Steam Frame Hardware Files: What They Include
This article explains what the hardware files inside a Steam game’s frame (the folder that holds the game’s executable and data) include and what they typically do not include. The short answer: they include the low-level configuration files that describe the game’s CPU, GPU, memory, and input device requirements, but they do not include the game’s actual assets, save data, or user settings.
Background: What Is a Steam Frame?
In the context of Steam, the term “frame” is not an official Valve term. It usually refers to the directory structure that Steam creates for each installed game. This folder, often called the “game install directory” or “app manifest folder,” contains the game’s executable, DLLs, and various configuration files. The “hardware files” are the subset of these files that relate to how the game interacts with the computer’s physical components.
Valve’s Steam client itself does not have a single “hardware file” for every game. Instead, each game’s folder contains a mix of files that Steam uses to run the game, verify its integrity, and apply updates. The most common hardware-related files are the ones that store the game’s graphics, audio, and input settings, which are often generated on first launch.
What the Hardware Files Typically Include
These files are usually plain-text or XML-based configuration files. They include:
- Graphics settings: Resolution, refresh rate, texture quality, anti-aliasing, vsync, and shadow detail.
- Audio settings: Output device, sample rate, volume levels, and whether to use surround sound.
- Input configuration: Key bindings, controller mappings, mouse sensitivity, and inverted Y-axis options.
- Performance preferences: Frame rate limits, dynamic resolution scaling, and graphics API selection (e.g., DirectX, Vulkan).
- Hardware detection logs: Some games write a small log file that records the CPU model, GPU model, and amount of RAM detected, which is used for auto-detecting optimal settings.
For example, a game like Counter-Strike 2 stores its video settings in a file called cs2_video.txt inside the game/csgo/cfg folder. Similarly, many Unity or Unreal Engine games store settings in a settings.ini or GameUserSettings.ini file in the user’s AppData or Documents folder, not in the game’s install directory.
What They Do Not Include
Hardware files do not include the game’s core assets, such as 3D models, textures, sound files, or level geometry. Those are typically stored in compressed archive files (like .pak, .vpk, or .uasset) and are not meant to be edited by users. They also do not include:
- Save game data: Saved progress is stored separately, usually in a user-specific folder like
Documents/My Gamesor in Steam’s user data directory. - Steam configuration: The Steam client’s own settings, such as library folders, download bandwidth, or friend lists, are stored in the Steam installation folder, not in the game’s frame.
- DRM or licensing files: Steam’s DRM (Digital Rights Management) is handled by the Steam client itself, not by the game’s hardware files.
- User-generated content: Mods, custom maps, and user-created settings are usually kept in separate folders to avoid being overwritten by game updates.
How to Locate and Read Them
To find a game’s hardware files, you first need to locate the game’s install directory. In Steam, right-click the game, select Manage > Browse local files. This opens the folder where the game is installed. From there, look for folders named cfg, config, settings, or saved. These are the most likely places to find hardware configuration files.
Many games also store user-specific settings in the AppData folder. Press Win+R, type %appdata%, and look for a folder with the game’s name or the developer’s name. For example, Civilization VI stores its options in Documents/My Games/Sid Meier's Civilization VI, while Cyberpunk 2077 stores them in AppData/Local/CD Projekt Red.
To read these files, you can use any text editor like Notepad or Visual Studio Code. They are usually plain text or JSON/XML, so they are human-readable. However, some games use binary settings files that are not easily edited by hand; in those cases, it is safer to change settings in-game.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that deleting a game’s hardware files will reset the game to default settings. This is often true, but it can also cause the game to re-detect hardware and re-optimize, which may lead to a temporary performance dip. Another misconception is that these files are “safe to delete” to free up space. In reality, they are tiny (usually a few kilobytes) and deleting them will not affect the game’s size meaningfully.
Another issue is that some games store hardware settings in the cloud via Steam Cloud. If you delete a local hardware file, Steam may re-download the old one from the cloud, undoing your change. To avoid this, disable Steam Cloud for that game before editing the files.
Also, editing these files while the game is running can cause crashes or corrupted settings. Always close the game before modifying any configuration file. If a file becomes corrupted, the game may fail to launch; in that case, you can right-click the game in Steam, select Properties > Installed Files > Verify integrity of game files to restore the original files.
How to Choose the Right Settings
When editing hardware files manually, you should base your choices on your system’s specifications. For example, if you have a GPU with 8GB of VRAM, setting texture quality to “Ultra” might cause stuttering if the game needs more than 8GB. A better approach is to use the game’s built-in benchmark or auto-detect feature, which reads your hardware and sets values accordingly.
If you do edit manually, follow these steps:
- Backup the original file.
- Change one setting at a time.
- Launch the game to test stability.
- If the game crashes, revert to the backup.
Remember that frame rate is not the only measure of performance; input latency and frame pacing matter too. Some settings like vsync can increase latency, so you may prefer to cap the frame rate instead.
Safety and Best Practices
Always make a backup before editing any hardware file. If you are not sure what a setting does, look it up online or leave it at its default. Incorrect values can cause the game to crash at launch or render incorrectly. Also, be cautious with files that contain “auto” or “detect” flags; they may override your manual settings on the next launch.
Do not share your hardware files with others, as they may contain your Steam ID or other account-specific identifiers. Also, be aware that some anti-cheat systems (like VAC) may flag modified game files if they are in the game’s root directory. Keep your edits to the user settings folder, not the game’s executable folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete hardware files to improve performance?
No. Deleting them will only reset your settings to default, which may actually lower performance if you had tuned them for your system. It will not free up significant space or speed up the game.
Where are Steam game hardware files stored?
Most are in the game’s install directory under folders like cfg or settings. Some are in the user’s AppData or Documents folder. The exact location varies by game engine.
Do hardware files sync with Steam Cloud?
Some games do sync settings via Steam Cloud, but not all. You can check if a game uses Steam Cloud by looking at its Properties page in Steam. If it does, you can disable it temporarily to prevent overwrites.
Why does my game reset its settings after an update?
Updates sometimes change the format of configuration files, forcing a reset. This is normal. If it happens frequently, you can back up your settings file and restore it after the update.
Are hardware files the same as save files?
No. Save files contain your progress, while hardware files contain your system-specific preferences. They are stored separately and serve different purposes.
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