Where Are Steam Workshop Files Stored? Complete Guide (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Where Steam Actually Stores Your Workshop Mods

Ever lost track of your subscribed mods? Wondering where Steam Workshop files are hiding on your PC? This guide reveals the exact folder locations for Windows, macOS, and Linux, plus backup tips and troubleshooting.

Whether you're switching computers, archiving favorites, or fixing broken mods, knowing these paths gives you total control.

Quick Answer: Default Workshop Locations

| OS | Primary Path | |----|-------------| | Windows | C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\ | | macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/ | | Linux | ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/ |

Pro Tip: Paths vary if Steam is on a different drive or custom install.

Steam's Workshop Folder Structure Explained

steamapps/workshop/content/
├── 550/          (Left 4 Dead 2)
├── 255710/       (Cities: Skylines) 
├── 294100/       (RimWorld)
└── 413150/       (Stardew Valley)

Numbers = Game App IDs
Inside each game folder: Subfolders named by Workshop item IDs

255710/ (Cities: Skylines)
├── 123456789/    (Mod #1)
├── 234567890/    (Mod #2)
└── downloads/    (Temp files)

How to Find Game & Item IDs

| Method | Steps | |--------|-------| | Game App ID | Steam Store URL: store.steampowered.com/app/**255710**/Cities_Skylines | | Workshop Item ID | Workshop URL: steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=**123456789** | | SteamDB | steamdb.info - search game name |

Step-by-Step: Locate Workshop Files

Windows (Easiest)

Win + R → Type: explorer C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content
Find your game's App ID folder
All mods inside as numbered folders

Multiple Steam Libraries?
Steam → Settings → Downloads → Steam Library Folders

macOS

Finder → Go → Go to Folder (Cmd + Shift + G)
Paste: ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content
Hidden Library? Hold Option key in Go menu

Linux

# Show hidden files (Ctrl+H)
cd ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content

# List games
ls -la

# Enter game folder (Cities: Skylines)
cd 255710
ls  # All your mods

Flatpak Steam: ~/.var/app/com.valvesoftware.Steam/data/Steam/steamapps/workshop/content/

Game-Specific Locations (They Copy Files!)

| Game | Workshop Source | Active Mods Location | |------|-----------------|---------------------| | Cities: Skylines | 255710/ | %LOCALAPPDATA%\Colossal Order\Cities_Skylines\Addons\ | | Garry's Mod | 4000/ | garrysmod/addons/ | | Skyrim SE | 489830/ | Mod Organizer 2 virtualizes | | Stellaris | 281990/ | Documents/Paradox Interactive/Stellaris/mod/ (.mod files) |

Backup Your Workshop Mods (Before They're Gone!)

Why Backup?

Mod authors delete items
Steam download errors
Preserve exact versions
Computer crashes/reinstalls

Manual Backup (Windows Example)

D:\Workshop_Backups\
├── 255710 - Cities Skylines [2025-01-15]\
│   ├── 123456789\
│   └── 234567890
└── 294100 - RimWorld [2025-01-15]\

PowerShell Backup Script (Copy & Run)

$steamPath = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content"
$backupPath = "D:\Workshop_Backups"
$gameID = "255710"  # Cities: Skylines
$date = Get-Date -Format "yyyy-MM-dd"

Copy-Item "$steamPath\$gameID" "$backupPath\$gameID\$date" -Recurse
Write-Host "✅ Backup complete!"

Linux/macOS Script:

#!/bin/bash
cp -r ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/255710 ~/backups/255710_$(date +%Y%m%d)

Restore Workshop Files

Method 1: Direct Copy

Paste backup folders to steamapps/workshop/content/[GAME_ID]/
Restart Steam ✅

Method 2: Subscribe + Replace

Subscribe (triggers download)
Pause download
Replace with backup files
Resume → Steam verifies ✅

Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Problem | Fix | |---------|-----| | "Folder Missing" | Check Steam Library Folders (Settings → Downloads) | | "Permission Denied" | Right-click → Properties → Security → Take Ownership | | "Workshop Empty" | Subscribe to 1 item → Check Downloads queue | | "Huge Disk Usage" | Unsubscribe unused mods + Clear Download Cache |

Check Space Used (PowerShell):

(Get-ChildItem "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content" -Recurse | Measure-Object Length -Sum).Sum / 1GB

Advanced: Custom Locations & Monitoring

Move Workshop Files (Symlinks)

Windows (Admin):

mklink /J "D:\MyMods\255710" "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\255710"

Linux:

ln -s ~/.steam/steam/steamapps/workshop/content/255710 ~/Mods/255710

Monitor Updates (PowerShell)

# Logs file changes in Cities: Skylines Workshop
$watcher = New-Object System.IO.FileSystemWatcher
$watcher.Path = "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\255710"
$watcher.EnableRaisingEvents = $true