Solving The Mystery Of Steamworks Shared: A User's Guide To Common Redistributables
Many people who use Steam have come across a folder called "steamworks shared" within their Steam installation. It's something that often prompts questions and discussions among users. You might have seen it sitting in your `steamapps` common directory and wondered, "What is this thing, and can I even touch it?" It's a very common point of curiosity, especially when you are looking to free up some disk space. This folder, while perhaps a bit mysterious at first glance, actually plays a pretty important role in how your games run.
This article will help you understand just what "steamworks shared" is all about. We will look at why it shows up on your computer and how it helps your games work correctly. Knowing its purpose can ease any worries you have about it taking up space. It’s not just some random collection of files; it’s there for a good reason, you know.
We'll also walk you through how to manage this folder. Whether you want to move it to a different drive, or you are simply curious if it is safe to delete, we have got you covered. We will even touch on how to fix some common problems related to these files. So, get ready to make sense of that "steamworks shared" folder and feel more in control of your Steam setup.
Table of Contents
- What Exactly is Steamworks Shared?
- Why Does Steamworks Shared Appear?
- Managing Your Steamworks Shared Folder
- Beyond the Folder: The Wider Steamworks Picture
- Frequently Asked Questions About Steamworks Shared
- Final Thoughts on Steamworks Shared
What Exactly is Steamworks Shared?
The "steamworks shared" folder, often found at a path like `C:\program files (x86)\steam\steamapps\common\steamworks shared\`, is a collection of very important files. It is also known by other names, like "steamworks common redistributables" or "commonredist," and is identified by a specific Steam application ID, which is 228980. Inside this folder, you will find a subfolder typically named `_commonredist`. This `_commonredist` folder holds various types of redistributable packages.
These redistributables are, in simple terms, software components that many games need to run. Think of them as foundational tools or libraries. They include things like Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables, DirectX, and other similar frameworks. Many games rely on these shared components to function properly. So, it is, you know, a very central place for these bits of software.
Steam uses this shared package to gather several common items that are often a dependency for many different games. Instead of each game bringing its own copy of, say, a specific Visual C++ version, Steam puts these shared bits in one spot. This helps keep things tidy and, arguably, saves you a little bit of space overall, since the files are not duplicated across dozens of game folders.
Why Does Steamworks Shared Appear?
The "steamworks shared" folder appears because it is a smart way Steam handles game dependencies. When you install a new game, especially one that needs common software components, Steam automatically checks for and installs these required packages into this shared location. It is designed to make sure your games have everything they need without you having to go looking for separate installers. This really helps to simplify the whole game installation process.
One big reason it is there is to actually save you disk space. It might seem like a large folder at first glance, but if every single game installed its own copy of every single dependency, your hard drive would fill up much faster. By centralizing these common redistributables, Steam only keeps one copy of each needed package. So, it is, in some respects, quite efficient.
It is also about making sure games just work. If you install any game that relies on these common components, Steam will make sure this folder, and the necessary files within it, are present on that drive. It is a more or less automatic process designed to prevent errors and get you into your games faster. The system is set up to handle these requirements behind the scenes, which is pretty handy.
Managing Your Steamworks Shared Folder
Dealing with the "steamworks shared" folder is something many users think about, especially when storage becomes a concern. You might wonder if you can move it or even get rid of it. The good news is, you do have some options for managing it, but it is important to know what happens when you do. We will go through the steps for moving it and discuss what happens if you decide to delete it.
Moving Steamworks Shared to a Different Location
If you want to move the "steamworks shared" folder to a different drive or library folder, perhaps to free up space on your main drive, there is a specific process to follow. This is not just a simple copy-and-paste job, as Steam needs to know where these files are. So, you know, a bit of care is needed here.
First, you will want to move the "steamworks shared" folder itself into the target library folder, specifically into the `steamapps` directory within that library. For example, if your new library is on your 'D:' drive, you would move it to `D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\`. This tells Steam where the main folder for these shared files now resides.
Next, and this is a pretty important step, you also need to move the corresponding `.acf` file. This `.acf` file is a manifest that tells Steam about the "steamworks common redistributables" package. This file needs to go into the library folder itself, but outside of the `steamapps` directory. So, using our example, it would go into `D:\SteamLibrary\`. This file typically has a name like `appmanifest_228980.acf`, where 228980 is the ID for "steamworks common redistributables."
After you have moved both the folder and its `.acf` file to their correct new spots, you can start Steam again. The system should then recognize the new location of the "steamworks shared" package. It is, you know, pretty much done at that point. Just make sure to only do this if you are comfortable with moving files around your Steam installation. Tools like `steamtinkerlaunch` can also help install "steamworks shared" packages into any Wine prefix, which is useful for Linux users.
