Where to Find Steam Workshop Files: Complete Location Guide


Last updated: January 2025 | By: Technical Documentation Team

Ever wondered where Steam actually stores those Workshop mods you've subscribed to? Whether you're backing up your favorite mods, troubleshooting issues, or manually managing mod files, knowing exactly where Workshop content lives on your computer is essential knowledge for any PC gamer.

This comprehensive guide covers every operating system, explains Steam's folder structure, and provides practical tips for managing Workshop files effectively.

Quick Answer: Default Workshop Locations

Windows

Primary Workshop Location:

```

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\

```

Alternative Steam Locations:

- Different drive: \`[Drive]:\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\\\`

- Program Files: \`C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\\\`

- Custom: Wherever you installed Steam

User-Specific Data:

```

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\[Game Name]\

C:\Users\[YourUsername]\Documents\My Games\[Game Name]\

```

macOS

Primary Workshop Location:

```

~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

```

Full Path:

```

/Users/[YourUsername]/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

```

Note: Library folder is hidden by default. Access it:

- Finder > Go menu > Hold Option key > Library appears

- Or Finder > Go > Go to Folder > type \`~/Library\`

Linux

Primary Workshop Location:

```

~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

```

Alternative Locations:

```

~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

/home/[username]/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

```

For Steam installed via Flatpak:

```

~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

```

Understanding Steam's Folder Structure

The Workshop Content Directory

When you navigate to the Workshop folder, you'll see numbered folders. Each number corresponds to a game's App ID:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/

├── 550/ (Left 4 Dead 2)

├── 255710/ (Cities: Skylines)

├── 289070/ (Civilization VI)

├── 294100/ (RimWorld)

└── 413150/ (Stardew Valley)

```

Inside Each Game's Folder

Each game folder contains numbered subfolders - these are individual Workshop item IDs:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/255710/

├── 123456789/ (Specific mod)

├── 234567890/ (Another mod)

├── 345678901/ (Yet another mod)

└── downloads/ (Temporary download folder)

```


Finding Your Game's App ID

Method 1: Steam Store Page

- Visit the game's Steam store page

- Look at URL: 'store.steampowered.com/app/APPID/GameName/'

- The number is the App ID

Method 2: Game Properties

- Right-click game in Steam library

- Properties > Updates

- App ID shown at top

Method 3: SteamDB

- Visit steamdb.info

- Search for your game

- App ID displayed prominently

Finding Workshop Item IDs

Method 1: Workshop Page URL

```

steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1234567890

```

The number after \`id=\` is the Workshop item ID.

Method 2: In-Game Mod Menu

Some games display Workshop IDs in their mod management screens.

Method 3: Check Folder Names

The folder names in the Workshop directory ARE the item IDs.

How to Locate Workshop Files (Step-by-Step)

Windows - Step-by-Step

Step 1: Find Your Steam Installation

1. Open Steam

2. Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders

3. Note the path(s) shown - your games and Workshop content are here

Step 2: Navigate to Workshop Folder

1. Open File Explorer

2. Navigate to \`[Steam Install Path]\steamapps\workshop\content\\\`

3. Or paste path into address bar: \`C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\\\`

Step 3: Find Your Game

1. Identify game's App ID (see methods above)

2. Open folder with that number

3. All Workshop items for this game are inside

Quick Navigation Tip:

Press \`Windows + R\`, type:

```

explorer C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content

```

Hit Enter.

macOS - Step-by-Step

Step 1: Show Hidden Library Folder

1. Open Finder

2. Click "Go" menu

3. Hold Option/Alt key

4. Click "Library" (now visible)

Step 2: Navigate to Workshop

```

Library > Application Support > Steam > steamapps > workshop > content

```

Quick Navigation Tip:

1. Finder > Go > Go to Folder (Cmd+Shift+G)

2. Paste: \`~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content\`

3. Press Enter

Linux - Step-by-Step

Step 1: Open File Manager or Terminal

File Manager:

