Steam is still one of the most popular PC gaming platforms, with millions of active users. The application offers a large number of games that can be purchased at affordable prices and played instantly. Well, not really instantly. First, you need to download your game, which can sometimes be tricky. Modern games are getting bigger and bigger every year due to all the improvements in graphics and customization. AAA titles can take up to 100 GB of space, which is huge compared to older games.
Downloads take much longer than before, mainly due to larger file sizes, but your download speed also plays an important role. Other gamers would tell you to get a better connection or get off McDonald's Wi-Fi, but sometimes games download forever, even if you have a super-fast fiber optic internet connection. This problem is usually not caused by your bandwidth connection, but rather by the servers providing the download, application issues, or even your computer.
Read on to find out how to speed up your Steam downloads.
Top 5 Ways to Download Steam Games Faster
Don't lose hope if your Steam download speed stays the same after trying just one of these methods. Go through them all and you will surely see some improvement.
1. End unnecessary processes
Sometimes too many apps and services use up computing resources. Killing unused processes opens up RAM and CPU for other tasks, including downloads and any input/output processing needed to get the Steam games you want. Here's what to do to disable unnecessary processes in Windows 10.
- Open “Task Manager” by tapping « Ctrl + Alt + Support » and selecting it or simply pressing «Ctrl + Shift + Esc. »
- Right click on unnecessary processes and select " Final task. » Make sure to close all browsers and other selective programs that may affect your download speed.
- At the bottom of the "Task Manager" window, click "Open Resource Monitor", then select the “Network tab” in “Resource Monitor” to see if something is hogging your bandwidth.
- If you find that an application is consuming all your bandwidth, you can terminate it as well. Right-click the process, then select “End of process tree”. Be patient as it often takes time to remove it from the list.
2. Prioritize Steam Downloads
You can also use Task Manager to ensure maximum download speed on Steam.
- Make sure Steam is running, then open Task Manager.
- Find it Client Steam in the list of processes, right-click it and click Go to details.
- Now, in the Details window, you need to right-click on the SteamService.exe process and has set its priority on Haute. This method might not do wonders for your Steam download speed, but at least it will prioritize it over other running programs.
Notes: Windows 10 does not save setting after shutdown. You will need to change the priority level after each startup.
3. Check your download region and bandwidth limit
Did you know that Steam uses your location for downloads? Your download speed is affected by the region you are in, but sometimes Steam can detect the wrong region. For best results, you should always select your region or the one closest to you.
You can choose your region by following these steps:
- Open " To smoke " and click on the “Steam menu” in the upper left corner, then select " Settings. »
- Now click on the "Downloads" section.
- From there, you will see the "Download Region" drop-down menu where you can select the region closest to you.
- Also make sure the "Limit bandwidth to" option is set to " Without limits. »
Note that sometimes the region closest to you is not the most suitable option. This scenario is due to high traffic in this region. Therefore, selecting a different location can sometimes increase your download speed, even if it is further away.
4. Disable your antivirus and firewall
Sometimes your firewall or antivirus programs interfere with your download speeds. Try disabling each one to see if there is any change. Consult your antivirus provider's manual or website on how to disable it.
- Open the Start menu, type “firewall,” then select « Stop-feu Windows Defender ».
- Then select “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off. »
- Finally, you must confirm it by checking the box “Disable Windows Defender Firewall” then select " OKAY. »
5. Optimize your internet connection
Not everyone can afford the best internet connection speeds, but at least you can optimize it to its full potential. First, try using an Ethernet connection when downloading anything, including games from Steam. Wi-Fi does not always provide optimal download speeds.
Make sure your LAN drivers are up to date to take full advantage of this type of connection. Many programs easily update all your drivers, but most of them are expensive. Driver Easy is available in both free and premium versions, which are suitable for downloading all the latest drivers.
In conclusion, slow internet speeds are one of the most frustrating things in modern society. Hopefully the suggestions above (at least one if not more) help speed up your Steam downloads, just in time for the next big Steam sale.
