Do you find the Steam client automatically popping up on the computer screen and distracting you from other tasks? The feature can be a nuisance, especially when it interrupts work or play. However, disabling Steam’s auto-start function is a simple process that can be accomplished in just a few steps. Whether you’re using a Windows or macOS computer, this guide will provide clear, step-by-step instructions to turn off Steam’s auto-start, giving you back control over when the client launches.
For those who use Steam on a Windows computer, the process of disabling auto-start can be achieved through the Task Manager. By accessing the Startup tab within the Task Manager, users can identify the Steam Client Bootstrapper entry and disable it. Additionally, they can navigate to the Steam installation folder and modify the properties of the steam.exe file, removing the “/autostart” parameter from the Target field. By completing these steps, Windows users can prevent Steam from automatically launching when their computer starts up.
On the other hand, macOS users can disable Steam’s auto-start by modifying the system’s Login Items. By accessing the Users & Groups section of System Preferences, users can uncheck the box next to the Steam item in the Login Items list. This action effectively prevents Steam from automatically launching at login. Alternatively, macOS users can disable the Steam Helper tool, located in the Applications/Steam folder, by unchecking the “Open at Login” option within its preferences. By implementing these methods, macOS users can gain control over Steam’s auto-start behavior and customize it to suit their preferences.
Find and Modify Steam’s Startup Settings
The following detailed steps will guide you in finding and modifying Steam’s startup settings:
1. Access Steam Settings
Launch the Steam client and click on “Steam” in the top-left corner. From the drop-down menu, select “Settings” to open the Steam settings window.
2. Disable Startup Options
In the Settings window, navigate to the “Interface” tab. Under the “Startup and Shutdown” section, you will find options related to Steam’s startup behavior. Here’s a breakdown of each option:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Run Steam when my computer starts | Automatically starts Steam when your computer boots up. |
| Start Steam in Big Picture Mode | Launches Steam in Big Picture Mode, designed for use with controllers. |
To disable Steam auto start, uncheck the “Run Steam when my computer starts” option. You can also disable Big Picture Mode startup by unchecking the corresponding box.
3. Save Changes
After making your desired changes, click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the Settings window to save your preferences. Steam will no longer automatically start on your computer unless you manually launch it.
Remove Steam from the System Startup Folder
Understanding the Startup Folder
Every time you start up your computer, Windows launches certain programs and services automatically from a folder called the Startup folder. If Steam is set to start automatically, it will be in this folder.
Locating the Startup Folder
The location of the Startup folder varies depending on your version of Windows:
| Windows Version | Startup Folder Location |
|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
| Windows 8/8.1 | C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
| Windows 7 | C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Start Menu\Programs\Startup |
Removing Steam from the Startup Folder
- Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E.
- Navigate to the appropriate Startup folder location (as per the table above).
- Locate the shortcut file for Steam. It should be named "Steam.lnk."
- Right-click on the shortcut and select "Delete."
- Confirm the deletion by clicking "Yes."
Once you have removed Steam from the Startup folder, it will no longer start automatically when you boot up your computer. You can manually launch Steam by double-clicking on its shortcut on your desktop or taskbar.
Prevent Steam from Starting in the Background
For Windows PCs
1. Right-click on the Windows menu icon and select “Settings.”
2. Navigate to the “Apps” section and click on “Startup.”
3. In the list of apps, find “Steam” and toggle the switch to “Off.”
For macOS
1. Open the “System Preferences” menu on your Mac.
2. Click on the “Users & Groups” icon.
3. Select the “Login Items” tab and find “Steam.”
4. Uncheck the box next to “Steam” to disable its automatic startup.
For Linux
1. Open the terminal window on your Linux machine.
2. Type the following command:
“`Bash
sudo gedit /etc/xdg/autostart/steam.desktop
“`
3. In the text file that opens, look for the line that says “Exec=steam” and change it to:
“`Bash
Exec=nohup steam
“`
4. Save the file and reboot your computer to apply the changes.
More Detailed Instructions for macOS
In addition to the above steps, you can also disable Steam’s automatic startup from the Steam app itself:
- Launch the Steam app.
- Click on the “Steam” menu in the top-left corner and select “Preferences.”