- Press Ctrl+H to show hidden files

- Navigate to home folder

- Enter \`.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content\`

Terminal:

\`\`\`bash

cd ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content

ls

```

Step 2: Find Your Game

\`\`\`bash

List games with Workshop content

ls -l

Navigate to specific game (e.g., Cities: Skylines - 255710)

cd 255710

List all Workshop items for this game

ls -l

```

Game-Specific Workshop Locations

Some games copy Workshop files to additional locations for easier access:

Cities: Skylines

Workshop Source:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/255710/

```

Active Mods (Windows):

```

%LOCALAPPDATA%Colossal OrderCities_SkylinesAddonsMods```

Active Assets (Windows):

```

%LOCALAPPDATA%Colossal OrderCities_SkylinesAddonsAssets```

Cities: Skylines creates hard links or copies files from Workshop to these locations when you subscribe.

Garry's Mod

Workshop Source:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/4000/

```

Also Check:

```

steamapps/common/GarrysMod/garrysmod/addons/

```

GMod can have both Workshop and manually installed addons.

Left 4 Dead 2

Workshop Source:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/550/

```

Game Also Checks:

```

steamapps/common/Left 4 Dead 2/left4dead2/addons/

```

Stellaris

Workshop Source:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/281990/

```

Mod Descriptor Files:

```

Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/mod/

```

Stellaris uses descriptor (.mod) files in Documents while actual mod data stays in Workshop folder.

Skyrim Special Edition

Workshop Source:

```

steamapps/workshop/content/489830/

```

If Using Mod Organizer:

Mods may be virtualized and not actually in game folder. Check MO2's mod list and paths.

Backing Up Workshop Content

Why Backup Workshop Files?

Important Reasons:

- Mod authors can delete their Workshop items

- Steam can have download issues

- You want to preserve specific versions

- Game updates might break mods

- Switching computers or reinstalling

Manual Backup Method

Windows Example:

1. Navigate to Workshop folder

2. Identify game folder (by App ID)

3. Copy entire game folder to backup location

4. Recommended structure:

```

D:Workshop Backups├── 255710 - Cities Skylines│ └── [date - 2025-01-02]│ ├── 123456789│ └── 234567890└── 294100 - RimWorld └── [date - 2025-01-02] └── [workshop items]```

Automated Backup Script (Windows)

PowerShell Script:

\`\`\`powershell

Steam Workshop Backup Script

$steamPath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content"

$backupPath = "D:\Workshop Backups"

$date = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd"

Backup specific game (e.g., Cities: Skylines - 255710)

$gameID = "255710"

$source = "$steamPath\\$gameID"

$destination = "$backupPath\\$gameID\\$date"

Copy-Item -Path $source -Destination $destination -Recurse

Write-Host "Backup completed to $destination"

```

Save as \`BackupWorkshop.ps1\` and run in PowerShell.

Linux Backup Script

\`\`\`bash

!/bin/bash

Steam Workshop Backup Script

STEAM_PATH="$HOME/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content"

BACKUP_PATH="$HOME/workshop_backups"

DATE=$(date +%Y-%m-%d)

Game ID (e.g., 255710 for Cities: Skylines)

GAME_ID="255710"

Create backup

mkdir -p "$BACKUP_PATH/$GAME_ID"

cp -r "$STEAM_PATH/$GAME_ID" "$BACKUP_PATH/$GAME_ID/$DATE"

