How to Add Minecraft to Steam on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Minecraft is one of the most beloved games of all time. Millions of players build, explore, and survive in its blocky worlds every day. But if you’re a PC gamer, you might be wondering: Can I add Minecraft to Steam on Windows 11?

The short answer is yes — even though Minecraft isn’t officially sold on Steam, you can add it as a non-Steam game. This lets you launch it directly from your Steam library, enjoy Steam Overlay features, and even stream Minecraft to other devices via Steam Remote Play.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adding Minecraft to Steam on Windows 11 — step by step.

Why Add Minecraft to Steam?

Before diving into the how-to, let’s answer the “why.” Adding Minecraft to Steam brings some clear benefits:

Centralized Library – Keep all your games in one place.
Steam Overlay – Access the in-game browser, chat, and screenshots.
Controller Support – Configure and use controllers through Steam Input.
Remote Play – Stream Minecraft to another PC, Steam Deck, or even your TV.
Tracking Playtime – See how many hours you’ve spent mining and crafting.

Which Version of Minecraft Can You Add to Steam?

There are two main editions of Minecraft for Windows:

Minecraft: Java Edition – The classic version, popular with modders.
Minecraft for Windows (Bedrock Edition) – The Microsoft Store version with cross-platform play.

Both can be added to Steam, but the method may differ slightly.

Step 1: Install Minecraft on Your PC

Before you can add Minecraft to Steam, make sure the game is installed.

For Java Edition

Download the launcher from the official Minecraft website.
Install it as usual.

For Bedrock Edition

Open the Microsoft Store on Windows 11.
Search for Minecraft for Windows.
Install it on your PC.

Step 2: Open Steam

Launch Steam on your Windows 11 PC.
Log into your account.
Go to your Library tab.

Step 3: Add Minecraft as a Non-Steam Game

In the top-left corner, click Games.
Select Add a Non-Steam Game to My Library.
A list of installed programs will appear.

Step 4: Locate Minecraft in the List

For Java Edition, look for Minecraft Launcher.
For Bedrock Edition, you may not see it listed directly. In that case:
1. Click Browse.
2. Navigate to where Minecraft is installed.
3. Select the launcher .exe file.

Step 5: Add to Steam Library

Check the box next to Minecraft.
Click Add Selected Programs.
Minecraft will now appear in your Steam Library.

Step 6: Customize Minecraft in Steam

Once Minecraft is in Steam, you can personalize it.

Rename the Shortcut → Right-click, choose Properties, and change the name.
Add Custom Artwork → Right-click, select Manage > Set custom artwork.
Enable Steam Overlay → Ensure the option is checked in properties.

Step 7: Enable Controller Support (Optional)

If you want to use a controller:

Right-click Minecraft in Steam.
Select Properties > Controller.
Choose Enable Steam Input.
Configure your controller layout in Steam settings.

Step 8: Launch Minecraft from Steam

Now you can launch Minecraft directly from your Steam Library. Steam Overlay, playtime tracking, and controller support should all work.

Alternative Method: Add Minecraft with a Custom Shortcut

If Steam can’t detect your launcher automatically:

Create a desktop shortcut for Minecraft.
Drag and drop the shortcut into your Steam Library.
Edit properties if needed.

Bonus: Add Mods Like OptiFine or Forge

If you play with mods, you can add modded launchers to Steam as well.

Install OptiFine or Forge.
Add their .exe files to Steam using the same method.
Launch directly with mods enabled.

How to Add Bedrock Edition with PowerShell (Advanced)

Since Bedrock Edition comes from the Microsoft Store, sometimes Steam struggles to find the executable. Here’s a workaround:

Open PowerShell as administrator.
Type:

get-appxpackage *minecraft*
Copy the install location path.
Use that path when browsing for the launcher in Steam.

Using Steam Remote Play with Minecraft

Once Minecraft is in Steam, you can:

Stream it to another PC on your network.
Play it on your Steam Deck.
Share the game with friends using Remote Play Together (Java Edition only).

Troubleshooting Tips

Minecraft doesn’t launch from Steam → Make sure the path to the launcher is correct.
Steam Overlay isn’t working → Check if it’s enabled under properties.
Controller not responding → Enable Steam Input under controller settings.
Bedrock Edition missing → Try the PowerShell method.

Tips for Enhancing Minecraft on Steam

Add a custom banner for Minecraft in your Steam library.
Use Big Picture Mode for controller-based navigation.
Track your achievements and screenshots via Steam Overlay.

Advantages of Adding Minecraft to Steam

Launch Minecraft alongside your other games.
Enjoy Steam-exclusive features like overlay and controller mapping.
Stream Minecraft to other devices using Steam Link.
Show off your Minecraft hours to friends.

Conclusion

Even though Minecraft isn’t officially sold on Steam, you can still add it as a non-Steam game and enjoy all the perks of the Steam ecosystem. Whether you play the Java Edition or Bedrock Edition, following the steps above will let you launch Minecraft directly from Steam, enable controller support, and even stream it to other devices.

It’s a small tweak, but it makes your gaming experience smoother and more connected.

FAQs

1. Can I add both Java and Bedrock Editions to Steam?
Yes, you can add both versions separately as non-Steam games.

2. Does adding Minecraft to Steam give me achievements?
No, since Minecraft isn’t an official Steam game, you won’t get Steam achievements.

3. Will mods work if I launch Minecraft through Steam?
Yes, as long as you add the correct launcher (Forge, OptiFine, etc.) to Steam.

4. Can I play Minecraft on Steam Deck using this method?
Yes, adding Minecraft to your Steam Library makes it accessible on Steam Deck.

5. Does adding Minecraft to Steam affect performance?
No, it doesn’t affect performance — it just changes how you launch the game.