On Windows 11, Steam installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam by default, and your games are in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common, with one folder per game. If you picked a different location or added another drive, the fastest way to find any game’s folder is in Steam itself: right-click the game in your Library and choose Manage > Browse local files.
Below are all the ways to find the Steam folder, plus where Steam keeps game libraries on other drives, screenshots, and other files people often look for.
Where Steam files are on Windows 11
| What you’re looking for | Default location |
|---|---|
| Steam program folder | C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam |
| Installed games | C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common |
| Games on another drive | D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common (or whatever drive and folder you chose) |
| Workshop mods | …\steamapps\workshop\content |
| Screenshots | C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\your ID\760\remote, unless you picked your own folder |
Method 1: Open a game’s folder from Steam
- Open Steam and click Library.
- Right-click the game.
- Choose Manage > Browse local files.
File Explorer opens straight to that game’s folder, even if it’s on a different drive. This is the most reliable method because Steam always knows where each game is.
Method 2: Go there in File Explorer
- Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
- Click in the address bar, paste C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common, and press Enter.
If you get an error that the path doesn’t exist, Steam is installed somewhere else. Use Method 1, 3, or 4.
Method 3: Use a shortcut or the Start menu
- Right-click the Steam shortcut on your desktop, or search for Steam in the Start menu and right-click it.
- Choose Open file location. From the Start menu, this may open a folder of shortcuts first. If so, right-click the Steam shortcut there and choose Open file location again.
You can also do this while Steam is running: press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, right-click Steam, and choose Open file location.
Method 4: See every Steam library folder
If you’ve installed games on more than one drive, Steam keeps a separate library folder on each.
- In Steam, click Steam in the top-left corner and choose Settings.
- Click Storage.
- Use the drive menu at the top to switch between drives. Each one shows the games stored there.
- Click the three-dot menu next to a drive and choose Browse folder to open it in File Explorer.
This is also where you add a new library drive or move games between drives. For step-by-step help, see how to move games to another drive in Windows 11.
Where are Steam screenshots saved?
- In Steam, click View > Screenshots to open the screenshot manager.
- Choose a game, then click Show on disk to open its folder.
To change where new screenshots are saved, go to Steam > Settings > In Game and look for the screenshot folder option. In newer versions of Steam, you can also choose to save an uncompressed copy to a folder you pick.
Where are game save files?
It depends on the game. Many games save to Documents, Saved Games (in your user folder), or %AppData% and %LocalAppData% instead of the Steam folder. Games that support Steam Cloud also keep a copy online. Check the game’s support page or community guides for the exact location.
Tips
- Don’t move the Steam folder by hand. Dragging it to another drive can break your games. Use Settings > Storage to move games, or reinstall Steam to the new location.
- Can’t see some folders? AppData is hidden. In File Explorer, click View > Show > Hidden items, or type %AppData% in the address bar.
- Fix a broken game. Before deleting anything, right-click the game and choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files. Steam replaces missing or damaged files.
- Opening a game’s .exe directly. See how to open game files on Windows 11.
Frequently asked questions
What does “steamapps” mean?
It’s the folder where Steam keeps game data. Inside, common holds the installed games, downloading holds updates in progress, and workshop holds mods.
Why is my Steam folder in Program Files (x86)?
The Steam installer puts itself there by default on 64-bit Windows. It’s normal and doesn’t affect how your games run.
Can I delete a game’s folder to uninstall it?
It’s better to uninstall from Steam. Right-click the game and choose Manage > Uninstall. Deleting the folder yourself can leave Steam thinking the game is still installed.
Is the Steam folder the same on Windows 10?
Yes. The default locations and steps are the same on Windows 10.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.