Can You Delete Steamworks Shared?
This is a question many users ask: "Can I delete the 'steamworks shared' folder in my `steamapps` common directory?" The short answer is yes, you can delete it. Many users have confirmed that it can be removed. However, there is a very important point to remember.
If you delete the "steamworks shared" folder, Steam will automatically download it again if any of your installed games require those common redistributables. It is, you know, a bit like cleaning out a cupboard only for the necessary items to reappear when you next need them. This means that while you can clear it out, it is not a permanent solution for saving space if you continue to play games that need those files.
As a matter of fact, you can delete nearly every file in your Steam folder aside from the `Steam.exe` executable and the actual game folders themselves (or their manifest files). Steam is designed to rebuild itself. So, if you remove "steamworks shared," it will simply redownload itself if any games you install to that drive need its contents. It is literally just there to actually save you space in the long run, only keeping what your current games need.
Troubleshooting Common Steamworks Shared Errors
Sometimes, users might see an error notification related to "steamworks common redistributables." This can be a bit frustrating, but there are usually ways to fix it. These errors often happen if the files become corrupted or if Steam has trouble verifying their presence. So, you know, it can be a little annoying.
One common fix involves letting Steam re-verify the integrity of your game files. This process often prompts Steam to redownload any missing or corrupted "steamworks shared" components. Another approach, as mentioned earlier, is to delete the "steamworks shared" folder. Since Steam will automatically redownload it if needed, this can often resolve issues stemming from corrupted files within that folder.
If you are facing persistent issues, sometimes reinstalling a game that relies on these redistributables can trigger a fresh download and installation of the "steamworks shared" components. This can help clear up any lingering problems. The system is designed to be quite resilient, so usually, a little nudge can get things back on track.
Beyond the Folder: The Wider Steamworks Picture
While we have focused on the "steamworks shared" folder, it is part of a much bigger system known as Steamworks. Steamworks is an API, which stands for Application Programming Interface. It is a set of tools and services intended to help with developing and publishing a game or mod on the Steam platform. It is, you know, a very important resource for game creators.
With Steamworks, game developers can use the same powerful platform that supports thousands of PC game titles. This system provides a lot of features for developers, like achievements, leaderboards, multiplayer matchmaking, and workshop integration. The best part for developers is that there are no licensing fees, and there is no charge for bandwidth when using Steamworks. This helps keep costs down for creators, which is a pretty big deal.
Steamworks also allows for things like sharing an application with another Steamworks partner for editing access. This is incredibly useful for collaborative game development. There are specific requirements, steps, and limitations to app sharing, and partners can even revoke or transfer an app's access. The depots attached to "steamworks common redist," and any other app, can be viewed on SteamDB by going to the depots page. These depots generally include a unique, human-friendly name, which helps in identifying them. You can check out more details about this on the SteamDB website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steamworks Shared
Here are some common questions people ask about the "steamworks shared" folder:
Is the "steamworks shared" folder safe to delete?
Yes, you can delete the "steamworks shared" folder. However, it is important to know that Steam will automatically redownload it if any of your installed games require the files inside it. So, it is not a permanent way to save space if you continue to play games that need those shared components.
What is the `_commonredist` folder inside "steamworks shared"?
The `_commonredist` folder, found within "steamworks shared," contains various types of redistributable packages. These are essential software components, like Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables and DirectX, that many games need to run properly. It is, you know, where all those common bits live.
How do I fix the "steamworks common redistributables error"?
Many users who have seen the "steamworks common redistributables error" notification have found fixes. You can try verifying the integrity of your game files through Steam, which often prompts a redownload of any missing or corrupted components. Deleting the "steamworks shared" folder and letting Steam redownload it when a game needs it can also resolve such issues. You can also check out this page for more Steam troubleshooting tips.
Final Thoughts on Steamworks Shared
The "steamworks shared" folder, though it might seem like just another collection of files, is actually a pretty clever system. It makes sure your games have all the necessary bits to run smoothly, all while trying to save you some disk space by centralizing common components. Understanding its purpose can really help when you are managing your Steam game collection. Learn more about Steam features on our site.
Whether you are moving it to a new location or just curious about deleting it, knowing how it works gives you more control over your gaming setup. It is, you know, a fairly straightforward concept once you get past the initial mystery.
This system is a testament to how Steam tries to make the gaming experience as seamless as possible. It is all about getting you into your games with less hassle, which is, honestly, what most players want.
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