If Steam is your go-to platform for gaming, you may find yourself diving straight into your favorite titles without fully exploring the myriad features it offers. However, taking a moment to navigate through the settings can unveil a treasure trove of customization options that enhance your gaming experience.
Run a privacy audit to prevent strangers from learning about your gaming habits
Maintaining your privacy on Steam is as crucial as on any other platform. Your Steam profile may inadvertently expose details about your gaming habits to the public. To safeguard your information, navigate to Steam > Settings > Account and select Privacy Settings. Here, you can adjust the visibility of your profile, including the games you’ve purchased, those on your wishlist, and your friends list. Options range from Public to Private or Friends Only, along with settings that control who can comment on your profile.
Create a “Steam Family” to share games with others
Steam’s built-in family sharing feature allows you to share your game library with up to five individuals within the same household, typically defined by a shared IP address. To set this up, go to Steam > Settings > Family and select Create or Join a Steam Family. As the family group leader, you can name the group and send out invitations. While multiple family members can enjoy different games simultaneously, note that two users cannot play the same title at the same time. This feature not only facilitates game sharing but also serves as an effective parental control tool, enabling you to manage which games are accessible to younger family members and set gameplay time limits.
Run commands to customize your games
For those looking to tailor their gaming experience further, right-clicking on a game in your Steam library and selecting Properties > General reveals a Launch options box. This allows you to input command line-style operators that modify how the game operates. These commands can help troubleshoot issues or customize gameplay features, such as launching in windowed mode, skipping intros, or disabling certain GPU features. The compatibility of these options may vary by game, but a comprehensive list is available online.
Add a drive to strategically move your games somewhere else
There’s no need to confine all your games to a single location on your system. If you have a faster SSD but limited space, consider relocating select titles to optimize performance. Start by creating an alternative storage location via Steam > Settings > Storage, then select Add Drive. Once the new location is established, you can move games by right-clicking on them, selecting Properties > Installed Files, and choosing Move install folder to designate the new location.
Limit download speeds to keep your internet running smoothly
To ensure that Steam downloads don’t monopolize your internet bandwidth, especially when streaming high-quality content, you can set download speed limits. Navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads and enable the Limit download speed option. This allows you to specify a maximum speed in Kbps, ensuring that your internet remains available for other activities while updates and downloads occur in the background.
Switch to other servers when yours is acting up
Steam typically connects you to the nearest server for optimal download speeds. However, during peak times, you may experience slower connections. To potentially improve your download speed, go to Steam > Settings > Downloads and use the Download region dropdown to select a different server. This simple switch could enhance your download performance significantly.
Use “Big Picture Mode” to navigate Steam with a gamepad
For those who prefer using a gamepad, Steam’s Big Picture Mode offers a more user-friendly interface tailored for larger screens. This mode simplifies navigation and enhances compatibility with controllers. To enable it, go to Steam > Settings, select Interface, and check the box for Start Steam in Big Picture Mode. You can also toggle between modes using Alt+Enter, your controller’s menu button, or the Big Picture Mode icon in the client interface.
Remap your gamepad controls
Customization extends to your gamepad controls as well. By right-clicking on any game in your library and selecting Properties > Controller > Controller Configuration, you can redefine how buttons and joysticks function. Additionally, the Browse configs option allows you to access community-submitted configurations, potentially giving you a competitive edge in your gameplay.
Use “SteamDB” for insights into future Steam sales
For avid Steam users, SteamDB is an invaluable resource. This database provides comprehensive information on every game available on the platform, including trending titles, upcoming releases, and the latest patches. Most notably, it offers predictions for future sales based on historical data, allowing you to plan your purchases strategically.
Use the FPS counter to monitor your PC’s performance
Monitoring your frames-per-second (FPS) can be crucial for ensuring your gaming hardware is performing optimally. To enable Steam’s built-in FPS display, go to Steam > Settings > In Game and select Show performance monitor. This feature allows you to choose the overlay’s position on your screen, and you can also display additional statistics such as CPU, GPU, and RAM usage, providing a comprehensive view of your system’s performance during gameplay.
