Steam

Links to external resources about Steam
What are the differences between the Standalone DCS World and the Steam version?
Can I use my modules purchased from ED Store on Steam?
How to transfer keyless DCS modules purchased on STEAM?
Steam modules are not authorized
My Steam DCS installation crash / does not work properly anymore, is there any way to fix it?
How to switch to openbeta version?
I already purchased a module through Steam, but now it’s available for sale. What can I do?
How to launch DCS World Multithreading in VR
My Steam DCS World does not show any key!
Can I have both the standalone and Steam versions of DCS installed? Do they share settings? Are there any negative side-effects?
Why am I receiving a 403 error when trying to use my modules in Steam?
Are patches/updates for the Steam version of DCS released at the same time as the standalone? Is this a source of potential issues if both are installed and used between updates?
How to remove a free trial module on Steam
How do I add command line arguments to a Steam shortcut?

Links to external resources about Steam

Very recommended threads on ED forums for Steam users:

https://forum.dcs.world/forum/284-steam-support/

STEAM Discussion board about DCS World

http://steamcommunity.com/app/223750/discussions/

a link to the Steam Support pages
https://help.steampowered.com/en/wizard/HelpWithGame/?appid=223750

Perhaps you were finding for updates to previously purchased products:

DCS: Black Shark 3 Upgrade:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2228050/DCS_Black_Shark_3_Upgrade/

DCS: A-10C II Tank Killer Upgrade:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1431030/DCS_A10C_II_Tank_Killer_Upgrade/

DCS: Normandy 2 Upgrade from Normandy 1944 (if you already have a map of Normandy 1944):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2314970/DCS_Normandy_2_Upgrade_from_Normandy_1944/

DCS: Normandy 2.0 Upgrade from The Channel (if you already have a map Channel):
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2404030/DCS_Normandy_20_Upgrade_from_The_Channel/

What are the differences between the Standalone DCS World and the Steam version?

Steam Version:
- Auto-Update without launching the game (as long as steam is open)
- Faster Download/Update Speed
- Steam In-Game Overlay
- Steam Friend List Notifications
- Quick Repair
- DLCs not present on Steam are unsupported

Standalone DCS World:
- Get all the modules as soon as they are released
- Does not require any extra program to be launched
- Has every single modules available

If you are fine with waiting for most product to be available on Steam and like most of the Steam feature, the Steam version might be for you.
If you own unsupported products such as Upgrades / FC3 or do not care about the Steam functionalities, Standalone DCS World might be for you.

Can I use my modules purchased from ED Store on Steam?

Note: from 06/07/2014, License Keys purchased from ED, Gamefly or other External Sources will no longer activate on Steam.

See Key Merges to Steam Ending: https://forum.dcs.world/topic/104590-key-merges-to-steam-ending

How to transfer keyless DCS modules purchased on STEAM?

Please note, all DCS World DLC released on Steam from 12th May 2017 will now use Steam Keys instead of Star-Force keys.

With a release of DCS 2.5.5 all products are keyless.

These modules can be bound and activated on the DCS World e-shop version from the site.

To do this, on the DCS website, on the profile page, find a special Steam account block
please use the link: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/personal/profile/

1) You need to bind the Steam account to your DCS account.
After clicking on the "BIND" button, you will be redirected to the Steam website, where you must log in and agree to share publicly available information from your profile with us.

2) After logging in to the Steam site, you return to our site and, if successful, the "GET LICENSES" button will be available.
Click the "Get licenses" button.

3) As a result, you can obtain a list of the products whose licenses that:
1. Already have a DCS account (Steam or not Steam)
2. Can be transferred to your account from Steam
3. Can not be transferred because they are in different types of protection

4) Click the "Transfer licenses" button.
As a result, the licenses available for transfer will be bound to the DCS account.

When you re-enter this page, the Steam license list will be displayed.

You can request licenses again to replenish them if you purchased new DCS products on Steam. New licenses also can be bound, as in the previous paragraph.

* Display name in Steam: "your name" - is not a login but rather information permitted by the Steam user to display on a public profile.

Please note that the bound products will now be available only in your Standalone version of the game, but you will not be able to access the Steam version of DCS World, this will result in a 403 error.

To use the Steam version, you must unbind your Steam account from your DCS account.

When you click the "Unbind" button, all your Steam transferred licenses will be revoked and the binding removed.

Having the same licenses on Steam and in the DCS store does not constitute a basis for a refund or transfer to another user.

Steam modules are not authorized

If you found that some of the Steam modules you have purchased are not authorized in the standalone DCS World version, please re-bind those licenses using your profile page again

You need to check the section How to transfer Steam modules

My Steam DCS installation crash / does not work properly anymore, is there any way to fix it?

You can repair your installation by going in the properties of DCS World which can be done by right clicking on DCS World within your library and selecting Properties. Then selecting the Local Files tab, use "Verify integrity of game cache".

How to switch to openbeta version?

Going in the properties of DCS World which can be done by right clicking on DCS World within your library and selecting Properties. Then selecting the BETAS tab, which allow you to select the version you would like

After that the Steam should download full content for chosen DCS version.

It's impossible to have several DCS versions on Steam platform simultaneously.

If you want to have several DCS versions at the same time, you need to install DCS from our site

Download and installation FAQ

I already purchased a module through Steam, but now it’s available for sale. What can I do?

The timing of your purchase is not within our control. Nevertheless you can try contacting Steam and find out if they can do something for you (perhaps in cases where you may have made your purchase within just minutes of a sale opening).

How to launch DCS World Multithreading in VR

If you're interested in enabling multithreading in DCS, we recommend checking out our forum where you can find detailed information and instructions on how to do so:
https://forum.dcs.world/topic/320618-dcs-multithreading-faq/

My Steam DCS World does not show any key!

Please note as of May 12, 2017 DCS: All DCS World Modules released on Steam will no longer use Starforce Keys, so Serial Keys will not appear in the Steam Library.

If the program asks for a serial key from you, it means that there is an error in the program and you need to contact technical support. Please do not forget to attach a screenshot of the error and a dcs report (dcs.log):

https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/support/faq/support_ticket/

Can I have both the standalone and Steam versions of DCS installed? Do they share settings? Are there any negative side-effects?

You can have both installations on your PC at the same time. There won't be any negative effects due to both installations keeping all their updates / configurations within their own folders.

Why am I receiving a 403 error when trying to use my modules in Steam?

While you use your Steam purchases in the Standalone, you will not be able to use them in Steam at the same time, you will get a 403 Error. To use them again in Steam you must unbind your account from the Standalone.

Are patches/updates for the Steam version of DCS released at the same time as the standalone? Is this a source of potential issues if both are installed and used between updates?

DCS World Updates are pushed through ED servers for the standalone and Steam Servers for the Steam platform thus resulting in a delay when using Steam (since Steam has to first receive and handle the new update). The good news is that the updates will be much quicker to download from your Steam platform. The negative side is that you might have to wait before being able to play with your friends using the standalone version on the latest revision.

How to remove a free trial module on Steam

To remove a free module on Steam

Click on your username on the top right corner of the Steam window

Choose "Account details"

Click on the "View licenses and product key activation's" link on the right

Next to "DCS Module Free Weekend", click "remove"

or

Go to DCS main page in the steam client,
find the DLC area on the right of the page,
click manage my DLC,
a box should appear and DLC can be ticked or un-ticked

How do I add command line arguments to a Steam shortcut?

- Right click on DCS World within your Steam Library
- Select Properties
- Click on "Set Launch Options"
- Type your command line options.

Every time the game is launched, the arguments will be executed.