Getting your favorite Steam games within easy reach on your Windows 10 Start Menu can significantly streamline your gaming experience. Instead of launching Steam first and navigating through menus, pinning games directly to Start allows you to access them with just a few clicks or taps. This simple customization requires no third-party tools—only a couple of straightforward steps. Follow this comprehensive guide to learn how to pin Steam games to your Windows 10 Start Menu efficiently.
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Step 1: Creating a Shortcut for Your Steam Game in the Start Menu
The initial step involves adding a shortcut for your Steam game to the Start Menu’s list of applications. This process varies depending on whether the game is already installed or if you need to create a shortcut during installation.
1.1 Creating a Shortcut During Game Installation
All Steam games are automatically added to your library. If a game hasn’t been installed yet, you can create a Start Menu shortcut during the installation process. In Steam, select the game you wish to pin and click the blue Install button located on the right side of the game’s page. Alternatively, right-click on the game in your library and choose Install.
During installation, ensure that the option labeled “Create start menu shortcut” is checked. Once the installation begins, wait for it to complete. Installing a game like Dota 2 can take some time—over an hour in some cases—so it’s a perfect moment to consider other gaming tips, such as discovering hidden Steam features. After installation, proceed to the next step.
1.2 Creating a Shortcut for an Already Installed Steam Game
If your game is already installed, there’s no need to reinstall. Instead, create a desktop shortcut for quicker access. To do this, open your Steam library, right-click the game, and select Manage > Add Desktop Shortcut. This action places a shortcut icon on your desktop.
Next, open File Explorer and navigate to your Start Menu’s Programs folder by entering the following path, replacing `[user account]` with your Windows username:
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C:Users[user account]AppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsSteam
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Once there, cut or copy the desktop shortcut you created and paste it into this folder. This step makes the game accessible via the Start Menu’s application list, ready to be pinned.
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Step 2: Pinning Steam Games to the Windows 10 Start Menu
With your shortcuts in place, open the Start Menu and locate the game listed under the All apps section. Click or tap to expand the Steam folder. You should see the new game shortcut among your existing list.
Right-click on your game’s name and select Pin to Start. Alternatively, you can drag and drop the game shortcut directly into the tiles area on the right side of the Start Menu for quick access. Once pinned, clicking or tapping the game icon will launch it immediately, providing instant gaming access.
You can also explore other ways to enhance your Start Menu experience, such as learning about pathways to becoming a game developer, which can deepen your understanding of game creation and management.
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Bonus: Adjusting the Size of Your Pinned Steam Games
To maximize space and organize your Start Menu efficiently, consider resizing your game tiles. Right-click or press and hold the pinned game icon, then select Resize. You will see options like Small and Medium; choose Small to free up more room for additional game shortcuts or other apps.
Resizing can reduce the icon size by approximately 75%, allowing you to fit more games or shortcuts on your Start Menu without clutter. This flexibility helps you customize your gaming hub to fit your personal preferences.
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Which Steam Games Are You Pinning?
As a casual or dedicated gamer, you might want to pin only your most-played titles or explore new ones to add to your Start Menu. Share your favorite games or your plans for organizing your gaming library in the comments below. Remember, you can also learn about real estate aspects in game development to understand the industry better and possibly improve your game management strategies.
Pinning your Steam titles to Windows 10’s Start Menu makes launching your favorite games faster and more convenient. With just a few simple steps, you can create a personalized gaming start page that saves you time and enhances your overall experience.
