How to Use Steam Keys

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Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Tested

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• On the Steam Website
|
• On the Steam Desktop Client

|Show more |Show less

This wikiHow teaches you how to use Steam keys. When you purchase a game from a retail store, you receive a product code in the package. The product code can be used to register the game on Steam as well as Steam keys you may have redeemed from other sources. Steam keys can be redeemed through the Steam website or through the Steam Desktop Client.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

On the Steam Website

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1. 
   1
   Go to https://store.steampowered.com/account/registerkey in a web browser. Open your preferred web browser and go to the Steam Key Registry page.
2. 
   2
   Log in to your account. If you have not logged into Steam through a web browser, you will need to type your username and password to log into Steam.

   • If you don't have a Steam account, click "Join Now" to create a free Steam account.
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3. 
   3
   Type the Steam key. Click the bar labeled "Product Code" and type the key in the bar.
4. 
   4
   Click the checkbox below the text field. Click the checkbox below the product code bar to indicate that agree to the terms of the Steam Subscriber Agreement. Click "Steam Subscriber Agreement" to read the agreement in full.
5. 
   5
   Click Continue. This will redeem the Steam Key on your account.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

On the Steam Desktop Client

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1. 
   1
   Open the Steam Desktop client. It's the app that has a blue icon with an image that resembles a white mechanical crank.
2. 
   2
   Click Games. It's in the menu bar at the top of the Steam client.

   • If you don't see the main Steam page when you first start Steam, right-click on the steam icon in the bottom-right corner of the taskbar and select Library.
3. 
   3
   Click Activate a Product on Steam. It's the second option in the drop-down menu. A popup will appear.
4. 
   4
   Click Next in the popup. This will take you to the Steam Subscriber Agreement.
5. 
   5
   Click I Agree. This will indicate that you agree to the Steam Subscriber Agreement. You can read the Steam Subscriber Agreement in the popup.
6. 
   6
   Type the Steam key in the box. Click the box labeled "Product Code" and type the Steam key.
7. 
   7
   Click Next. The Steam key has been registered and your product has been registered.
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