Should I install Steam in program files?

You can install steam games anywhere you want on your computer. But it is preferable to install it in specified by steam(C:\Program Files(x86)\steam\steamapps\). Otherwise there is no constraints as long as your specified location has sufficient space.

Where should Steam be installed?

Steam installs to C:\Program Files\Steam folder by default and files for games installed on Steam are stored in the folder C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\ by default.

Do you have to install Steam in Program Files?

It doesn't really matter. origianly, program files is for 64bit apps and x86 is for 32bit. However its done so mainly for the sake of organization and does not affect how the application actually run in runtime. Personally, i'd suggest neither.

Should you install games in Program Files?

The main advantage to installing games on another Partition/HDD is that the default Program Files folders are system protected folders, and installing games in them has been known to cause permissions issues in the past with games that can be modded.

Why not to install Steam in Program Files?

As Steam always creates the primary game library below its own install location, it is indeed a best practice to not install Steam itself in Program Files. Maybe if Valve offered the option to not force creation of the default library location below the Steam application folder itself, this advice could change...

How to Move Steam Games & Entire Libraries

Can I delete Steam from Program Files?

Should I install Steam on C or D?

You can install steam games anywhere you want on your computer. But it is preferable to install it in specified by steam(C:\Program Files(x86)\steam\steamapps\). Otherwise there is no constraints as long as your specified location has sufficient space.

Should I install in Program Files or x86?

In conclusion, the major difference between Program Files and Program Files (x86) is that the first one Program Files only contains 64-bit programs and applications, while the latter one Program Files (x86) only contains 32-bit programs and applications.

Is Steam supposed to be in Program Files x86?

C:\Program Files (x86) is the old 32bit folder. Even if Steam is a 32bit program being put in the 64bit folder will make it run better. The games Steam launches need be in the 64bit folder because mods do not use 32bit windows. Yeah, the folders are for organizational purposes.

Is it OK to delete files from Program Files?

Spoiler alert: you should never delete the “Program Files” folder in Windows, even when willing to do a total wipe of a PC. Youtuber ThioJoe posted an experiment in which he deleted the Program Files folder in Windows to see how that will destabilize Microsoft's operating system.

What is difference between Program Files and x86?

The regular Program Files folder holds 64-bit applications, while "Program Files (x86)" is used for 32-bit applications. Installing a 32-bit application in a PC with a 64-bit Windows automatically gets directed to Program Files (x86). See Program Files and x86.

What is Program Files folder for?

Program Files is the name of the directory or the standard folder in Windows where third-party applications are installed by default. An application installed in this folder has its own subfolder where all of its program data go.

Do apps need to be installed in Program Files?

No, you do not have to use Program Files. I don't on my own machine since the windows drive is a 128GB SSD so I install most programs to an external drive. That being said, installing your programs to My Documents may not be the best practice, especially on multi-user systems.

How to install Steam outside of program files?

Navigate to your Steam client 'Settings' menu. Select 'Steam Library Folders' from the 'Downloads' tab. From here, you can view your default installation path, as well as creating a new path by selecting '+' button. Once you have created the new path, all future installations can be installed there.

How much space should Steam take up?

System Requirements

Memory: 512 MB RAM. Graphics: DirectX 9 compatible video card with at least 512MB of VRAM. DirectX: Version 9.0. Storage: 5 GB available space.

Where should I install Steam for mods?

The central hub for downloading mods is the Steam Workshop. Login to Steam in a browser or your Steam Client, navigate to the workshop and subscribe to mod.

Which folder should I install games?

A subfolder called GameName within the user's "Documents" folder, where the actual location of the Documents folder is retrieved from the OS using FOLDERID_Documents. (On English installations of Windows, this usually maps to C:\Users\{username}\Documents\GameName .)

Why is my Program Files x86 so big?

Inside Program Files (and/or Program Files (x86) on a 64-bit system) are most of the apps installed on your computer. Take a look at the ones using the most space—you should uninstall any that you don't use anymore. To uninstall programs, head to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.

Should I download x64 or x86 files?

When choosing which OS type to install, it is always better to install a 64-bit OS because it can run both 32-bit and 64-bit software. On the other hand, an x86-based OS runs only 32-bit software.

Why is steam installing in x86?

@udlp - All Steam applications are installed in Program Files x86 due to Steam being 32-bit, and all steam applications, are installed within the Steam installation directory.

Should I install both x64 and x86?

In most cases you should install both the x64 (64-bit) and the x86 (32-bit) versions. If you're using a 32-bit version of Windows, then you only need to install the x86 version. Open the downloaded files and follow the instructions.

Why install in Program Files?

That means that you need admin rights (or need to run a trusted installer) to place a program in "Program Files", but once its placed there, anyone can run those programs. This prevents malicious programs from modifying other programs and it prevents users without admin rights from installing non-trusted programs.

Where should I install Steam on Windows?

Is it OK to download Steam games to D drive?

Yes, you can. Steam has an option when installing games if you have multiple storage drives. It will ask where to install a game, and you can choose to either use your C drive, “Create new steam directory in D:\” or “Install on D:\” if you have done option two already.

Should Steam be on SSD or HDD?

There's no harm in putting the Steam program on the SSD. However, unless you have a large SSD, your Steam library should be on your HDD. Games tend not to benefit much from an SSD other than faster load times.