How To Launch Game As Other Steam Account

To launch a game as another Steam account, you must first log out of your current Steam account and then log in using the credentials of the desired Steam account before launching the game.

Ever wanted to play a game from someone else’s library? Maybe you have a family account or you need to test something under a different profile. Learning how to launch game as other steam account is actually quite straightforward. It simply involves a quick switch of accounts.

This process helps manage different gaming profiles effectively. You can enjoy games owned by other users easily. Let’s dive into the simple steps required.

How to Launch Game as Other Steam Account

Ever wanted to play a game on Steam using a different account than your usual one? Maybe you have a family member’s account you want to use, or perhaps you have a separate account just for testing things out. It’s a common situation, and luckily, Steam makes it possible to switch between accounts. But it’s not as straightforward as just pressing a button. There are a few methods you can use, and we’re here to explain them all step-by-step, so you can get back to gaming without a hitch.

Understanding the Need to Switch Accounts

Before diving into the “how,” let’s talk about “why.” There are several reasons why someone might want to launch a game using a different Steam account. Here are a few common scenarios:

Family Sharing: You might want to play games that belong to a family member’s Steam account on your computer, without needing to purchase the game again.
Multiple Accounts: Some gamers have a separate account for specific genres, testing, or other purposes.
Avoiding Conflict: When sharing a computer, it might be easier to switch accounts than to deal with cloud save conflicts and preferences.
Using a Friend’s Game: You might have a friend who has a game you want to try, and they’ve enabled family sharing for your account.

Knowing the why helps you understand the options available and why some methods are more suitable for certain situations than others.

Method 1: The Direct Log Out and Log In Approach

This is the most basic and arguably the easiest way to switch Steam accounts. It involves logging out of your current Steam account and then logging into the other one.

Step-by-Step Guide

Close the Game and Steam: Make sure the game you are playing and the Steam application is completely closed. You can do this by right-clicking the Steam icon in your system tray (usually at the bottom right corner of your screen) and selecting “Exit.”
Open Steam: Launch the Steam application. You might have a shortcut on your desktop, in your start menu, or on your taskbar.
Log Out: If you are already logged into an account, click on “Steam” in the upper left corner of the Steam client. Then, select “Change User…” from the drop-down menu.
Enter New Account Credentials: You’ll be taken to the login screen. Enter the username and password for the Steam account you want to use.
Launch the Game: Once logged in, you can now navigate to the game library and launch the game.

Advantages: This method is simple and doesn’t require any technical skills.

Disadvantages: It requires you to log out of your current account each time you want to change, which could be time-consuming if you switch frequently. You’ll also need the username and password for each account.

Method 2: Using Steam Family Sharing

Steam Family Sharing provides a way to share games with family members. However, it’s not just for family; you can use it to share with anyone you trust. This allows you to play games from other accounts without the need to completely log out and log in every time.

Setting Up Family Sharing

Before you can use family sharing, you need to set it up. Here is how:

Log into the Owner Account: The account that owns the games needs to log in to Steam on the computer that will share the games. This is called the “library owner” account.
Go to Settings: Click “Steam” in the top left corner and select “Settings”.
Navigate to Family: In the Settings window, click on “Family”.
Authorize Sharing: Check the box that says “Authorize Library Sharing on this computer” and select which user accounts should have access. You’ll see a list of Steam users that have previously logged into this PC.
Grant Access: Click the checkbox next to the account you want to give access to, then click ‘Ok’.

Playing Games Using Family Sharing

Once family sharing is set up, you can play games from the other account. Here’s how:

Log Out of the Owner Account: Log out of the library owner’s account using Method 1.
Log into Your Account: Now, log in to your own Steam account.
Access Shared Games: Go to your library. You will see the games from the shared account listed, but they’ll likely have a note next to them saying “Borrowed from [Account Name]”.
Play the Game: You can now launch and play games that the owner account owns.

Advantages: You don’t have to log in and out of accounts repeatedly, making it faster and more convenient.

Disadvantages: Only one account can play from the shared library at a time. This means if the owner account starts playing a game, you will be kicked out, or won’t be able to play.

Important Considerations for Family Sharing

Concurrent Use: Only one user can play a game from the shared library at a time. If the owner of the game starts playing a game, the user playing the game through family share will get a message that the game will end in a few minutes.
Some Games Are Not Shareable: Some games are not eligible for Family Sharing due to technical reasons or publisher restrictions.
Account Restrictions: If an account is banned, the ban is also applied to the shared library.

