Steam Hidden Features: 10 Things You Didn’t Know

Steam is more than a store and game launcher—it hides dozens of useful features that most users never find. Here are 10 things you probably didn’t know you could do in Steam, from built-in screenshot editing to remote game streaming, plus the exact steps to use them.

1. Use the Built-in Screenshot Editor

Most players know that F12 takes a screenshot in Steam, but few realize you can edit that screenshot without leaving the client. Open your screenshot library (View > Screenshots), select any image, and click the “Edit” button. A simple editor appears with tools for cropping, adding text, drawing arrows, and applying basic filters. You can even upload the edited version directly to your Steam profile or share it with friends. This saves the hassle of opening an external image editor for quick tweaks.

2. Stream Games to Another PC or Phone

Steam Remote Play lets you play a game on your main PC while the video streams to another computer, laptop, or mobile device. To enable it, go to Settings > Remote Play and check “Enable Remote Play.” Then, on the second device, install Steam and log into the same account—your library will show a “Stream” button next to each game. The feature works over the internet, but a wired connection or strong Wi-Fi is recommended for smooth play. You can also use Remote Play Together to invite a friend to play a local multiplayer game online, even if they don’t own the game.

3. Hide Games from Your Library and Store

If you have games you don’t want others to see (or that clutter your library), you can hide them. Right-click any game in your library, select “Manage,” then “Hide this game.” The game disappears from your main library view but remains installed and playable—you can access it by clicking “View” in the top menu and selecting “Hidden Games.” To unhide, right-click the game in that list and choose “Remove from Hidden.” This also works for demos and DLC, keeping your library tidy without uninstalling anything.

4. Download Games at Scheduled Times

Steam can schedule downloads to happen during off-peak hours, saving bandwidth during the day. Go to Settings > Downloads and click “Schedule Downloads.” You can set a time range (for example, 2 AM to 8 AM) when Steam will automatically start pending updates. During the rest of the day, downloads pause unless you manually click “Resume.” This is handy if you have a data cap or share your internet with others. Note that this only applies to automatic updates—manual downloads will still start immediately unless you pause them.

5. Create and Use Custom Controller Configurations

Steam Input lets you remap any controller (including PlayStation and Switch controllers) to work with any game, even if the game has no native controller support. Connect your controller, go to Settings > Controller > General Controller Settings, and enable the type you’re using. Then, in any game, press the Steam button (or Shift+Tab) to open the overlay, select “Controller Configuration,” and build a custom layout. You can assign keyboard keys, mouse movements, and even macros to any button. The community shares thousands of configurations—you can browse and download them with one click, saving you the effort of creating your own.

6. Use Steam as a Universal Game Launcher

You can add non-Steam games—including Epic Games, GOG, or even emulators—to your Steam library. Click “Add a Game” in the bottom-left corner of the library, select “Add a Non-Steam Game,” and choose from the list or browse to the executable. The game will appear in your library and can be launched through Steam, giving you the overlay, screenshot capture, and controller support. You can even set custom artwork by right-clicking the game and selecting “Set Custom Artwork.” This centralizes your entire gaming collection in one place.

7. Transfer Games Between Drives Without Re-downloading

If you have multiple hard drives or SSDs, you can move installed games between them without re-downloading. Right-click a game, select “Properties,” go to the “Installed Files” tab, and click “Move Install Folder.” Choose the new drive and Steam will relocate the files, updating the paths automatically. This is much faster than uninstalling and reinstalling, especially for large games. You can also set default install locations in Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.

8. Use the Steam Console for Advanced Commands

Steam has a hidden console that lets you type commands for troubleshooting and customization. To enable it, add -console to the Steam launch options (right-click the Steam shortcut, select Properties, and add it to the target field). Launch Steam and press the `~` key (or Shift+Tab) to open the console. Commands like download_cloud_enabled (toggle cloud saves), open_console (reopen the console), and gameoverlayui (restart the overlay) are useful. Be cautious—some commands can alter settings you might not understand, so only use ones you’ve researched.

9. Share Games with Family Members

Steam Family Sharing lets you share your library with up to five accounts and ten devices. Enable it in Settings > Family, then authorize the accounts you want to share with. Those users can play your games while you’re not playing them—if you start a game, they’ll be kicked out with a warning. This is great for households with multiple gamers, but note that not all games support sharing (some publishers disable it). You can also set up parental controls to restrict what shared users can access.

10. Use the Built-in FPS Counter and Performance Overlay

Steam has a built-in FPS counter that works in any game, even if the game doesn’t have one. Go to Settings > In-Game and enable the FPS counter, choosing where on the screen it appears. You can also enable the “High Contrast” option for better visibility. Additionally, the Steam Overlay (Shift+Tab) shows a performance graph if you enable it in Settings > In-Game > “Display FPS” and check “Show performance graph.” This helps you monitor frame times and stutters without installing third-party software.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Steam Remote Play with any game?

Most games work, but some with anti-cheat systems (like certain multiplayer titles) may block streaming. Single-player and co-op games generally work fine.

Will hiding a game uninstall it?

No, hiding only removes it from the main library view. The game stays installed and playable.

Can I schedule downloads for a specific game only?

No, the schedule applies to all automatic updates. You can manually pause individual downloads at any time.

Does Steam Family Sharing let two people play the same game simultaneously?

No, only one person can play a shared game at a time. If the owner starts playing, the shared user is disconnected.

Is the Steam console safe to use?

It’s safe if you know what you’re doing, but some commands can change settings you might not understand. Stick to well-documented commands.

Related

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• Steam Hidden Features & Secrets You Didn’t Know