How do you import games already owned to Steam?

[Thylbanus]

How do I import games I already own and are loaded on my computer into Steam? Drag and drop doesn't work. There are many games that I own that I would like to log on Steam.

Thanks for any help

[Silicon Vampire]

Not many can be directly installed in to Steam.

While not all inclusive. there is a known list:

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7480-WUSF-3601

remember, it's up to the publishers of these games to get it set up so people can do what you ask.

[ApexZaTion]

Ok, this is what I did. Its SIMPLE.
-Click on the + ADD A GAME... button at the bottom left corner.
-Then click add a non-steam game.
I hope it works for you, it did for me. :P

[Thylbanus]

Tried that @acoustic14, that just adds a shortcut, not the actual game.
But thanks for the help.
I was thinking of games that ARE on Steam, I just don't want to repurchase them from Steam, nor reinstall them.
BTW, Thanks to you as well @Silicon Vampire. Found a tab from the site to get the CD key sent via email. Well at least I can get SOME games, now to find out if I have to redownload them. :-S

[Ineffable Anathema]

It doesn't really matter whether your games are Steam purchases or not, you can still use Steam to start the games and thus keep them all in one place for easy access. Just use the 'add a non-steam game to my library' function. There's no need for you to repurchase a working game.

[Thylbanus]

But it does affect the Steam Cloud. I want to have my save game files saved somewhere other than just on my rig. I had an issue a good time back and since then I always have multiple copies of things I care about in multiple forms. The constant change of save game files means that it is a bit of a pain to constantly backup and having them in the Cloud, would be quite convenient. Having them all in one place is what I don't want.
Thanks anyway.

[Jade]

Originally posted by thylbanus:

But it does affect the Steam Cloud.

Not every game uses Steam cloud.

[Ineffable Anathema]

Originally posted by Jade:

Originally posted by thylbanus:

But it does affect the Steam Cloud.

Not every game uses Steam cloud.

This, and also Steam Cloud is not always reliable. I've lost game saves of dozens of hours due to it. Make a manual backup, it's the only safe way.

[Thylbanus]

The games I want to add are on Steam Cloud. And I'd rather rely on maybe, since it is as reliable as remembering to backup every time I log out of a game.

[FFL2and3rocks]

If you have no key to enter, or Steam doesn't accept the keys you're trying to enter, then you're out of luck. Your only option is buying the games again from Steam.

[Thylbanus]

Well if @FFL2, is correct, c'est la vie. I'll deal.

[Thylbanus]

I feel you Illbarium. I was never a fan of Steam and this stonewall pretty much reinforces my displeasure. BUT they have a monopoly on some of the games I want to play so, like the company store of my grandfather's era, I'm stuck with it.

[ KARR™]

Originally posted by illbarium:

i just want the damn cards.

You'd only ever get 1/2 of the needed cards anyway. If you REALLY want them, just buy them, it'd be about 40p which is a lot cheaper than buying a new copy of the game on Steam, JUST for the 4 or 5 cards that you would get.