How do I download a new game overnight?

[Grundig]

Edit: I think I found the answer. Restart Steam. See post 7 below.

Last night I set the auto-update time to 1-7am. I started a new game download then paused it. In the morning I found the download still paused and the update had not happened.
How do I schedule a new game download to happen overnight? (Yes I did a search but could not find the answer)
Thanks!

[Работяга]

евкеренрве

[J4MESOX4D]

Auto updates are just for installed games. If you want to download a game, you'll have to physically initiate it form your library. It will complete as long as it isn't paused and Steam remains online.

[Grundig]

Thanks J4MESOX4D for confirming it is not possible.

As games get bigger and bigger I wish for this feature more and more. I can't be the only one! I bought Death Stranding on Black Friday and I've still not finished downloading it because my family uses our slow broadband all the time. I need a clear 20hrs to do this, or throttle my connection and leave it running for a week. Because I am never the last one to bed I can't just start a download before going to bed and a throttled connection still interrupts voip and zoom calls so a usable timed schedule would be great.

Is there anyway to request a change/feature like this?

[Pscht]

Not possible? He told you exactly what to do.

[Lithurge]

Originally posted by Pscht:

Not possible? He told you exactly what to do.

He confirmed it's not possible to schedule, the OP has made it clear they aren't the last to bed and can't set it going before they do as it interferes with others use of the connection. Which is why they asked if it's possible to schedule it.

OP you can post in the ideas/suggestions section of the community, but I wouldn't hold my breath on it getting implemented.

[Grundig]

Thanks Lithurge. You're probably right. I'd be better off praying to the gods of fibre to come and dig up my road! Cheers.

[Grundig]

Where there's a will there's a way. It IS possible to set a schedule for game installs.

Set the auto-update times, start the download, CLOSE STEAM, restart steam and the download has is now changed status to download at the scheduled time.

I discovered this after setting up a Windows task schedule to start Steam later and on testing it I discovered this happened! So no need to use Windows task scheduler.

[76561198800958451]

Originally posted by Grundig:

Set the auto-update times, start the download, CLOSE STEAM, restart steam and the download has is now changed status to download at the scheduled time.

It doesn't work for me. After restart, it resumes the download.

[Android Speedometer]

2 words: Task Scheduler
Windows Task Scheduler can start Steam for you.

1. Just queue the downloads etc
2. Close Steam.
3. Add basic schedule to start Steam when you want it

Also make sure you PC doesn't shut down before that time.

[Steve]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.