How do I check what version of a game I have on Steam?

As an avid PC gamer with over 200 games in my Steam library, keeping track of version numbers is important to stay on top of the latest updates, features, and bug fixes released by developers. While it only takes a few clicks to find, knowing your exact game version can make a big difference.

Follow These Simple Steps

Finding your Steam game version is easy. Just:

1. Open your Steam library and right click on the game
2. Select "Properties" from the menu
3. Go to the "Local Files" tab
4. Click on "Browse Local Files"
5. Right click on the game‘s .exe file
6. Go to "Properties" again
7. Under the "Details" tab, check the File Version number

This file version string shows the exact build of the game you have installed.

Why Check Game Versions?

As a fellow gamer, I understand first-hand the importance of staying updated. Major game releases now evolve over time with developers continuously pushing out fixes for bugs, optimizing performance, and dropping new content.

Over the last 12 months, popular games have seen frequent updates:

Having the latest game version guarantees you have all the newest features and improvements by the developers. It prevents glitches, crashes, and other issues already patched.

Enable Auto-Updates

Rather than continually checking versions manually, enable auto-updates:

1. Open Steam > Settings > Downloads
2. Check "Automatic updates"

This automatically downloads game patches in the background whenever you have Steam running. Convenient!

Verify Integrity to Fix Corrupted Files

If you notice game crashes, errors, or bugs after updating, use the "Verify Integrity" process. This scans your full game install and repairs any corrupted files.

Right click your game > Properties > Local Files > Verify. Steam will check files and replace anything damaged. This often resolves odd issues that appear over time.

Downgrade Game Versions If Needed

In special cases, reverting your game version can be useful if a recent update causes severe issues for your system. While complex, downgrading is possible by:

1. Finding your game‘s depot version ID number
2. Using Steam console to download older manifest
3. Replacing game files with those from old version
4. Disabling auto-updates so it doesn‘t override the downgrade

I only suggest downgrading as a last resort troubleshooting step until developers fix any update bugs. But the capability is there if absolutely needed!

Stay Updated, Stay Gaming!

I hope these tips help you effortlessly check game versions on Steam! As fellow passionate gamers, staying on top of developers‘ constant improvements ensures peak performance and the best experiences in our libraries. We play on the bleeding edge here.

Have your own tips for managing Steam updates or stories of problematic game versions? Share with me in the comments!