echo "Backup completed: $BACKUP_PATH/$GAME_ID/$DATE"

```

Save as \`backup_workshop.sh\`, make executable: \`chmod +x backup_workshop.sh\`

Restoring Workshop Content

From Backup to Steam

Method 1: Copy to Workshop Folder

1. Navigate to \`steamapps/workshop/content/[GAME_ID]/\`

2. Copy backed-up folders here

3. Restart Steam

4. Steam should recognize existing files

Method 2: Subscribe and Replace

1. Subscribe to item on Workshop (starts download)

2. Pause download in Steam

3. Copy your backup files to the item's folder

4. Resume download - Steam verifies existing files

Manual Installation (Without Steam Workshop)

Some games allow using Workshop files directly:

Example - Cities: Skylines:

1. Copy Workshop item folder

2. Paste to \`%LOCALAPPDATA%\Colossal Order\Cities_Skylines\Addons\Mods\\\`

3. Rename folder to something readable

4. Enable in Content Manager

Troubleshooting File Location Issues

"Can't Find Workshop Folder"

Solutions:

1. Check if games are on different drive:

- Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders

- Check all listed paths

2. Steam installed in non-standard location:

- Right-click Steam shortcut > Open File Location

- Navigate from there

3. Running Steam from external drive:

- Check the external drive's Steam folder

"Workshop Folder is Empty"

Possible Causes:

- No subscribed Workshop items for any game

- Looking at wrong Steam installation (multiple installs)

- Steam Cloud sync issue

Solutions:

- Subscribe to a Workshop item

- Check downloads in Steam > Downloads

- Verify files aren't downloading to different library folder

"Can't Access Folder (Permission Denied)"

Windows:

1. Right-click folder > Properties

2. Security tab > Advanced

3. Change owner to your user account

4. Apply to all subfolders

macOS:

\`\`\`bash

sudo chmod -R 755 ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/

```

Linux:

\`\`\`bash

sudo chown -R $USER:$USER ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/

```

"Workshop Files Taking Up Too Much Space"

Check Space Usage (Windows):

\`\`\`powershell

Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content" -Recurse |

Measure-Object -Property Length -Sum |

Select-Object @{Name="Size(GB)";Expression={[math]::Round($_.Sum/1GB,2)}}

```

Solutions:

- Unsubscribe from unused Workshop items

- Use Steam's "Clear Download Cache" (Settings > Downloads)

- Delete Workshop content for uninstalled games

- Move Steam library to larger drive

Advanced Tips

Symbolic Links for Custom Locations

Want Workshop files elsewhere? Use symbolic links:

Windows (Run as Administrator):

\`\`\`batch

mklink /D "D:\My Workshop Files\255710" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\255710"

```

Linux/macOS:

\`\`\`bash

ln -s ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/255710 ~/Documents/Workshop/255710

```

Monitoring Workshop Updates

Create a script to log file changes:

Windows - PowerShell:

\`\`\`powershell

$watcher = New-Object System.IO.FileSystemWatcher

$watcher.Path = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\255710"

$watcher.IncludeSubdirectories = $true

$watcher.EnableRaisingEvents = $true

Register-ObjectEvent $watcher "Changed" -Action {

$path = $Event.SourceEventArgs.FullPath

$changeType = $Event.SourceEventArgs.ChangeType

Write-Host "$path was $changeType at $(Get-Date)"

}

```

Finding Specific File Types

Search for all .lua files in Workshop:

Windows:

\`\`\`batch

dir /s /b "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\*.lua"

```

Linux/macOS:

\`\`\`bash

find ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content -name "*.lua"

```

Conclusion

Understanding where Steam stores Workshop files unlocks powerful control over your modding experience. Whether you're backing up favorite mods, troubleshooting installation issues, or manually managing content, knowing these file locations is essential for any serious PC gamer.

Key Takeaways:

- Workshop content lives in \`steamapps/workshop/content/[APP_ID]/[ITEM_ID]/\`

- Each game and Workshop item has a unique numerical ID

- Location varies by operating system but follows consistent structure

- Backups are crucial - mod authors can delete content anytime

- Many games copy Workshop files to additional user-friendly locations

Bookmark this guide and refer back whenever you need to dive into your Workshop files. With this knowledge, you're equipped to take full control of your modding setup!

---

*Updated January 2025. Paths verified on Windows 11, macOS Sonoma, and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. For additional help, consult game-specific modding communities.*