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Werner Aug 2, 2022 @ 2:24pm
steam needs to be started in admin mode all of the sudden
Hello there,
i need to start steam in admin mode all of the sudden in order to be able to install games or mods via workshop. This pretty annoying because i always have to restart steam when i want to install something. Also other apps like vortex are a little touchy when steam is running in admin.

So does anyone know why i have to do this all of a sudden and how to change it? Thanks :3

PS: i didnt change anything in my windows settings or in the steam settings
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Showing 1-15 of 15 comments
SchneckchenAndy Aug 2, 2022 @ 2:46pm 
It's certainly not unusual for steam to require admin privileges in order to install games and stuff.
I personally have never seen it on the workshop but when installing a game sometimes steam will come up with the "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device" windows popup.
Other than that this really shouldn't cause an issue.

Could you specifiy what exactly happens when you don't run it in admin mode and try to install something from the workshop? Is there some sort of error message or how did you find out about it?
#1
Werner Aug 2, 2022 @ 3:06pm 
I get the this message after klicking the install button:
Steam - Error
An error occurred while installing GAMENAME (missing file privileges)

When i want to install mods from the steam workshop, just nothing happens.
#2
SchneckchenAndy Aug 2, 2022 @ 3:52pm 
This could be related to some sort of steam client update issue or something windows related.

Some things you could try:


If it still doesn't work you could just run steam as administrator on default so you don't have to restart it all the time but that's obviously not the answer you are looking for.
Last edited by SchneckchenAndy; Jan 3, 2024 @ 9:06am
#3
Crashed Aug 2, 2022 @ 4:33pm 
Originally posted by SchneckchenAndy:
This could be related to some sort of steam client update issue or something windows related.

Some things you could try:


If it still doesn't work you could just run steam as administrator on default so you don't have to restart it all the time but that's obviously not the answer you are looking for.
When repairing the library folder I would suggest launching as standard privileges, so when the Client requests a repair operation it can tell the service what permissions should be set.
In addition, if you have multiple Library folders, make sure to repeat the Repair operation on each one.
#4
Werner Aug 2, 2022 @ 5:27pm 
Repairing my library folder fixed it. Thanks guys :)
#5
Werner Aug 2, 2022 @ 6:05pm 
Oh gosh, now i cant select my install destination when i want to install a game ... im runnging from one problem into the next xD
#6
crunchyfrog Aug 2, 2022 @ 9:02pm 
The only thing I can suggest is check your antivirus suite, as updates can cause stupid stuff like this.

If it's really causing such issues like you're detailing frankly I'd find another antivirus to use.

I think it was Avira I had a similar issue with in the past and had to dump that.
#7
SchneckchenAndy Aug 3, 2022 @ 3:04am 
Originally posted by Crashed:
Originally posted by SchneckchenAndy:
This could be related to some sort of steam client update issue or something windows related.

Some things you could try:


If it still doesn't work you could just run steam as administrator on default so you don't have to restart it all the time but that's obviously not the answer you are looking for.
When repairing the library folder I would suggest launching as standard privileges, so when the Client requests a repair operation it can tell the service what permissions should be set.
In addition, if you have multiple Library folders, make sure to repeat the Repair operation on each one.

Really good answer :steamthumbsup:
#8
SchneckchenAndy Aug 3, 2022 @ 3:09am 
Originally posted by Werner:
Oh gosh, now i cant select my install destination when i want to install a game ... im runnging from one problem into the next xD

Well at least the first thing helped, can you specifiy what is blocking you from changing the install destination? When installing normally you should be able to click on the down arrow and select the correct directory.
#9
Werner Aug 3, 2022 @ 5:27am 
Yeah idk, today it just works again. yesterday i repaired my library again und restartet the Pc and it stayed the same. Turned of my PC after that. Today all is back to normal xD
So weird
#10
Iceira Aug 3, 2022 @ 6:55am 
As the other helper here, have point out, things to do and check up, and things change in system and system rights once was to now is, then you need set admin rights thats is own system that trigger steam dont have user rigths as it once has, any here i can tell you that reinstall steam over current on to correct user access right's not sure you want detail and best guessing why you even lost them, then we are not admin on your system.

i can tell you this steam dont need admin set on its own content or special attributes on steam.exe, ( and sense ransomware now steam use own multi lib in root\steamlib that mean it dont need AV security folder access rights, ( so technical things change and sametime not steam problem ) this is the best explanation on why things have change and many dont know why or know the own security is the cause as CF point out and yes even repair own steam library is a thing, but that is not same as lost system rights.

somehow you got 2 issue on top on each other, even that is rare.

that still dont ruleout other system issue.

off topic system checkup issue
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
SFC /scannow
chkdsk ( per drive letter )

google this. ( cant say if you find other issue or not, and it still user own problem for know this, and still dont explan pc is update and maintain best way whatever that is on each pc brand product )

try see this as be happy someone bother tell you this, such things will be seen as user own problem in a few years from now. this has nothing to do with me, sense it works and you still think its odd, nothing is odd in IT, problem is to know and Identify it what cause this and that is a diffrent matter.
Last edited by Iceira; Aug 3, 2022 @ 6:59am
#11
SchneckchenAndy Aug 3, 2022 @ 2:41pm 
Originally posted by Werner:
Yeah idk, today it just works again. yesterday i repaired my library again und restartet the Pc and it stayed the same. Turned of my PC after that. Today all is back to normal xD
So weird

Just windows things, glad we could help :gk_smile:
#12
Ballˢᵘᶜᶜ 🍒 Jan 2, 2024 @ 11:29pm 
Originally posted by SchneckchenAndy:
This could be related to some sort of steam client update issue or something windows related.

Some things you could try:


If it still doesn't work you could just run steam as administrator on default so you don't have to restart it all the time but that's obviously not the answer you are looking for.

It is annoying to exit steam, then run administrator every time I turn-on my PC.
This solution solved my problem.

Thank you very much!
#13
MadHaTr Feb 29, 2024 @ 6:04pm 
Originally posted by SchneckchenAndy:

Clearing cache fixed this issue for me.

I had just installed RDR2 but when I ran it, it installed other things and I chose my base games directory and it didn't make a sub directory so I hastily removed it all via windows. This must have messed up the cache.
#14
Bill Feb 29, 2024 @ 6:30pm 
This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.
#15
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Date Posted: Aug 2, 2022 @ 2:24pm
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