Recommended Free Tools
It depends on where you own the game. If it is already registered to your Steam account, find it by checking the account and Library visibility. If you have a retail Steam key, activate it in Steam. If the game is owned or installed elsewhere and cannot be registered with Steam, add it as a non-Steam shortcut.
If the game is already owned on your Steam account
Do not try to activate it again. First make sure you are signed in to the account that owns the game. Steam says a previously activated game that no longer appears is most likely associated with a different account. Steam Support’s guidance for missing games also recommends checking Library visibility and purchase status.
- Clear any filters in your Steam Library.
- Check View > Hidden Games. To restore a hidden game, open its menu and choose Manage > Remove from Hidden.
- If you recently bought the game, check your receipt and purchase history to see whether the transaction is still pending. If the purchase completed but the game has not appeared, try signing out and back in.
If you have a retail Steam key
Use this route only for a key that can be activated on Steam and has not already been added to a library.
- Open the Steam client and click + ADD A GAME… at the bottom left.
- Select Activate a Product on Steam….
- Follow the on-screen instructions to enter and activate the key.
These steps come from Steam Support’s product activation instructions.
#1 Best Overall
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
If the game cannot be registered to Steam
You can still add the installed game to Steam as a non-Steam shortcut, so it appears in your Library and can be launched from the client. In Steam, click + ADD A GAME… at the bottom left, then choose Add a Non-Steam Game…. Select the game from the list, or browse to its program on your computer, then add it. Steam also documents the menu route as Games > Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library. See Steam Support’s instructions for adding non-Steam games.
A shortcut is not the same as owning the game on Steam. Steam states: “This will only add a shortcut to your game in the Steam client. This will not allow you to download updates for your game through Steam, nor allow you to use this game as proof of ownership for your Steam account.”
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #4
- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
Which option should you use?
| Your situation | What to do | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| The game is already attached to your Steam account | Check the account, Library filters, Hidden Games, and purchase status. | Access to the existing Steam entitlement if you locate it. |
| You have an unused, Steam-activatable retail key | Use + ADD A GAME… > Activate a Product on Steam…. | The game is registered to your Steam account if activation succeeds. |
| The game cannot be registered to Steam | Add its installed program with Add a Non-Steam Game…. | A Library shortcut for launching it; not a Steam entitlement or Steam-delivered updates. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
