How to Download and Create an Account on Steam for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux?

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Image Source - Store.steampowered.com

Steam is an ultimate digital video game distribution service, which allows you to play, discuss, and create games.

With Steam you can:

  • Access games instantly
  • Release your own game
  • Have early access to games
  • Easily purchase games
  • Chat with your gaming friends
  • Broadcast your game-play
  • Join the gaming community

Here’s a quick guide on how exactly you can download and create an account on Steam for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and Steam OS.

Also, this guide includes solutions to some troubleshooting problems such as the slow downloading speed of Steam and Steam download stopping in the middle of the process.

Plus you will also get an idea on how to purchase and install Steam games and chat with others on Steam.

How to Download Steam for Windows?

Follow the steps below to download steam for Windows:

Step 1: Open the official website of Steam i.e. steampowered.com

Step 2: Click on the green button which says “Install Steam”. It is located at the top of the Steam web page.

Step 3: After clicking on “Install Steam Now”, the EXE installer program will start.

Step 4: Run the installer after the downloading is complete. Accept the license agreement and all the terms and conditions.

Step 5: Steam will get installed to C:\Program Files\Steam by default. However, you can change the directory of installation if you want to.

Step 6: Launch the Steam app. Steam will need an update when you run it for the first time. Wait for a few minutes.

Step 7: After the Steam app is updated, you have to log in to your account (if you already have one) or create a new Steam account.

Step 8: Now use the navigation tabs at the top of the Steam window to switch through the various sections of the Steam app.

Step 9: Now set a new location for the installation of games. This is an optional step because some users don’t want their games to be installed in the same directory in which steam was installed. To change the location for installation, follow these steps:

  • Click on the “Steam” menu.
  • Select the “Settings” option.
  • Select the “Downloads” option in the settings menu.
  • Click on “Steam Library Folders”.
  • Click on “Add Library Folder”.
  • Now select the folder in which you want to install games.

Step 10: Now open the library tab in the Steam app to view your purchased games. In this section, you can see uninstalled games, installed games, achievements, news updates, DLC, and more.

Step 11: If you want to install a new game, then double-click on any installed game to install it.

Step 12: Wait for the game to download completely. Monitor the download process by selecting the “Downloads” tab. After the installation is complete, you can create a desktop shortcut for the newly installed game.

How to Download Steam for MAC OS?

Follow the steps below to download steam for Mac OS:

Step 1: Open the official website of Steam i.e. steampowered.com

Step 2: Click on the green button which says “Install Steam”. It is located at the top of the Steam web page.

Step 3: Now click on the “Mac” link under the “Install Now Button”.

Step 4: Run the installer after the downloading is complete. Accept the license agreement and all the terms and conditions.

Step 5: Now open your applications folder and double-click on the Steam application.

Step 6: Launch the Steam app. Steam will need an update when you run it for the first time. Wait for a few minutes.

Step 7: After the Steam app is updated, you have to log in to your account (if you already have one) or create a new Steam account.

Step 8: Now use the navigation tabs at the top of the Steam window to switch through the various sections of the Steam app.

Step 9: Now open the library tab in the Steam app to view your purchased games. In this section, you can see uninstalled games, installed games, achievements, news updates, DLC, and more.

Step 10: If you want to install a new game, then double-click on any installed game to install it.

Step 11: Wait for the game to download completely. Monitor the download process by selecting the “Downloads” tab. After the installation is complete, you can create a desktop shortcut for the newly installed game.

How to Download Steam for Linux?

By following the methods given below, you can download Steam for Linux.

Method 1: By using the Ubuntu Software app.

Step 1: Open the Ubuntu Dash by clicking on the top-left corner of your computer screen.

Step 2: Open the Ubuntu Software app.

Step 3: Click on the search bar.

Step 4: Type “Steam” in the search bar. Press enter and then the official Steam app will show up in the search results.

Step 5: Click on the “Install” button. The official Steam app will be installed on your Linux computer.

Method 2: Installing the Steam app from Ubuntu Repositories.

Step 1: Click on the top-left icon on the screen. Type “Terminal” and press enter.

Step 2: After opening the terminal, type the command “sudo add-apt-repository multiverse” and then press enter.

Step 3: Then type and run the command “sudo apt update”. Press enter.

Step 4: Type and run the command “sudo apt install steam”. Finally, the Steam app will be installed on your Linux computer.

Method 3: Installing the Steam app via DEB Package.

Step 1: Click on the top-left icon on the screen. Type “Terminal” and press enter.

