Steam Client Bootstrapper Data Usage [SOLVED]

[Raizak]

So after receiving notification from Comcast that I've surpassed the 1TB monthly bandwidth halfway through the month, I decided to snoop around for the culprit. After using a program to monitor usage, I discovered that Steam Client Boostrapper was downloading data at a constant 2 MB/s rate. So I went ahead and disabled it and Steam continued to run in online mode, except for the messenger. Somehow the process involved with the Steam messenger is heavily draining data. It doesn't just do this on my desktop computer either as my laptop faces the same data usage.

This is not normal, and very serious given in areas like mine Comcast is charging for exceeding data limits and is treating it like a cellphone plan. Disabling the process solves the problem, but restricts my ability to communicate with friends who only use Steam. So I would much prefer if some kind of alternative solution could be found.

EDIT: Disabling it does a lot more than just disconnect the messenger. It puts the games in offline mode too. So disabling it isn't an option for playing games either.

SOLUTION: The culprit was actually in fact a 0 byte update for the Skyrim workshop that was glitching up. I disabled auto-updates and ran "steam://flushconfig" and no more data usage.

[Villanelle]

I have the same problem but i can stop it via firewall

[Raizak]

Originally posted by FPS Kitten:

I have the same problem but i can stop it via firewall

That what I did to disable it, but it also disables Steam messenger.

[WeGonFindYou]

I must thank you @Raikaara - typing in "steam://flushconfig" in the chrome address bar solved my problem. Thanks!

[ɕʉɕʉ. תב:ɕN:]

thank you @Raikaara - typing in "steam://flushconfig" in the firefox address bar. Its solved. Thank you very much.

[Skytrill]

I did just that with Chrome and it's still at it again and doesn't show any sign of slow down (over 3GB downloaded now). None of my games are set to update right now everything is on pause.. what exactly is the bootstrapper doing? Combine this with the Oculus Rift's ovrserver that's dog-fighting for the bandwidth as well and there is just nothing to do execpt reading a book, remembering I bought a tons of ♥♥♥♥♥♥ games that I can't even play if my internet is connected.

[pinkxzy]

How do I disable auto-updates and what exactly does steam://flushconfig do? Any side effects?

[Ploid]

I've been looking for a solution to steam using bandwidth with no game being updated or downloaded, I can't believe I'm resorting to blocking it with my firewall. Thanks Kahleesi.

[md8er]

open big picture mode in steam go to downloads and Pause it all