How to easily set auto-update preference for all installed games.

[MoonMoon]

It would be great if Steam had an option to set your default auto-update preference for newly downloaded games. However that has been asked for for years and unlikely to ever be a thing. I wasnt able to find another thread that shared this bit of info, and so it is my hope that this helps someone someday.

You cant easily change the default behavior of steam updates without some kind of scripting knowledge/tool. However you can change the setting for all of your currently installed games at the same time. All you need to do is

1. navigate to your Steam\steamapps folder. At the bottom will be a list of appmanifest_****.acf files that coincide with all of your currently installed games on that drive.
2. highlight all of the .acf files, right-click, open with Notepad++
3. Inside Notepad++ find the line that reads "AutoUpdateBehavior" "0"
4. Highlight the entire line, use ctrl-f to bring up the Find box, and go to the replace tab
5. Copy the selection in the find box and paste it into the replace box, then replace the "0" with "1"
6. Click on the button that says "Replace all on all opened documents"
7. Open the File dropdown, click save all.
8. Restart steam to finish applying the settings.

Now all of your currently installed games will not update until you launch the game or manually initiate the update. You may also update your games individually to auto-update or have high priority auto-update. Future games that you install will still need to have their update preference updated if you wish, unless you setup some script or automation to detect new game installs and modify the .acf file.

[Iceira]

Waste of time, you are not in controll over DL anyway, Covid19 change that, and i doubt they will undo what they learn, and thats now default, why make same mistake 2 times, just wait if some day all steam user go DL crazy doing a steam event sale.

any helper here can tell you that , any edit will be reset by steam if they have to world steam server then mass dl trigger event happend, its here you can kiss your local settings byebye.
even i have seen a jump to nearest other country already then new wan lines kick in.

and i could also say fix your bad dl server then steam see a better atm for you. ( this is the futurn not static input you think is best.

[Jerry]

My preferred solution is still to restrict automatic download times to 3-4 in the night. Practically no chance, that those start running by themselves, and as a side effect, if I ever spot those kicking in, I know, that I've been up way too long and should shut down the PC.

[Iceira]

You might not know backside of this, there is steam users with 5k and 10k games , they will not be happy with a trigger all update. ( they actual want them to stop updating then they dont play them, ) this is why DL schedule was made for delayed update.

things most user dont understand until they start notice all them games they actual dont play atm, and they keep updating, and they have not made choise for uninstall them.

and thats why you should not edit this, its way more complicated then this post its also a cue on server so max DL for job task , things we dont see and talk about, you need to have work with server that feed users.

[Jerry]

Originally posted by Iceira:

You might not know backside of this, there is steam users with 5k and 10k games , they will not be happy with a trigger all update. ( they actual want them to stop updating then they dont play them, ) this is why DL schedule was made for delayed update.

I think, you are completely misunderstanding the thread starter here. This is not about someone having an issue with delayed automatic downloads, but the opposite, someone, who does not want downloads to start automatically at all.

(which, by the way, is the same for me. My bandwidth is scarce and needed. And every time, the client is running an update, that, unlike game updates, can not be delayed or prevented, I get to feel it badly.)

[MoonMoon]

Originally posted by Jerry:

Originally posted by Iceira:

You might not know backside of this, there is steam users with 5k and 10k games , they will not be happy with a trigger all update. ( they actual want them to stop updating then they dont play them, ) this is why DL schedule was made for delayed update.

I think, you are completely misunderstanding the thread starter here. This is not about someone having an issue with delayed automatic downloads, but the opposite, someone, who does not want downloads to start automatically at all.

Exactly this. Baldurs Gate 3, Cyberpunk, Satisfactory, and other games of that size get semi-regular updates. The download sizes are often nearly the same size as the game. If Im not actively playing the game but do intend to come back to it in the future, it is preferable to leave the game installed and restrict updates. When I do eventually come back to one of these games, I only need to download the latest of those updates.

[Iceira]

How to easily set auto-update preference for all installed games. ( maybe you should read header better ) or write how to try top stop auto update , but you did not. and it will still not work or change anything here.

You are not in controll over Steam and games that try update its games you have installed. ( you solve nothing, you cant stop online games from updating, so all single player games is left. ) and you end up with games not update , and game devs might get say, we cant help you with game bugs sense we already have fix them, but you did not update them.

there is no way you can stop updates thats needed by game devs. ( game devs will not be happy about it, and they might complain to steam for user that fiddle withs its option, and technicaly you have waste game devs time and steam.this has a cost you forgot about.

steam will remove all option in the future just wait and see, ( steam require online service and you actual prevent it from doing it. ( and we are back at you are not in controll over dl and its patch's

( and other helper can also tell you its not your files, its game devs files and you have license to play them only, so tech you brake 2 rules here ) most game devs has 1 version game only, so they know whats is fixed or not , so few actual allow other past version to be started.
because that require more administration for diffrent version .

This is know for all gamers with box cover games with version and user complain over things not fixed.
next gen ppl migh not know how bad this was in the past, thats user keep play a buggy game. ( this is why game devs use and only want a one update game. ) no more old ways that keep screw it up.

