How to Manage Your Games & Add-Ons in Steam

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• How to Redeem a Steam Key
• How to Install a Game
• How to Manage Your Add-Ons
• How to check the Download Queue
• Troubleshooting

Introduction

When you purchase a game/add-on from Steam, or redeem an activation key, you will normally be given the option to install the content right away. However, if you need to manage your library at a later date, please follow the guide below.

How to Redeem a Steam Key

To redeem an activation key, you will need a free Steam account and a copy of the Steam client downloaded.

Register for a Steam Account: https://store.steampowered.com/join/ 
Download the Steam Client: https://store.steampowered.com/about/

1. How to Redeem a Steam activation key
2. Launch the Steam client software and log into your Steam account.
3. Click the Games Menu.
4. Choose Activate a Product on Steam...
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process and download your game/add-on.
6. Once an activation key has been redeemed on Steam, your purchase will be permanently tied to your Stea

How to Install a Game

1. Open the Steam Client from a desktop shortcut or the Start menu.
2. Navigate to the Library using the top menu.

3. Locate your game from the Library side panel. (There are multiple ways to filter and group your content here, so it will be important to make sure that you do not have an active filter, if you cannot find a game)

4. Right-click on a game and select Install.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose the installation location.
6. Wait for the download to complete, and then you can start your game.

Note: If you are reinstalling a game, it would be advisable to delete the installation folder after uninstalling the game through the Steam client. This will prevent any old problems persisting.

How to Manage Your Add-Ons

1. Open the Steam Client.
2. Navigate to the Library using the top menu.
3. Locate your game from the Library side panel.
4. Right-click on a game and go to Properties DLC.
5. From here, you can place/remove the tick in the Install column to add/remove an add-on. Any changes you make will be confirmed by closing the window.

6. This will prompt Steam to download the required files and when the download is completed your add-on will be ready to play.

How to check the Download Queue

1. Open the Steam Client.
2. Navigate to the Library using the top menu.
3. Click on Manage Downloads at the bottom of the window.

From here you will be able to view your download progress, pause/resume a download and see recently completed downloads.

Troubleshooting

Verifying your game files

If you have an unstable internet connection or the download is interrupted, there is a small chance you may have corrupt or missing files. If your game or add-on isn't working as expected after downloading, please use the guide below to verify your game files.

How to Verify Your Game Files on Steam

Clearing the Steam download cache