Launched in 2003, Steam started as a digital distribution service for games by Valve like as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, DOTA. The standalone software client provided automatic updates for its games and expanded it to include the games from third-party publishers later.

Steam allows users to create a backup of games purchased through Steam’s library. However, you should note that] this feature only works with the games that completely download, install and patch through Steam, but not with the ones that use any third-party downloaders or installers.

In this article, we will guide you through the process for the backing up a single and multiple games from Steam to your PC.

Also read: How to link your Uplay account to Steam?

Creating the backup of a game on Steam

Open Steam on your PC and follow the steps below to backup games individually..

Step 1: Click on the Library option and right-click on the game you want to backup. Then in the menu that appears, click on the Properties option.

Step 2: Game properties box will open. Click on the Local files tab (third icon from either side in the tab bar at the top of the box). Under Local files click on the Backup game files option.

Step 3: The backup box will appear; confirm that the checkbox is tick marked beside the game you’re going to back up and then click on the Next button at the bottom of the box.

Step 4: Select the preferred destination folder for the backup files and then click on the Next button at the bottom of the box.

Step 5: Set the file name and then click on the Next button at the bottom of the box.

Step 6: The download will start. The time taken to backup the game varies across titles as it depends on the size of the files.

After the download is complete follow the on-screen instructions.

Also read: How to change your Steam profile background?

How to backup multiple Steam games?

Launch Steam on your PC and follow the steps below to backup multiple games at once.

Step 1: Click on the Steam option at the top left corner of the screen. Then in the drop-down menu, click on the Backup and Restore Games option.

Step 2: On the box that appears, select the circular checkbox beside Backup currently installed programs option and then click on the Next button at the bottom of the box.

Step 3: Select the checkbox beside the games you want to backup then click on the Next button at the bottom of the box.

Further steps are the same as shown in the above guide.

If you want to restore the backup game files from your PC to Steam then launch Steam and click on the Steam option at the top left corner of the screen. Then in the menu that appears, click on the Backup and Restore Games option then select the Restore a previous backup option. In the box that appears, browse the game’s backup file location and follow the on-screen instructions to restore the game

Also read: How to install Steam on Linux?