A website providing “free” and “preinstalled” current and retro games is gaining in popularity. But is Steamunlocked safe to use?
Quick answer: no, of course it isn’t. Steamunlocked is offering pirated copies of games – from AAA releases to the classics we’re interested in – via a Steam-like website interface. Worse still, copycat Steamunlocked sites are popping up, offering malware on top of the illegal downloads.
In short, you should avoid it, and every website offering something similar (clones of SteamUnlocked also exist). Let’s look at the details.
Quick answer
What is Steamunlocked?
Steamunlocked is a download site that presents a series of video games of different genres in a Steam Deck-like interface.
It looks good and is relatively straightforward to use, but behind the FPS, Horror, Action and Adventure and all the other categories, lurks a nasty secret.
Does it host retro games?
Unfortunately, yes. We would probably ignore this site entirely if not for the fact that various classic titles are listed on Steamunlocked. These include already freely available titles such as Half-Life 2: Lost Coast to full games pirated from GOG (e.g. Star Wars: Rogue Squadron).
Steamunlocked’s collection of retro games is concerning. The retro gaming community already has a problem with piracy, and that website helps nobody.
Is Steamunlocked safe to use?
There are various valid online safety concerns about Steamunlocked:
- Malware: There are reports of malware and viruses being present in some of the files hosted on Steamunlocked.com. This could potentially harm your computer and steal your personal data.
- Security: The website itself has been criticized for having suspicious practices, such as non-functional links in their terms and conditions, raising concerns about its overall security.
- Reliability: Download speeds can be slow and inconsistent, and games may not always work properly.
- No accountability: With no official support, how can you trust the files you’re installing?
| Site | Legal? | Malware Risk | Updates | Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SteamUnlocked | ❌ | High | ❌ | ❌ |
| Steam | ✔️ | Low | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Epic Games Store | ✔️ | Low | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| GOG | ✔️ | Low | ✔️ | ✔️ |
A quick read of Steamunlocked’s Trustpilot entry will certainly sober your excitement over the temptation of “free games.” Its overall score is just 2.9, with reports of viruses being downloaded, PC cleaners and other bloatware appearing following downloads… look, at best, the downloaded files are going to undo some of Windows’ built-in security, so if you’re not downloading viruses from Steamunlocked, you’re certainly exposing your computer to any bit of malware that comes along to exploit otherwise inaccessible vulnerabilities.
Is Steamunlocked legit?
Absolutely not.
Security research outfit Gridinsoft has taken an in-depth look at Steamunlocked, too, determining that it represents a high risk of phishing. That’s when a website pretends to be legitimate in order to steal personal data that you voluntarily submit.
In addition:
- Malware and viruses: Downloaded files may contain hidden code designed to steal data or damage your PC.
- Unreliable performance: Cracked games often break, lack updates, or block online features.
Worse, the “preinstalled” nature of the downloads involves various system files being supplanted on your system for the duration of the game’s run time (if not longer). This could have immediate or long term problems for Windows users.
Steamunlocked is piracy, and that is bad
Piracy always comes with risks, and Steamunlocked is no exception.
You see, each game’s download button links to a shady download site. These ZIP file downloads are intended to be unzipped and used immediately, without installation (this is what “preinstalled” refers to on the site).
This is piracy; downloading games from unlicensed sources like Steamunlocked is illegal and can be punishable by law. In the UK, this can result in fines, and removal of internet access in excessive cases.
Yes, AAA games are expensive, but whatever the real price of the game you’re intending to play, it is the culmination of months — or years — of work by other humans. While they might have already been paid, their future employment with the development company relies on the game selling.
This is why you should not pirate games — it affects real people, just like you.
Are there alternatives to Steamunlocked for free games?
What are the safest alternatives to SteamUnlocked in 2026?
The best legal alternatives are the Epic Games Store (free weekly titles), Steam (free-to-play games and sales), GOG (DRM-free classics), and Itch.io (indie and free games). These platforms are safe, reliable, and support developers.
You can’t get through an email inbox without falling over offers for free games these days. While popular, sites like SteamUnlocked are pretty irrelevant – the problem is, people just don’t know where to find free retro games legally.
If you want free or cheap PC games without the risks, there are plenty of legitimate options:
- Epic Games Store – free weekly games, often high-profile titles.
- Steam – a vast library of free-to-play games and regular discounts.
- GOG – DRM-free classics and modern games, often discounted (but beware of piracy site GOG-unlocked, which is similar to SteamUnlocked).
- Itch.io – indie games, many of which are free or pay-what-you-want.
These platforms are safe, legal, and support the people who make the games you love.
We’ve previously looked at how you can play Mario free online (in your browser!), but there are many more options available. Besides Epic Games (which includes occasional remastered retro titles in its giveaways) you’ve got occasional free games from GOG, Steam, and even Amazon Prime Gaming.
And of course, when it comes to old games that have been ditched by their developers or publishers, various abandonware libraries can also be checked. (Note, however, that with the growing increase in retro gaming, many more classic titles are being reclaimed by their owners – or latter-day IP purchasers).
Don’t use SteamUnlocked
SteamUnlocked might look tempting, but it is not safe, not legit, and not legal. Using it puts your computer and your personal data at risk, and it undermines the work of developers.
If you want free games, stick to Epic, Steam, GOG, or Itch.io — they give you peace of mind and help keep the industry alive.
Share this article with a friend who asked about SteamUnlocked safety.
FAQ: SteamUnlocked – Safety, legality, and risks
Is SteamUnlocked actually legal?
No. SteamUnlocked distributes cracked and pirated games without permission from the copyright holders. Downloading or using games from the site is illegal in many countries and violates copyright law, even if no money changes hands.
Can SteamUnlocked give you a virus?
Yes — it’s a real risk. Even if some downloads appear to work, pirated game files are a common way to spread malware, spyware, and crypto-miners. You’re trusting files that bypass normal security checks and come from unknown sources.
Why do people say SteamUnlocked is “safe”?
Mostly because some users got lucky. A game working once doesn’t mean it’s clean. Malware doesn’t always trigger instantly, and some infections stay hidden to steal data or use your system quietly in the background.
Can Steam ban you for using games from SteamUnlocked?
Steam can’t directly see files you downloaded elsewhere, but using cracked versions of Steam games can trigger account issues if they interact with Steam services. At best, it’s risky. At worst, you could lose your account and any legitimate purchases.
Is SteamUnlocked different from other pirate sites?
Not really. It may look cleaner or more organised, but it still does the same thing: hosts pirated games. A nicer website doesn’t make it legal, safe, or ethical.
What happens if you’re caught downloading pirated games?
It depends on your country, but consequences can include:
- ISP warnings or throttling
- Fines or legal action
- Account bans from gaming platforms
- Malware damage or data theft
Most people worry about the law — but the malware risk is often the bigger, more immediate problem.
Is there any reason to use SteamUnlocked at all?
No.
If you’re willing to accept:
- Legal risk
- Security risk (affecting other software — perhaps work-related — on your PC)
- Ethical issues around stealing work from developers
…then you could proceed, but if what you really want is cheap or free games, legal options already exist — without gambling your PC and accounts.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