Method 3: Using Multiple Steam Client Shortcuts

This method involves creating multiple shortcuts to Steam, each configured to log in to a specific account. This is a bit more advanced but allows for quick and easy switching.

Creating a Steam Shortcut with Login Information

Locate the Steam Executable: Find the Steam executable file, usually located in ‘C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe’.
Create a Shortcut: Right-click on Steam.exe and select “Create Shortcut”. This should create a shortcut on your desktop.
Modify the Shortcut: Right-click on the new shortcut and select “Properties”.
Add Login Parameters: In the “Target” field, add -login [username] [password] to the end of the path. For example, if your username is “example123” and your password is “password123”, the target path should look like this:

“C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe” -login example123 password123

Note: Storing passwords directly in shortcut may not be recommended and can be a security risk.
Rename the Shortcut: Rename the shortcut to something that indicates which account it will log into (e.g., “Steam – Example123 Account”).
Repeat for Other Accounts: Repeat steps 1-5 for each additional Steam account.

Important Notes about Shortcut Method

Password Security: Storing your password directly in the shortcut is risky. Anyone with access to your computer will be able to see the password. If you are not comfortable with that, you can use this method to only store username or not using any credentials in the shortcut at all, it will open to the login screen and you can log in as per method 1.
Updating: When Steam is updated, these shortcuts could be affected. Be aware that you may need to remake the shortcuts if the target path changes.
Steam Guard: If Steam Guard is enabled, you may still need to input a Steam Guard code even with a login command in the shortcut.

Advantages: This is the fastest method once set up.

Disadvantages: It can be less secure and requires a little more technical know-how.

Method 4: Using a Third-Party Tool for Multiple Account Switching

There are a few third-party tools available that help manage multiple Steam accounts. These programs typically automate the process of logging in and logging out. However, it’s essential to exercise caution when using third-party software.

Choosing a Tool

When looking for a third-party Steam account switcher, make sure it is from a reputable source and has positive reviews.

Research thoroughly: Read reviews and forum discussions about the tool before downloading it.
Look for virus check: Make sure the tool has been checked for viruses and malware.
Verify website: Make sure you download it from the official website to avoid potentially malicious software.

How to Use a Third-Party Tool

Download and Install: Download the tool from its official website and follow the installation instructions.
Add Accounts: Open the tool, and you should see an option to add your Steam accounts. You will need to enter the usernames and passwords.
Select an Account: The tool will provide a list of added accounts. Choose the account you want to use.
Launch Steam: The tool will handle launching Steam with the selected account.

Advantages: Third-party tools make switching accounts quicker and can be convenient for some users.

Disadvantages: These tools can be a security risk, and some may be unreliable. Additionally, Steam may ban usage of certain third-party tools.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even when you follow the steps correctly, you might encounter some issues. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them.

Login Problems

Incorrect Credentials: Make sure you are typing the username and password correctly. Passwords are case sensitive.
Steam Guard: If Steam Guard is enabled, you’ll need to enter the code sent to your email or mobile device.
Connection Issues: If you cannot log in, check if you have a stable internet connection.

Family Sharing Problems

Account Is Already Playing: If the owner of the shared library is playing a game, you will not be able to play. Wait until they have finished.
Game Not Shareable: Some games are not shareable. Check if the game supports family sharing.
Library Owner Account Not Authorized: Make sure that the account is authorized for library sharing on the computer.

Shortcut Issues

Incorrect Path: Make sure the path in the shortcut target is correct.
Steam Update: If Steam has updated, you may need to update the target path.
Security Warnings: If your antivirus is blocking the shortcut, you may need to add an exception for it.

Switching between Steam accounts can seem confusing at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Whether you decide to use the log out/log in method, family sharing, create multiple shortcuts, or use a third party tool, make sure to prioritize security and understand the pros and cons of each approach. Using any of the above methods should allow you to play a game on a different Steam account easily.

How to Share Games Across Multiple Steam Accounts! Working 2022!

Final Thoughts

In essence, you can launch a game using another Steam account by utilizing the family sharing feature or by simply logging out of your current account and logging into the desired one. Remember that family sharing has limitations on concurrent game access, so only one account can play shared games at a time. This is important to keep in mind.

If you are not using family sharing, the straightforward method is to log out of your current steam account. Then enter your target account details to log in, and launch the game. Following these steps lets you understand how to launch game as other steam account easily.