How to switch Steam accounts on the same computer
You can run multiple Steam accounts on one computer, but only one can be logged in at a time. To switch accounts, you log out of the current user and log in as a different one. Steam stores each account's games, saves, and settings separately, so switching between them is straightforward — you just need to know where the logout button is, because it is not obvious.
The fastest way is to open Steam, click your account name in the top right corner, and select "Change User" from the dropdown menu. This logs you out and returns you to the login screen without closing the entire application. From there, you enter the username and password of the account you want to use.
If you do not see a "Change User" option, you may be running an older version of Steam. In that case, click "Steam" in the menu bar, then "Exit" to close the application completely, and launch it again to see the login screen.
Key Takeaways
- Click your account name in the top right corner of Steam and select "Change User" to switch accounts without closing the application.
- Each Steam account keeps its own library, saves, and settings — switching accounts does not affect other users' data.
- You can create a separate Windows user account for each Steam account if you want to keep game installations completely separate on disk.
- Steam remembers login credentials on your computer by default, so you can switch between accounts without typing passwords each time.
- Game saves are stored in different folders depending on which Steam account owns the game, so you cannot share saves between accounts playing the same game.
What happens to your games and saves when you switch accounts
When you log into a different Steam account, you see only the games that account owns. Your game saves, screenshots, and controller settings stay tied to the account that created them — they do not follow you to another account. If two accounts own the same game, each one has its own separate save file in a different folder on your computer.
This means if you and someone else share a computer and you both own a game like Baldur's Gate 3, you each have your own playthrough. Switching to their account will not show your progress, and vice versa. The game files themselves are usually shared (to save disk space), but the save data is not.
If you want to move a save file from one account to another, you have to manually copy it from the first account's save folder to the second account's folder. This is possible but requires knowing where Steam stores saves for that specific game, which varies by title.
Using Windows user accounts instead of Steam accounts
If you want a cleaner separation between users, you can create a separate Windows user account for each person. This way, each Windows user logs in with their own password, and Steam runs under that Windows account with its own Steam login. Game installations stay separate on disk, and there is no risk of accidentally launching someone else's account.
To do this, go to Settings > Accounts > Other people on Windows 10 or 11, click "Add account," and follow the prompts. Each person then logs into Windows with their own username and password. When they launch Steam, they log in with their own Steam credentials. This approach takes more setup time but prevents accidental access to someone else's library or saves.
The downside is that game files are duplicated on your hard drive — if you both own the same game, it takes up twice as much space. On a computer with limited storage, using "Change User" within Steam is more efficient.
Removing saved passwords and login history
By default, Steam remembers which accounts have logged in on your computer. When you click "Change User," you see a list of recent accounts and can click one to log in without typing a password. If you want to remove an account from this list — for example, if someone else was using your computer — you can do that from the login screen.
On the login screen, hover over the account name you want to remove and click the X that appears. This deletes the saved login from that computer only; it does not affect the account itself or log it out from other devices. The account still exists and can be logged into again by typing the username and password.
If you want to prevent Steam from remembering any logins, you can uncheck "Remember password" on the login screen each time you log in. This means typing your password every time you switch accounts, but no credentials are stored on the computer.
Switching accounts on a shared computer safely
If multiple people use the same computer, the "Change User" feature is convenient but requires trust — anyone with access to the computer can click your account name and switch to another user without a password. To add a layer of protection, you can set a Steam Guard code on your account, which requires a code from your email or phone to log in from a new device or after a long time away.
Enable Steam Guard by opening Steam, clicking your account name, selecting "Account," and then "Manage Steam Guard." You can choose email or authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy). This does not prevent someone from switching to your account on the same computer, but it does protect your account if someone tries to log in from elsewhere.
For stronger protection on a shared computer, use separate Windows user accounts instead. That way, each person has their own Windows login, and Steam runs under their own Windows session. No one can access another person's Steam account without knowing their Windows password.
Troubleshooting account switching problems
If "Change User" does not appear in your account menu, you are likely running an older version of Steam. Update Steam by clicking "Steam" in the menu bar and selecting "Check for Steam Client Updates." If an update is available, Steam will download and install it, then prompt you to restart the application.
If you are stuck on the login screen and cannot see your account in the recent users list, type your username and password manually. If you do not remember your password, click "Forgot your password?" on the login screen and follow the recovery steps — Steam will send a link to your registered email address.
If you see an error message like "Failed to connect to Steam" when switching accounts, your internet connection may have dropped. Check that you are connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, wait a few seconds, and try again. If the problem persists, restart your computer and launch Steam again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can two Steam accounts play the same game at the same time on one computer?
No. Only one Steam account can be logged in at a time on a single computer, so only one person can play at a time. If two people want to play simultaneously, they need separate computers or you need to set up separate Windows user accounts, which allows two Steam sessions to run in parallel.
Will switching Steam accounts delete my game saves?
No. Your saves stay on your computer in a folder tied to your account. When you log back into your account, your saves are still there. Saves are not shared between accounts, even if both accounts own the same game.
What if I forget which Steam account owns a game I want to play?
Use "Change User" to log into each account and check the library. Games you own appear in your library; games you do not own do not. You can also check your email — Steam sends purchase receipts to the email address associated with the account that bought the game.
Can I transfer a game from one Steam account to another?
No. Games are tied to the account that purchased them and cannot be moved or gifted to another account on the same computer. The only way to play a game on a different account is for that account to purchase it separately.
Does switching Steam accounts affect my computer's performance?
No. Switching accounts does not slow down your computer or use extra resources. Steam simply loads the library and settings for the new account. Game files on disk are not affected.