect Your Steam Link Device: Make sure that your Steam Link device is linked to the same network as your gaming PC.
2. Open Steam Link: Launch the Steam Link app on your device. It should automatically detect your gaming PC.
3. Launch the Game: Navigate to the “Library” section within the Steam Link app. You should now see your recently added non-Steam games listed alongside your Steam library.
4. Run Your Game: Click on the non-Steam game you want to play. It will launch on your PC, and the streaming should begin.

Step 3: Running Steam as Administrator

For some non-Steam games, especially those that require elevated permissions or are part of different gaming platforms (like Origin or GOG), you may encounter issues. One effective solution is to run Steam as an administrator:

1. Close Steam: On your gaming PC, completely exit the Steam client.
2. Run as Administrator: Right-click on the Steam shortcut, and select “Run as administrator.” This ensures that any commands issued by Steam have the necessary permissions.

By doing this, you may experience fewer issues while running non-Steam games through Steam Link.

Step 4: Additional Considerations

While it’s generally straightforward to add non-Steam games to your library, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Game Patches: Unlike Steam games, non-Steam games added to the library won’t receive automatic updates through Steam. You’ll need to manually update these games through their respective platforms.
• Game Compatibility: Most non-Steam games will behave similarly to their Steam versions if they have native support, so you can often expect a smooth experience.
• Controller Settings: If you plan to use a controller, make sure to configure the input settings within Steam. This can help alleviate issues with incorrect button mapping.

Conclusion

Integrating non-Steam games into your Steam Link setup can enhance your gaming experience by allowing you to enjoy a wider library from the comfort of your living room. By following these steps, you can easily add your favorite titles to your Steam library and stream them effectively. While there may be a few additional configurations for specific games, the overall process is simple and user-friendly. Enjoy the flexibility of playing both your Steam and non-Steam games virtually anywhere in your home!