Non-steam games

[podracerzach]

So despite having steam for a couple or more years now, I just discovered the download non-steam game to library function. What is the purpose of it? Also would I be able to essentially get the steam versions of the game free if I had used an exe file for a game I got from another launcher? Say I had games I purchased from epic games, would I get the steam versions of those same games free if I were to download the exe files for the games from epic games into my steam library?

[urma botta]

Read this: https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4B8B-9697-2338-40EC

Essentially it is like a shortcut to the non-steam game using steam. It is pretty much like a desktop shortcut to the game via the library.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

As above says non steam games canm be linked to in the Steam library they appear in category Non steam.
See the top of Steam Client>Games>add a non Steam Game.
And no you cant get the same game for free on Steam, wherever you bought it from ok its Epic, is not related to Steam and you will have to buy a new steam versioin for it to be registered as a Steam game. Its registered to Epic.