Steam for Windows

Name: Steam
Rating: 2.3 (34 reviews)
Author: Valve

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Used Steam for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 25, 2026

Steam is the premier digital distribution platform for PC games, offering a vast library, social features, and seamless game management.

Top Recommended Alternative

DriftGuard: Maintenance Tool

Paid

Pros
- Access to over 2,000 downloadable games
- Integrated social networking for friends and groups
- In-game chat and voice communication
- Automatic game updates ensure latest versions
- Cross-platform playability on any computer
Cons
- No mention of offline play capabilities
- No details on refund or return policies
- Platform limitations for non-PC gaming

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: October 30, 2020

Latest update: February 25, 2026

Version: oct-24

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 10
Windows Vista
Windows XP
Windows 7

Additional Requirements: 512MB RAM, 1GHz CPU

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 606,914

Downloads Last Week: 11

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Last Updated

User Reviews

2.3/5

34 User Votes

Best place to store games
ryan.englishApril 10, 2019
Pros
Easy to use Has almost every pc game
Cons
Cant transfer library
Summary
Age Old Con Game
jwnmilesJuly 23, 2017
Pros
none there is no pros.
Cons
Steam is that age old Con game of making someone think they need something when they dont then making them pay for it.. Everything done by Steam can be done through game websites and support community.
Summary
Avoid at all costs!
March 22, 2016
Pros
Games are fun
Cons
Support is very bad
Summary
Don't waste your money on this crap
Worst customer service on the planet
Me WadeJanuary 30, 2016
Pros
Game stats and saves can be accessed from anywhere on any computer.
Cons
Since at least 2010 to the present there have been untold numbers of customers suddenly unable to connect online to Steam a play a particular game after an "update". Suddenly they cannot use games they paid for, and there is NO live customer service. You are directed to FAQ boards where there are others with the same problem and no answers. If you use the "Service" button, and go through ANOTHER registration process, create a different ID and password, you can then choose from a ridiculously narrow selection of "problems", none of which have ever been close to the reason I'm trying to be able to use a product I already paid for. So you pick something as close as you can, and then explain your problem in the text box. Problem is, they evidently don't read that and simply tell you everything is fine. This is a company brining in over A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR, and they can't afford to hire a few hundred customer service people?
Summary
I will never again, if I can help it, buy a game that requires Steam.
Terrible customer service
June 28, 2015
Pros
large selection of games
Cons
System does not always work perfectly & they make it exceedingly difficult to obtain refunds that you are legally entitled to. In my case I purchased a game from them and downloaded it but was unable to play because they did not provide a valid CD key, despite my continued requests they did not provide a legitimate key and refused a refund instead thinking somehow that they were entitled to my money despite not providing what i had paid for.
Summary
Awful, I don't recommend.
VirtualMarkFebruary 13, 2015
Pros
It has some games.
Cons
The games are overpriced in comparison to elsewhere, especially old games. The support is literally non existent - they just don't reply, ever. To contact them, you have to fill out one of those online forms. But when you do that, you have to choose a category, and if it's not listed, then you still have to choose something. But if you choose the wrong thing, it may refer you away to the game creators. It's useless!
Summary
I only use it because I don't have a choice - I play Civ 4 and it's the only way to get it online now. But I really do hate Steam with a passion, very unimpressed.
steam cannot buy game no good bad steam
hitleronfireDecember 27, 2014
Pros
i have money to buy i tried using lots of method paypal mastercard but it pops up like this " An unexpected error has occurred. Your purchase has not been completed. Please contact Steam Support. " i spent 1 hrs just to try to purchase game but still fail in the end
Cons
i have 1000 dollar in my bank why i cannot buy game? they say i have unexpected error but i have 1000 dolalr to buy 1000 games in the game
Summary
 Updated on Dec 27, 2014customer service lousy don't even solve problem go suck dick no money for you
White Elephant
November 9, 2014
Pros
None come to mind
Cons
To much bull-Sh@t to go through to get games loaded onto it's site and then the customer service is crap.
Summary
Would not waste money on this White Elephant of a company
Its good only because there is no alternative.
a21ozcoldcupSeptember 7, 2014
Pros
-giant library of games (and a couple apps) -provides a way to get games online without buying a physical disk
Cons
-DRM doesn't always work. Traveling with your laptop? Even setting Steam to work offline, doesn't mean it will actually work offline. -Game doesn't work correctly after installing? Forget about any sort of customer support. -You can buy physical games in a store, on a DVD or CD and despite having the physical disk, serial key, etc. .. the game will still require Steam in order for you to play (its how I got forced into using it). Now you have another resource hog on your computer, in addition to whatever else runs in the background.
Summary
It gives you access to thousands of games you might not normally find, but the DRM management and customer support is so bad, it has and will continue to drive people to go back to pirating games because its really a terrible application. I love that the CNET review mentions GOG. Technically GOG is a competitor of sorts to Steam.. and the only one. Unfortunately their library of games isn't as updated, because GOG ONLY sells DRM-free games. Thats right. NO DRM. You pay for the game, you get the game. No bullshit app in the background. GOG is only a website, you download the installer, the booklets, the soundtracks and all.. its yours. Make backups. Install twice. Its yours. I highly recommend looking at that as an alternative, or simply pirating the game, over installing Steam. Unless you really need it...
You are a Drop in the Bucket To Them
josephcammack45September 6, 2014
Pros
Discounts are good.
Cons
If you run into a problem, your better off asking god for help.
Summary
Steam has no online support, no phone support, and they won't refund purchases that won't launch. If you have an issue, you have to email them and in 2 weeks their response will be to re-install. After the response, you have to wait another two weeks for the NEXT response. An old man would die before he got an issue resolved by steam support. Honestly, if you run into any kind of problem with steam you're better of asking God for help. They do not care about you, you are a fucking drop in the bucket to them. Never buy a game from them, get a hard copy or download from amazon

Developer’s Description

By Valve

Join one of the largest video game distribution platforms with millions of users worldwide.

Steam provides over 2,000 games available to purchase, download, and play from any computer. Check out the new releases, indie hits, casual favorites and everything in between. Find someone to play with, meet up with friends, connect with groups of similar interests, and host and join chats, matches, and tournaments. See when your friends are online or playing games and easily join the same games together. Chat with your buddies, or use your microphone to communicate in any game. On Steam, your games stay up-to-date by themselves with automatic game updates.

Steam for Windows

Editors’ Review

Top Recommended Alternative

DriftGuard: Maintenance Tool

Pros

Cons