- In the “Interface” tab, uncheck the box next to “Run Steam when my computer starts up.”
- Click on “OK” to save your changes.
Configure Steam’s Auto-Start Behavior
Steam’s auto-start behavior can be customized to suit your needs. Follow these steps to configure it:
- Launch Steam.
- Click on “Steam” in the menu bar.
- Select “Settings.” Under “Interface,” find the “Startup and Shutdown” section.
Step 5: Modify Auto-Start Settings
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Do not start Steam when my computer starts | Steam will only run when you manually launch it. |
| Start Steam when my computer starts | Steam will launch automatically when your computer boots up. |
| Start Steam minimized (when my computer starts) | Steam will start minimized in the taskbar when your computer boots up. |
Select the desired option and click “OK” to save your preferences. The next time you restart your computer, the auto-start behavior for Steam will reflect your chosen settings.
Utilize the Windows Task Manager to Disable Steam
The Windows Task Manager provides a comprehensive tool for managing running processes and startup programs. To disable Steam auto-start using this method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Task Manager
Press the “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” keys simultaneously to launch the Task Manager.
Step 2: Navigate to the Startup Tab
In the Task Manager window, click on the “Startup” tab to view the list of programs configured to start automatically at system bootup.
Step 3: Locate Steam
Scroll through the list of startup programs and locate “Steam Client Bootstrapper” or “Steam.” Right-click on the entry and select “Disable” from the context menu.
Step 4: Confirm the Change
A confirmation dialog box will appear. Click on the “Disable” button to complete the process.
Step 5: Restart Computer
To ensure the changes take effect, restart your computer. Once the system reboots, Steam will no longer start automatically.
6. Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter any issues disabling Steam auto-start using the Task Manager, try the following troubleshooting tips:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Steam is still starting automatically | Check if any other startup programs are launching Steam. Disable any suspicious entries. |
| Task Manager does not show Steam in the Startup tab | Steam may be using a different startup method. Check the Windows Registry for any Steam-related entries under “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.” |
| “Steam Client Bootstrapper” is not present in the Startup tab | Steam may be starting using a shortcut in the Startup folder. Navigate to “%AppData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup” and delete any Steam-related shortcuts. |
Edit Steam’s Registry Key to Block Startup
Follow these detailed steps to disable Steam auto-start using Windows Registry Editor:
1. Open Registry Editor
Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. Type regedit and press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to Steam Key
Browse to the following registry key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam
3. Locate StartUp entry
In the right pane of the Registry Editor, right-click on the entry named StartUp and select Modify.
4. Change Registry Value
In the Value data field, change the value from 1 to 0. This will disable the Steam auto-start.
5. Exit Registry Editor
After saving the changes, close the Registry Editor.
6. Restart Steam
To apply the changes, close and restart Steam.
7. Verify Auto-start Disabled
Once Steam has restarted, check if the auto-start option is disabled. To do this:
- Right-click on the Steam icon in the Windows taskbar.
- Select Settings from the menu.
- Go to the Interface tab.
- Uncheck the Run Steam when my computer starts checkbox.
Use Third-Party Startup Management Tools
Disable Steam Auto-Start with System Configuration Utility
1. Press Windows key + R to open Run, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to the Startup tab.
3. Uncheck the box next to Steam.
4. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
Use Task Manager
1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
2. Select the Startup tab.
3. Right-click on Steam and select Disable.
Use Startup Delayer
1. Download and install Startup Delayer.
2. Open Startup Delayer and select Steam.
3. Set the delay time to >60 seconds.
4. Click Apply to save changes.
Use Sysinternals Autoruns
1. Download and run Sysinternals Autoruns.
2. Find Steam in the list.
3. Uncheck the box next to it and click File > Save.
Use CCleaner
1. Install and run CCleaner.
2. Go to Tools > Startup.
3. Uncheck the box next to Steam.
4. Click Apply to save changes.
Use Sandboxie
1. Install and run Sandboxie.
2. Create a sandbox for Steam.
3. Launch Steam within the sandbox.
4. Steam auto-start will be disabled once the sandbox is closed.
Use Third-Party Antivirus or Security Software
Many antivirus or security software programs offer features to manage startup programs. Check the settings of your antivirus or security software to see if you can disable Steam auto-start there.
