File structures in Valve games

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.

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

C:

This is your system's C drive. It probably holds everything on your computer.

Program Files (x86)

This is where most programs you download will be installed to.

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. To do: 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. They probably 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; Portal 2 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 hl2 for Half-Life 2.

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

List of all mod folders: To do: add CSNZ and deleted scenes, DODS, TFC

Alien Swarm: Alien Swarm\swarm

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive: Counter-Strike Global Offensive\csgo

Counter-Strike: Source: counter-strike source\cstrike

CS:S (Half-Life 2 content): counter-strike source\hl2

Counter-Strike: Half-Life\cstrike

Day of Defeat: Half-Life\dod

Deathmatch Classic: Half-Life\dmc

Garry's Mod: GarrysMod\garrysmod

Half-Life: Half-Life\valve

HL: Blue Shift: Half-Life\bshift

HL: Opposing Force: Half-Life\gearbox

HLDM:Source: Half-Life 1 Source Deathmatch\hl1mp

HL:Source: Half-Life 2\hl1

Half-Life 2: Half-Life 2\hl2

HL2: Episode One: Half-Life 2\episodic

HL2: Episode Two: Half-Life 2\ep2

HL2: Lost Coast: Half-Life 2\lostcoast

HL2: Deathmatch: Half-Life 2 Deathmatch\hl2mp

HL2DM (HL2 content): Half-Life 2 Deathmatch\hl2

Left 4 Dead: left 4 dead\left4dead

L4D (To do: Description): left 4 dead\left4dead_dlc3

Left 4 Dead 2: Left 4 Dead 2\left4dead2

L4D2 (To do: Description): Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc1

L4D2 (To do: Description): Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc2

L4D2 (To do: Description): Left 4 Dead\left4dead2_dlc3

Portal: Portal\portal

Portal (HL2 content): Portal\hl2

Portal 2: Portal 2\portal2

Portal 2 (Art Therapy content): Portal 2\portal2_dlc1

Portal 2 (puzzlemaker content): Portal 2\portal2_dlc2

Ricochet: Half-Life\ricochet

Team Fortress 2: Team Fortress 2\tf

TF2 (HL2 content): Team Fortress 2\hl2

mapsrc

Usually not shipped with a game, but it's recommended you make and store VMFs in here so that your maps folder will not become cluttered.

cfg

Holds many configuration files. See CFG for more info on the files inside.

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.

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

Contains automatic screenshots and P2C files of any Portal 2 tests you've made with the in-game puzzlemaker.

reslists

To do: seen in Portal 2/portal2.

resource

Mostly contains files dealing with text and languages.

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

Not to be confused with SourceMod. (The server plugin}

Usually, a 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.