Bootstrapper

[pudmax]

I can't use steam anymore because "Bootstrapper has stopped working";I reinstalled steam,I updated windows 7,I cheked compatibility between steam and windows 7but it deosn't work.Someone told me to reinstall steam but not from the site ??because it's an old version.Where can i reinstall a new version from?
Thank

[ReBoot]

Start your system in safe mode (obviously with networking). Does Steam work then?

[Albin]

I have the same problem as of today (it worked Sep 14th). I have reinstalled a couple of times, removed the old antivirus app etc.

[The Giving One]

Lately, the issue with that error for most users is BitDefender. Do you have BitDefender antivirus ?

[Yrdh]

Experienced this issue today. Steam has been running without issue for several years. Today launched Steam, it tried updating and during the update install it halted with message: "Steam Client Bootstrapper has stopped working" . Have combed threads on this error, tried the varied recommended fixes, i.e. clean registry, shut down security software, whitelist steam, compatibility modes, run as admin, all drivers and OS are up to date, uninstall & clean registry, etc. Finally in desperation I fully deleted all vestiges, will have to download games again. Reinstalled & uninstalled several times over the day. Many reboots as tried various steps. Launch Steam, it pulls the latest update and halts while installing the update each time. Logged into Steam and now no sign of my library. Was Valve hacked? Is it sun spots? Perhaps leprechauns. At wits end and need tech support from Valve. Anyone with a real fix or explanation please step in. Thanks!

[The Giving One]

Escrito originalmente por YrdhMedic:

Logged into Steam and now no sign of my library. Was Valve hacked? Is it sun spots? Perhaps leprechauns. At wits end and need tech support from Valve. Anyone with a real fix or explanation please step in. Thanks!

Escrito originalmente por The Giving One:

Do you have BitDefender antivirus ?

EDIT....

The missing library may be a different issue. Let's take care of what is maybe causing the error first. If you have BitDefender, uninstalling and disabling and all that you posted above it not going to solve this. (backing up/saving the steamapps folder prevents you from having to redownload games if uninstalling Steam, by the way)

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/search/?gidforum=882959061466924237&include_deleted=1&q=%22bootstrapper+has+stopped+working%22

It's been discussed here quite a bit lately, those with BitDefender and this error.

Start here......

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/1457328392103305853/?ctp=31

and read the posts backwards, please. The setting you need to correct relates to BitDefender.

[Nightdevil666]

I have been having this same damn issue, I made a post about it and no replies. Every thread I find says "oh its just Bitdefender" I DON'T FRIKKIN HAVE BITDEFENDER DAMMIT. This is so infuriating. I have had steam since I was 13 years old and I'm 30 now... KMS

[ReBoot]

Well, what do you have? BitDefender is not the only possible cause. Have you checked if Steam works in safe mode?

[JopinKlobe]

With Windows 7, I started in "Safe Mode" (F8), clicked on "Steam" icon, it updated, I rebooted back to "normal" and no problem with the Steam updates after that. It did reset my compatibility mode to "Windows 7" but I changed it back to no choice and it still works.

[The Giving One]

Escrito originalmente por JopinKlobe:

With Windows 7, I started in "Safe Mode" (F8), clicked on "Steam" icon, it updated, I rebooted back to "normal" and no problem with the Steam updates after that. It did reset my compatibility mode to "Windows 7" but I changed it back to no choice and it still works.

I replied to your other post just now.

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/2765630416825809000/?tscn=1506550182#c1520386297681254709

It's much easier and simpler to help someone from one thread, please. Otherwise, we don't know what has been covered between different threads, where suggestions and steps taken are concerned. Thanks.

[Nightdevil666]

"Steam crashing - Unable to restart Steam - All but Bootstrapper process able to be ended...
I have tried uninstalling/reinstalling, turning off beta/xbox control "don't use anyway". Sometimes Steam will work for a day or so then crash and be unable to restart because I cannot end the Bootstrapper process in tskmgr. Windows 7 , iObit malware, Advanced Sytstem Care, Smart Defrag and CCleaner are the only cleanup programs I use. I do not have Bitdefender to my knowledge "another thread labeled that was the fix for this issue" not my issue.. Ive had steam since day one and never had issues until now... When I say day 1 I mean since CS1.4 :( HALP!!!"

