Steam supports Linux a lot, and here’s how to get it on the most popular Linux distros.
Over the years, Valve has focused on making Linux the operating system for Steam, and suffice it to say that it has succeeded. It’s the Steam Deck operating system, and can easily run non-original games with the compatible Proton module. But you can still get Steam on your Linux PC. However, although Steam can be easily installed on Linux distros, the process is not clear to others.
In most cases, the best way to install Steam is either Valve’s installer or a repository. There are software stores like Snap and Flathub that store Steam, but at the time of writing, it seems that installing Steam this way causes a lot of problems and, in some cases, makes it unusable. So we’re going to teach you how to install Steam the old-fashioned way. Don’t worry, you only have to do this once, and you won’t need to install any updates later.
Installing Steam on Debian distros such as Ubuntu, Mint, and Pop!_OS
For Debian distros like Ubuntu (which is what the best Linux laptops run), it’s best to download Steam directly from the source. You can also install Steam through the Ubuntu Software app, but it seems that recent updates have made this version unusable, or a good cart. Although, given how easy it is to install Steam on a Debian-based distro, it’s not that difficult.
- Go to the Steam page and click the green Install Steam button at the top of the page.
- Click the blue Install Steam button in the middle of the page. You should receive a file named steam_latest.deb.
- Run steam_latest.deb and select Software Install.
- Ubuntu Software will automatically open and show you the steam-launcher page. Click Apply.
- Click Show Applications in the bottom left corner of the taskbar and open Steam.
- If you want to install the necessary files before you start using Steam, the installer will appear. Just press Enter and answer yes through the installer.
Installing Steam on Fedora and Fedora-based distros that use DNF
DNF is the package manager used by Fedora and other distros, and is how to install Steam since Valve’s installation is only used on Debian-derived distros. Like Ubuntu, Fedora has a software program called Software, but its version of Steam appears to be broken, starting with Fedora 38, as is the case with Ubuntu Software.
- Click Actions > Show Programs on the taskbar.
- Find the Terminal program and run it.
- Type this command in Terminal: sudo dnf install https://mirrors.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-$(rpm -E %fedora).noarch.rpm
- Press Enter to run the command. Whenever you are asked for permission during installation, say yes.
- Once the installation is complete, run the following command: sudo dnf install steam
- Whenever you are asked for permission during installation, say yes. Once done, you will see Steam appear in your applications.
Installing Steam on Arch Linux and Arch-based distros
Arch Linux uses the Pacman repository, where you’ll be getting Steam, since the installer from Valve’s website will only work on Debian distros like Ubuntu.
- Open a terminal and enter the following command: sudo nano /etc/pacman.conf
- You need to edit the pacman.conf file to remove the three characters # from the beginning of these lines: #[multilib]#SigLevel = Required Package#Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist
- Save the file.
- Open terminal again and run the following command: sudo pacman -Syu
- Then run the last command to install Steam: sudo pacman -S steam
Although installing Steam manually is not that difficult
At least for Ubuntu and Fedora, installing Steam is not very convenient without a central software store, due to Valve creating an installer for Debian distros and due to Fedora’s easy installation that only requires a few commands. On Arch Linux, however, it’s more complicated because you have to change the file, but it’s also worth the Arch Linux tutorial.
In the future, hopefully, Valve, Ubuntu, and Fedora will figure out what’s going on with Steam and why it currently has bugs that prevent the app store version from being reliable. For now, you’ll just have to access Steam in the traditional way, which is more sensitive but not worse. You’ll get updates automatically via a popup when available or you can check manually by clicking Steam in the top left corner and clicking View Steam Client Updates.
As for the games that are running, many of them on Steam already have Linux ports that run smoothly, which you can find on the Steam store under the category Steam OS + Linux. You can run Windows games using Proton, which comes with Steam and doesn’t require a separate download.
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Source: thptvinhthang.edu.vn
