Do I need to install two copies of a game that isn't family share compatible?

[Progeria_Gaming]

I want to get my brother a game on steam that is not available for family share, since he keeps using my account and playing games I don't want him messing with, and since we use the same computer I was wondering If I would need to install the game again, or if his copy would work off of the one already installed?

[Hennix]

new account
new copy
thats the way it works

[zZzooey.exe]

If your brother makes his own steam account, he cannot play your non family-shareable games. He needs to buy it on his account.

[Ogami]

You dont read what he asked. He wanted to know if the brothers copy will work with the files downloaded already.
And the answer is yes. If multiple people use the same PC with separate Steam accounts a game has only to be installed once and both users play from the same files, they just have each their own license.

[Silicon Vampire]

You’d be better off asking about this in the games own forum as well

It can cause issues with profile and achievements with some games if I recall correctly

[Ogami]

Originally posted by Silicon Vampire:

You’d be better off asking about this in the games own forum as well

It can cause issues with profile and achievements with some games if I recall correctly

Yeah but that is more related to how Windows handles save files depending on the location.
Its best to use separate Windows accounts too for multiple users so they dont overwrite each others files.

[Carolynne]

Ogami got it spot on, if the game is already installed in the computer then any account with that game in its library can launch the game, since it's the same Steam client coming from the same Steam folder.

However not all games support separate savegames so once the game is purchased on his account be sure to check when you launch the game through your brother's account if it's showing your savegames or not.

If it's not showing any savegames then that means the game supports separate savegames and created a unique savegame folder/files for his account as opposed to yours.

[Kargor]

Having separate Windows accounts is a necessity, not a recommendation. Nowadays, games storing saves in the install directory or in C:\ or something like that is very rare.

Sharing a PC correctly -- that is, with separate Windows accounts -- means that the same game install will be used for everyone, but savefiles will be separated.

Note that Steam has a bug where it leaks Steam account logins between Windows accounts. If you share a PC, do not "store password" because the other Windows accounts will use the same login as well.