From another thread I had. I will try the safe mode but I could have sworn that was one of the first things I tried :/

[76561198165901824]

OK

[The Giving One]

Escrito originalmente por Nightdevil666:

Windows 7 , iObit malware, Advanced Sytstem Care, Smart Defrag and CCleaner are the only cleanup programs I use.

Wow. No wonder you have issues and this error.

IOBit software is well known for causing issues with Steam.

Advanced System Care specifically. Feel free to use the fourm search and see for yourself.

A couple of examples....

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/371918937255318155/#c371918937255362323

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/11/541907675761676009/#c541907867760543376

CCleaner has a monitoring mode settings feature area in the settings for that program. It should not be running anyway when you are gaming or when your computer starts (disable startup under msconfig) but if it does, all those monitoring mode settings in that section of CCleaner settings need to be totally disabled. It's what usually causes issues with Steam from CCleaner.

[Nightdevil666]

Escrito originalmente por The Giving One:

Escrito originalmente por Nightdevil666:

Windows 7 , iObit malware, Advanced Sytstem Care, Smart Defrag and CCleaner are the only cleanup programs I use.

Wow. No wonder you have issues and this error.

IOBit software is well known for causing issues with Steam.

Advanced System Care specifically. Feel free to use the fourm search and see for yourself.

A couple of examples....

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/371918937255318155/#c371918937255362323

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/11/541907675761676009/#c541907867760543376

CCleaner has a monitoring mode settings feature area in the settings for that program. It should not be running anyway when you are gaming or when your computer starts (disable startup under msconfig) but if it does, all those monitoring mode settings in that section of CCleaner settings need to be totally disabled. It's what usually causes issues with Steam from CCleaner.

Whats messed up is I have been running those for almost 5 years with no issues... Ughh ill see what the threads have to say about ASC/iotbit and ill look into my ccleaner. although one of them does not let me whitelist anything

[The Giving One]

Escrito originalmente por Nightdevil666:

Whats messed up is I have been running those for almost 5 years with no issues...

We see that said here all the time. I was pretty sure you would reply similarly also......

"But I never had a problem with that antivirus before..."
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/9/357288572126129212/?ctp=2#c357288572128593748
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/364040961444986179/#c364040961449364808
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/392184289303449855/?tscn=1458512553#c392184289303484833
http://steamcommunity.com/app/730/discussions/0/364042063114127030/

Things change on a computer without you necessarily changing them. Programs update and change. New conflicts can come up that were not present before.

Just troubleshoot the problem properly. Uninstall Advanced Systems Care and reboot. Then make the adjustments in CCleaner if needed. There can still be other software that you have that can cause this.

What was suggested above, as I always suggest, is to use safe mode with networking to test Steam. If it works there, it is surely a software conflict in a normal boot. Just exactly one such as caused by Advanced Systems Care or other program.

[Nightdevil666]

Escrito originalmente por The Giving One:

Escrito originalmente por Nightdevil666:

Whats messed up is I have been running those for almost 5 years with no issues...

We see that said here all the time. I was pretty sure you would reply similarly also......

"But I never had a problem with that antivirus before..."
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/9/357288572126129212/?ctp=2#c357288572128593748
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/364040961444986179/#c364040961449364808
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/392184289303449855/?tscn=1458512553#c392184289303484833
http://steamcommunity.com/app/730/discussions/0/364042063114127030/

Things change on a computer without you necessarily changing them. Programs update and change. New conflicts can come up that were not present before.

Just troubleshoot the problem properly. Uninstall Advanced Systems Care and reboot. Then make the adjustments in CCleaner if needed. There can still be other software that you have that can cause this.

What was suggested above, as I always suggest, is to use safe mode with networking to test Steam. If it works there, it is surely a software conflict in a normal boot. Just exactly one such as caused by Advanced Systems Care or other program.

I am currently in safemode now. The trouble is going to be leaving steam on long enough for it to crash to see if I still cannot close bootstrapper :/ long process incoming