How to ACTUALLY start steam minimized, when it starts up by opening a game.

[Celicni]

Ever since one of the latest updates, steam will open the library and bombard you with ads whenever you launch it by running a game from the desktop.

If you're here, you probably weren't helped by the people constantly posting the exact same "-silent" registry key solution that DOESN'T WORK when steam launches by you running a game.

Those people must run steam manually and individually for whatever reason.

I'm here to give you an actual solution. It still requires editing the registry key, but rather a different one.

All credit goes to this guy right here: https://leo3418.github.io/2023/07/15/minimize-steam-for-game-shortcuts.html

Step 1: Open the registry. (Open up the Run dialog box (which can be done by pressing Windows key+R), type regedit, and press Enter).

Step 2: In Registry Editor, navigate to path HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\steam\Shell\Open\Command.

Step 3: Edit the key (which can be done by double clicking the "default" entry), and add -silent with a trailing space in front of the double hyphens (--). For example:

- "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" -- "%1"
+ "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" -silent -- "%1"

Note: If you installed steam to a non-default location, the path will be different. Take note of that.

Note #2: If the registry key keeps resetting on reboot, open the link to leo's website, he shows you what to do.

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Step 3b: To also prevent steam from popping out at you when run directly (though I do not understand why you would need to do that, since if you're running it directly, you WANT to open it), you would do the same thing with the key at location

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

If you do not see "steam" on the right, create the entry (making sure you call it Steam, capitalized).

Add -silent at the end.

Example: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" -silent

Bonus tip: To disable steam ads when you do actually open it manually, open steam up normally, click on view -> settings -> interface -> Uncheck the "Notify me about additions or changes to my games, new releases, and upcoming releases" box.

[leon feargus]

Thank you so much for this!
Auto start-up was driving me wild.

[Celicni]

Originally posted by leon feargus:

Thank you so much for this!
Auto start-up was driving me wild.

You're welcome, glad to help :D

[mark]

Worked exactly as described!

Thanks!

@steam:

Spending the time to push the stu..p client on us on every possible occation but do not even have a way to like a post.... Losers....

[Miki Laggard]

I got to change the registry entry correctly and it works instantly, but after a reboot it falls back to default.
Anyone knows how to prevent it from doing that?

[kcstrom]

Thank you!

[Celicni]

Originally posted by Miki Laggard:

I got to change the registry entry correctly and it works instantly, but after a reboot it falls back to default.
Anyone knows how to prevent it from doing that?

Look at the link I posted, he explains how to do that as well. I just didn't wanna clutter the post.

[ℭycaleo]

Credits goes to dude at Jul 15, 2023 😂
My topic is June 26, 2023 with exactly the same guide; dishonoured (Honorable Mentions of Alternative Solutions). 🤔

You should also use it with caution, as a lack of write permissions can lead into steam no longer has access when it adds something new. Therefore the sledgehammer method.

Btw.:
"Explanation: After the above permission change, the current user account no longer has the privilege to change registry values under the registry path in question. Because Steam is typically run as current user (rather than administrator), Steam does not have the privilege to change those registry values either. However, the current user account can still modify those registry values via Registry Editor since Registry Editor is always run as administrator, and the administrator account’s permission is unchanged and thus remains at full."

This is not entirely true: The reason for further changes is the ownership. That's why you sometimes have to take over ownership as administrator in order to change an entry. No matter uac.

[Madac Voltiac]

This worked as a charm, thank you!