While playing games on Windows, you will have to download many other files so that the game will work well. These are certain components that you will have to install on your computer for running different applications. Steamworks is also a tool suite for using games or software on the Steam platform. With Steamworks, there will be optimized settings that enable the smooth running of the games on Windows computers.
Steamworks Common Redistributables are bundled and sent to your PC. These are OpenAL, DirectX Redistributable, .NETFramework, PhysX, and Visual C++ (2010, 2013, 2015). Steamworks Common Redistributables help to save storage as well as bandwidth. While downloading any game from Steam, it will automatically download and install the specific file or tool.
We can say that Steamworks Common Redistributables are one-time install programs for using games. You don’t have to install them again and again. They are sent as OTA updates when there are new patches. The makers of Steam came up with Valve which is responsible for designing and maintaining Steamwork Common Redistributables. They are available for 32-bit and 64-bit computers.
How does Steamworks Common Redistributables Work?
When you download any game through steam that requires common redistributable, all the files will be downloaded. If you happen to download another game that needs the same redistributables, it will not download the same again. The game will automatically recognize the already installed redistributables. This helps save disk space, CPU usage, and internet data. You will also be able to save time.
This was not the case before Steamworks Common Redistributables was launched. When you downloaded more than one game from DirectX, you will end up with more than one same redistributables on your computer system. Also, you don’t have to worry about optimizing and updating the redistributables. However, it has to be noted that you must not delete the common redistributables folder. By deleting the folder you will end up losing essential files that can crash the game while launching.
How to Hide Steamworks Common Redistributables?
Previously, the common redistributable folder was hidden. It used to get updated in the background. However, with the recent update, the folder is now visible and it can be very annoying for many. Thankfully there is a way to hide the folder. Even though this option is not available in the Steam Library, you will be able to do it by following these steps.
Step 1: Open the Steam Library.
Step 2: Right-click on the folder “Steamworks Common Redistributables.”
Step 3: Click “Manage.”
Step 4: Select the option “Hide this game.”
The folder will now be hidden in the library. You can even unhide it by going to the tab “Hidden.”
How to Use Steamworks Common Redistributables?
Steamworks Common Redistributables is very helpful for many including developers. You will be able to use it in the following way.
Step 1: Go to the panel Steamworks App Admin.
Step 2: Navigate to the tab “Installation.”
Step 3: Select “Redistributables.”
Step 4: Look for the redistributables required by your game.
Step 5: Publish your changes.
Should I Delete Steamworks Common Redistributables?
Your games will crash while launching when there are no Steamworks Common Redistributables. If you happen to remove the common redistributables, you will experience problems while playing or launching the game. For this reason, you must not delete the Steamworks Common Redistributables.
Even while downloading a new game, it will look for the available common redistributable file and integrate it for working. If you happen to remove the common redistributable file, you can download it on Steam. While updating the redistributables manually, you need not worry about space. However, if the game is of no use to you, you can go ahead and delete the common redistributable files.
Conclusion
Steamworks Common Redistributables folder lets you save space, time, and data. You don’t have to worry about deleting it as you can hide it conveniently. The best thing about the redistributables is that the same common redistributable will work for many games. However, deleting the files will make you face problems while playing the games. We hope that you understand the importance of Steamworks Common Redistributables and how it works.