Use Startup Folder
You can manually remove the Steam shortcut from the Startup folder.
1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
2. Type shell:startup and hit Enter.
3. Find and delete the Steam shortcut.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Force Close Steam
To manually close Steam, right-click on its icon in the system tray (usually located in the bottom-right corner of your screen) and select “Exit.” If Steam does not respond to this command, follow these steps to force close it:
- Press “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” to open the Task Manager.
- Locate Steam.exe in the list of processes.
- Right-click on Steam.exe and select “End task.”
Prevent Recurrence
To prevent Steam from automatically starting at system startup:
- Open the Task Manager by pressing “Ctrl + Shift + Esc.”
- Click on the “Startup” tab.
- Locate the entry for “Steam Client Bootstrapper” and right-click on it.
- Select “Disable.” This will prevent Steam from starting automatically when you log in to your computer.
To prevent Steam from automatically starting when you launch a game from its library:
- Open Steam and go to “Settings.”
- Select the “Interface” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “Run Steam when a game is launched.”
- Click “OK” to save your changes.
If the above steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to reinstall Steam:
- Uninstall Steam via the Control Panel or Applications folder.
- Delete the following directory: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
- Reinstall Steam from the official website.
If you encounter any difficulties or have further questions, you can contact Steam Support for assistance.
Troubleshoot Steam Auto-Start Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with Steam auto-starting, try the following troubleshooting steps:
1. Check Task Manager
Open Task Manager and check the “Startup” tab. Right-click on “Steam” and select “Disable” if it’s enabled.
2. Disable Steam in Registry
Navigate to “HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run” in the Registry Editor. Delete the “Steam” key if it exists.
3. Remove Steam Shortcut from Startup Folder
Open the “Startup” folder in the Start menu and delete the “Steam” shortcut.
4. Set Steam Client to Manual Start
Go to the Steam Library, right-click on “Steam,” and select “Properties.” In the “General” tab, select “Set launch options” and enter “-nobootstrapper.”
5. Run System File Checker
Open a command prompt as an administrator and run the command “sfc /scannow.” This will repair any corrupted system files.
6. Reset Steam Settings
Go to the Steam Library, right-click on “Steam,” and select “Properties.” In the “Local Files” tab, click “Verify integrity of game files.”
7. Reinstall Steam
Uninstall Steam from your computer and then reinstall it. This will reset all settings and potentially fix any auto-start issues.
8. Disable Third-Party Programs
Some third-party programs may interfere with Steam’s auto-start. Try disabling any programs that monitor or optimize system performance.
9. Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings
Make sure your antivirus or firewall isn’t blocking Steam from auto-starting. Add Steam to the allowed list or temporarily disable the software.
10. Contact Steam Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue, contact Steam Support for further assistance. Provide detailed information about the problem and any troubleshooting steps you’ve attempted.
How To Turn Off Steam Auto Start
Steam is a popular gaming platform that allows users to purchase, download, and play games. By default, Steam is set to start automatically when you turn on your computer. However, you may want to turn off this feature if you don’t want Steam to start automatically. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Steam client.
- Click on the “Steam” menu in the top-left corner of the window.
- Select “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
- Click on the “Interface” tab.
- Uncheck the box next to “Run Steam when my computer starts”.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
People Also Ask About How To Turn Off Steam Auto Start
Why does Steam start automatically?
Steam is set to start automatically by default so that it can update games and other content in the background. However, you may want to turn off this feature if you don’t want Steam to start automatically.
How do I stop Steam from starting up with Windows 10?
To stop Steam from starting up with Windows 10, you can follow the steps outlined in the main article. Additionally, you can also disable Steam from starting automatically through the Windows Task Manager.
How do I disable Steam from starting automatically on Mac?
To disable Steam from starting automatically on Mac, you can follow these steps:
- Open the System Preferences application.
- Click on the “Users & Groups” icon.
- Select your user account from the list on the left.
- Click on the “Login Items” tab.
- Select “Steam” from the list of login items.
- Click on the “-” button to remove Steam from the list.
- Click on the “OK” button to save your changes.
