View source for File structures in Valve games

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{{Todo|Add a seperate section for GoldSrc and Source 2.}}
This information is from a Windows 10 computer. Some things may not apply for users on other operating systems. It may also be different if you have a non-standard installation of your operating system, Steam, or any game.

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*'''C:'''
**'''Program Files (x86)'''
***'''Steam'''
****'''steamapps'''
*****'''common'''
******'''Game Folders'''
*******'''mod folders'''
*****'''sourcemods'''

====C:====
This is your system's <code>C</code> drive. It probably holds ''everything'' on your computer.

====Program Files (x86)====
This is where most 32-bit programs you download will be installed to if you have 64-bit operating systems. For 32-bit operating systems, only Program Files folder exist.
<Br>All 64-bit Steam games would install on this location.

==Steam==
This folder is where most data for Steam is kept on your computer.

==steamapps==
This folder holds all or nearly all games and mods. Most things outside of this folder are just for the Steam program itself. Such as ACF files which was used to show installed games on the Steam Library. {{todo|Expand on what's in here.}}

==common==
This holds all or nearly all the games (and some tools) you've downloaded from Steam. The folders in here are known as '''game folders'''. Some of them will have the exact same names as the game names on their Steam store pages.

==game folder==
The name of a game folder usually clearly states what's inside it; <code>Portal 2</code> contains everything for the game, Portal 2. For Source games, this includes base engine things, such as Hammer and integration with Steam (for achievements, playing status, etc).

==mod folder==
Mod folders hold all the content that a regular player sees while playing a game. Mod folders can use content from other mod folders in the same game folder, using [[gameinfo.txt]]. Confusingly, one is also called a [[game directory]] sometimes.

Usually named after an abbreviation for a game, such as <code>hl2</code> for Half-Life 2.

Folders under a mod folder will replace corresponding content inside a [[VPK]]. For example, if you put a file at <code>modfolder\models\player\player.mdl</code>, it would replace the file at <code>VPKNAME.vpk\models\player\player.mdl</code>.

List of all mod folders: {{todo|add CSNZ (Nexon Studio) and deleted scenes, DODS}}
{{ExpandBox|
{{as}}Alien Swarm: <code>Alien Swarm\swarm</code>

{{csgo}}Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: <code>Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo</code>

{{css}}Counter-Strike: Source: <code>counter-strike source\cstrike</code>

{{css}}CS:S (Half-Life 2 content): <code>counter-strike source\hl2</code>

{{cs}}Counter-Strike: <code>Half-Life\cstrike</code>

{{cscz}}Counter-Strike: Condition Zero: <code>Half-Life\czero</code>

{{czds}}CS Condition Zero Deleted Scenes: <code>Half-Life\czeror</code>

{{dod}}Day of Defeat: <code>Half-Life\dod</code>

{{dmc}}Deathmatch Classic: <code>Half-Life\dmc</code>

{{GMOD}}Garry's Mod: <code>GarrysMod\garrysmod</code>

{{hl1}}Half-Life: <code>Half-Life\valve</code>

{{hlbs}}HL: Blue Shift: <code>Half-Life\bshift</code>

{{hlop4}}HL: Opposing Force: <code>Half-Life\gearbox</code>

{{hldms}}HLDM:Source: <code>Half-Life 1 Source Deathmatch\hl1mp</code>

{{hls}}HL:Source: <code>Half-Life 2\hl1</code>

{{hl2}}Half-Life 2: <code>Half-Life 2\hl2</code>

{{hl2ep1}}HL2: Episode One: <code>Half-Life 2\episodic</code>

{{hl2ep2}}HL2: Episode Two: <code>Half-Life 2\ep2</code>

{{hl2lc}}HL2: Lost Coast: <code>Half-Life 2\lostcoast</code>

{{hl2dm}}HL2: Deathmatch: <code>Half-Life 2 Deathmatch\hl2mp</code>

{{hl2}}HL2DM (HL2 content): <code>Half-Life 2 Deathmatch\hl2</code>

{{l4d}}Left 4 Dead: <code>left 4 dead\left4dead</code>

{{l4d}}L4D (The Sacrifice DLC): <code>left 4 dead\left4dead_dlc3</code>

{{l4d2}}Left 4 Dead 2: <code>Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2</code>

{{l4d2}}L4D2 (The Passing DLC): <code>Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc1</code>

{{l4d2}}L4D2 (L4D1 content): <code>Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc2</code>

{{l4d2}}L4D2 (More L4D1 content and Cold Stream): <code>Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc3</code>

{{portal}}Portal: <code>Portal\portal</code>

{{portal}}Portal (HL2 content): <code>Portal\hl2</code>

{{portal2}}Portal 2: <code>Portal 2\portal2</code>

{{portal2}}Portal 2 (Art Therapy content): <code>Portal 2\portal2_dlc1</code>

{{portal2}}Portal 2 (puzzlemaker content): <code>Portal 2\portal2_dlc2</code>

{{ricochet}}Ricochet: <code>Half-Life\ricochet</code>

{{tfc}}Team Fortress Classic: <code>Team Fortress 2\tfc</code>

{{tf2}}Team Fortress 2: <code>Team Fortress 2\tf</code>

{{tf2}}TF2 (HL2 content): <code>Team Fortress 2\hl2</code>
}}

===addons===
This folder is not created by default in most games, but most plugins such as [[SourceMod]] and MetaMod: Source are usually installed on this directory.

In games such as {{p3|1}}, and all or most games since {{l4dbranch|1}}, this is where custom content was installed, such as: custom models, maps, sounds, etc...; In {{l4dbranch|1}} (or in some games), only [[VPK]] files were supported for custom content. 

This folder was also used by {{gmod|1}} for it's custom content (such as Lua scripts, and other mentioned above). They either contains folders or [[GMA]] file.

===cfg===
Holds many configuration files. See [[CFG]] for more info on the files inside.

===custom===
{{src13|only}}
Similar to {{code|addons}} in {{l4dbranch|1}} games, except both folders and [[VPK|VPKs]] are supported.

===logos===
Contains spraypaints for a multiplayer game.

===manual===
Contains a manual explaining a multiplayer game.

===maps===
Holds all the [[BSP]] files for a game.

====maps\workshop====
For games that allow workshop content, maps downloaded from the workshop will be stored in here.

====maps\graphs====
Stores [[AIN]] files used by AI systems.

===mapsrc===
Usually not shipped with a game, but it's recommended you make and store [[VMFs]] in here so that your <code>maps</code> folder will not become cluttered.

===media===
Usually holds [[BIK]] files. (Video files for things such as the startup video)

===models===
Stores models.

===particles===
May hold manifest files (particles_manifest.txt) or [[PCF]] files.

===puzzles {{portal2}}===
Contains automatic screenshots and [[P2C]] files of any Portal 2 tests you've made with the in-game puzzlemaker.

===reslists/downloadlists===
See [[Content_Streaming]].

===resource===
Contains various files dealing with text and languages, and other [[VGUI]] resources.

===SAVE===
Contains all [[Save Game Files]].

===scenes===
Contains [[scenes.image]].

===screenshots===
Self-expanatory.

===scripts===
Contains many files defining properties for [[weapons]], [[vehicles]], [[soundscapes]], and more.

===.vpk===
A [[VPK]] can hold most things one would find in the folders under a mod folder directory. Some things have to specifically be placed inside or outside of a VPK.

==sourcemods==
{{distinguish|SourceMod|desc1=The server plugin}}

Usually, a {{src|1}} mod that isn't available on Steam can be manually placed here. Steam will recognize a non-Steam mod if it is in this folder and the mod is configured properly.

[[Category:Files]]