what exactly happens during the first time setup when i run a game for the first time after it finished downloading

[shtaklef]

i am currently on windows 10 build 1809. it has .net frameworks 4.8.3. the c++ redistributables that i have are 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2017. i have directx 12

as you know the steam games download redistributable files like .net framework setup files, directx setup files and c++ redistributable setup files and it tries to install those files during the first time setup

one game came with the setup file for .net frameworks 4.6.2

another game comes with .net frameworks 4.5.2, c++ 2008 2010 2012 2013 and some june 2010 directx files

what exactly will happen during the first time setup of games when it tries to install older versions of .net frameworks, older version of directx and c++ redistrubutables that i already have? does it abort the setup and it launches the games?

[Satoru]

generally speaking each game requires a specific version of the redistributables, microsoft handles installing different versions and what does or does not need tob einstalled, which is why installing these tings takes like 10 minutes each time. Note that even for directx you must install the specific version, because there are VERSION SPECIFIC dll files that games may need that can basically only be installed by running the installer.

Functionally speaking you don't really need to know. The game requires them as prerequisites, microsoft's installer will then determine what should or should not be installed based on what you do have. Once installed, it will give a 'successful' flag back (regardless if had to do anything or not) and then teh game will launch

[shtaklef]

you are right. if i try to install the setup files directly without running the game then the setup takes a long time. however, when a game tries to install those setup files during first time setup then it takes seconds. what exactly happens in those seconds? does windows tell steam not to install those redistrubtables/

[Iceira]

no its a version check, problem is if you recall old directX they did a overwrite and force it that way. problem is then it did this with example dx8 then you are in trouble with dx9c games so they redid the whole thing with sure you can add but you still use newest dx. , i only notice this because of older games, problem is now games still need run its script thirdpart app, there is always one user that did not update all recommeded driver from MS and again more a issue with windows version lesser then 10, so its complicated to explan and now we see script fail from games , that crash duty already install or point at wrong version ( fev do this with 64/32bit issue )

and problem here its called silent install so , error is not show doing install , but then you start the game then you should have crash report or window.
but it seem to work at win10 i have never had to overwrite it, but i bet another user will say diffrent

[ReBoot]

shtaklef の投稿を引用：

you are right. if i try to install the setup files directly without running the game then the setup takes a long time. however, when a game tries to install those setup files during first time setup then it takes seconds. what exactly happens in those seconds? does windows tell steam not to install those redistrubtables/

Steam checks what's installed and skips.

[shtaklef]

what happens in the version check? for example i have .net frameworks 4.8.3 and the game tries to install .net frameworks 4.6.2 or 4.5.2

[ReBoot]

shtaklef の投稿を引用：

what happens in the version check? for example i have .net frameworks 4.8.3 and the game tries to install .net frameworks 4.6.2 or 4.5.2

You can see yourself. If the installation closes in a moment, then it's because Steam realizes that stuff is cumulative and skips. If it takes longer, Steam starts the installer which then does its usual. NET installer thing.

[shtaklef]

so you are saying that if steam really wanted to install these redistributables then it will start the setup files of the redistributables and i have to click next next next to continue the setup? if i dont get it and the game started then it skipped the install?

[ReBoot]

shtaklef の投稿を引用：

so you are saying that if steam really wanted to install these redistributables then it will start the setup files of the redistributables and i have to click next next next to continue the setup? if i dont get it and the game started then it skipped the install?

Try it, don't be afraid!

[Tharon]

shtaklef の投稿を引用：

so you are saying that if steam really wanted to install these redistributables then it will start the setup files of the redistributables and i have to click next next next to continue the setup? if i dont get it and the game started then it skipped the install?

If you have the redistributable installed and skip it, you can play without problems. But since the redistributable exited with an error code, you are prompted to install it again the next time you start the game.
But not worry and just install it, every redistributable performs a check and automatically avoid the installation if they are already installed.

[shtaklef]

ok thanks. i am sorry but the thing i still dont understand is what happens when steam tries to install .net frameworks

if the game starts then that means that it skipped the .net frameworks setup?

if the game really wants to install .net frameworks then it will launch the .net frameworks setup file and i will see the installer? i dont think that steam can silently install .net frameworks and then launch the game because installing .net frameworks requires you to restart the pc

[Tharon]

No, installing .net framworks do not require a reboot. A reboot is required in some cases only when updating it to a newer version.

[shtaklef]

ok. thus if the first time setup takes a really long time then that means that it's installing something and if it takes around 30 seconds and then the game starts then it means that nothing was installed?

[ReBoot]

shtaklef の投稿を引用：

ok. thus if the first time setup takes a really long time then that means that it's installing something and if it takes around 30 seconds and then the game starts then it means that nothing was installed?

Nope, if it takes 3cseconds, it means nothing was installed. 30 seconds means some thing's going down (or your disk is REALLY slow).

[shtaklef]

one last question. how does steam install the redistributables when it really installs them? silently and i just have to wait or steam will start the installer and i will see it and i have to click next?

[ReBoot]

Depends on the installer. Mostly silent but in rare cases, not.