Step 2: Type the command “sudo dpkg –add-architecture i386”. Press enter.

Step 3: Then, type the command “sudo apt update”.

Step 4: Next, type the command “sudo apt install wget gdebi-core libgl1-mesa-dri: i386”.

Step 5: Type and run the command “cd/tmp&&wget http://media.steampowered.com/client/installer/steam.deb”.

Step 6: Type and run the command “sudo gdebi steam.deb”. Finally, this will install the steam app on your Linux computer.

Method 4: Installing the Steam app on Windows (Wine) Version.

Step 1: Click on the top-left icon on the screen. Type “Terminal” and press enter.

Step 2: Type and run the command “sudo apt install snapd”. Press enter.

Step 3: Type and run the command “sudo snap install steamforwindows—edge”. Finally, the steam app will be installed on your Linux computer.

How to Create an Account on Steam? (Common for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux)

To create a free account on Steam, follow the mentioned steps below:

Step 1: First you have to provide an email address and the country of your residence.

Step 2: Confirm that you’re aged 13 years or older. Click “Continue” after filling these details.

Step 3: A confirmation email will be sent to your account. Verify your email address for Steam by clicking on the link sent to your email inbox.

Step 4: In the next step, type your Steam account name and set a secure password. Click on complete sign up. Finally, your Steam account has been created.

How to Purchase and Install Games on Steam?

Follow the steps mentioned below to purchase and install games on Steam:

Step 1: Click on the “Store tab” to access the Steam store. You will land on the Steam store webpage. Use the side menus to scroll through different game genres.

Step 2: To purchase a new game, click on “Add to Cart”.

Step 3: Next, click on the “Purchase for Myself” button. Follow the instructions and provide your payment details. After the transaction is complete, the game will be added to your Library tab.

Step 4: The next step is to install the game that you’ve purchased. Click on the “Library Tab” and press the install button of the game to start the installation.

Step 5: Confirm the configuration settings and click the “Next” button.

Step 6: Accept terms and conditions and the user agreement by clicking “I Agree”.

Step 7: Click on the “Finish” button, meanwhile, the game is being downloaded in the background.

Step 8: After the download is completed, the installation of your game will begin automatically.

How to Chat with Others on Steam?

Follow the steps below to chat with others on Steam:

Step 1: First click on the “Friends and Chat” button on the bottom-right section of the Steam app.

Step 2: On the next window, your Steam friends list will open. Now double-click on any of your added friends to start chatting.

Step 3: Also you can add a new friend by clicking on “Add friend”.

Step 4: You can also remove a friend from your Steam friends from Steam friends list by clicking on “Manage > Remove as Friend”.

Troubleshooting Problem No. 1:

Slow Downloading Speed of Steam

If the downloading speed of Steam is slower than expected, please check the settings related to your current region by following these steps:

Step 1: Open your Steam app.

Step 2: Go to “Steam”. Click on “Settings” and then open the “Downloads” tab.

Step 3: Now you can see the “Download Region”. Select the download region that is closest to you.

Step 4: Also you can try different download regions available near your location, for a better connection.

Troubleshooting Problem No. 2:

Steam Download Stopping in the Middle of the Process

There are a variety of possible solutions for this troubleshooting problem. Some of them are:

Fix 1: Reconnecting the Steam Client

  • Open your dashboard and click Steam. Now select “Go Offline”.
  • A pop-up screen will appear asking you to “Restart in Offline Mode”. Click on it.
  • Wait for a few seconds. After the process is complete, open Steam. Now select the “Go Online” option. Again a pop-up screen will appear saying “Restart and Go Online”. Click on it.

Fix 2: Changing the Download Region

  • Open your Steam client.
  • Go to “Settings” and select “Downloads”.
  • Select “Download Region”. Select the download region that is closest to you. You can try different download regions available near your location, for a better connection.

Fix 3: Shut Down Apps that are Hogging Bandwidth

  • Open the run application by pressing the Win button + R.
  • Type “taskmgr” in the dialogue box. Your task manager will open.
  • End all the unnecessary processes such as browsers, Skype, and updaters. Restart your Steam app by using the Steam.exe.

Why Join Steam?

Here are 7 compelling reasons to join Steam today:

  • You can download and buy full retail games on Steam
  • You can join the gaming community on Steam
  • Steam enables you to chat with your friends
  • It enables you to play games on any supported platform
  • You can schedule a game or tournament on Steam
  • Steam automatically provides you game updates
  • You can access games instantly and enjoy exclusive deals on Steam.