[Iceira]

And sense when is it steam problem, what you has a as bandwide solutions.
they dont care if you have modem or fiber connections. ( things is not thats simple as we think here. ) maybe ask in suggestion & ideas, as other has.

[Jerry]

Originally posted by Iceira:

You are not in controll over Steam and games that try update its games you have installed.[etc.]

You are STILL misunderstanding the thread. This is not about preventing all updates, period, but to have games update, when YOU want them to update. And that is something, for which there are options. For one the mentioned individual game settings, with the thread starter offering a slightly easier way to change this setting one by one than within the client, and as another path my approach to schedule updates at a timeslot, when the PC is (almost) never running. Offline mode would be a third option, if most games are not dependent on an internet connection.

Obviously Steam has a policy to require updated games to launch them (unless a developer offers a legacy branch). And as soon as a game notices (due to the client being online), that there is an update available, you need to pick that up, before you play it again.
But this is simply not what this topic is about.

[Iceira]

Originally posted by Jerry:

Originally posted by Iceira:

You are not in controll over Steam and games that try update its games you have installed.[etc.]

You are STILL misunderstanding the thread. This is not about preventing all updates, period, but to have games update, when YOU want them to update. And that is something, for which there are options. For one the mentioned individual game settings, with the thread starter offering a slightly easier way to change this setting one by one than within the client, and as another path my approach to schedule updates at a timeslot, when the PC is (almost) never running. Offline mode would be a third option, if most games are not dependent on an internet connection.

Obviously Steam has a policy to require updated games to launch them (unless a developer offers a legacy branch). And as soon as a game notices (due to the client being online), that there is an update available, you need to pick that up, before you play it again.
But this is simply not what this topic is about.

Learn to read head line Jerry, and you graps so little its not your files in the first place its game devs files at your pc. ( they dont want things not update )

and you forgot offline mode is possible at single player games, things is not that simple jerry. ( its gane devs/pulisher files, and they want games update, its that simple jerry )

and you forgot where we learn all them mistake box games not update, it actual has nothing to do with me. steam is a online service and it need to update its client and game.

[KalGimpa]

Originally posted by Iceira:

Originally posted by Jerry:

You are STILL misunderstanding the thread. This is not about preventing all updates, period, but to have games update, when YOU want them to update. And that is something, for which there are options. For one the mentioned individual game settings, with the thread starter offering a slightly easier way to change this setting one by one than within the client, and as another path my approach to schedule updates at a timeslot, when the PC is (almost) never running. Offline mode would be a third option, if most games are not dependent on an internet connection.

Obviously Steam has a policy to require updated games to launch them (unless a developer offers a legacy branch). And as soon as a game notices (due to the client being online), that there is an update available, you need to pick that up, before you play it again.
But this is simply not what this topic is about.

Learn to read head line Jerry, and you graps so little its not your files in the first place its game devs files at your pc. ( they dont want things not update )

and you forgot offline mode is possible at single player games, things is not that simple jerry. ( its gane devs/pulisher files, and they want games update, its that simple jerry )

and you forgot where we learn all them mistake box games not update, it actual has nothing to do with me. steam is a online service and it need to update its client and game.

partner

op is telling people how to set all of their games to update on launch at the same time

instead of doing it one by one

that is the option they have set their auto update preferences to

i have done this from the start so that none of my games update until i play them

[Iceira]

clearly you dont read all what has been said, a 5k game user will not want a trigger all.

You trigger games you dont play atm, aient it exatly this we debating. ( this is why schedule has been there in longtime even before covid19 ) and what a waste of time, sense you dont play them. its actual better let steam cue and update then they feel like it. ( and we are back at then server see a best time for update and user then they do this. )

this is what steam already have learn and is default. ( they can change this but i doubt it. )

[KalGimpa]

Originally posted by Iceira:

clearly you dont read all what has been said, a 5k game user will not want a trigger all.

You trigger games you dont play atm, aient it exatly this we debating. ( this is why schedule has been there in longtime even before covid19 ) and what a waste of time, sense you dont play them. its actual better let steam cue and update then they feel like it. ( and we are back at then server see a best time for update and user then they do this. )

this is what steam already have learn and is default. ( they can change this but i doubt it. )

i read it clearly

op gave a way to access/alter a file that will set all of our games to not update until launched

something we can do individually already

and something i use with every game that lets me (i have a couple that force updates)

i do not need steam to decide when i am going to update my games

some times i will update 20 or 30 of em at a time

most of the time they just sit there until i play the game

[Iceira]

Originally posted by KalCuey:

Originally posted by Iceira:

clearly you dont read all what has been said, a 5k game user will not want a trigger all.

You trigger games you dont play atm, aient it exatly this we debating. ( this is why schedule has been there in longtime even before covid19 ) and what a waste of time, sense you dont play them. its actual better let steam cue and update then they feel like it. ( and we are back at then server see a best time for update and user then they do this. )

this is what steam already have learn and is default. ( they can change this but i doubt it. )

i read it clearly

op gave a way to access/alter a file that will set all of our games to not update until launched

something we can do individually already

and something i use with every game that lets me (i have a couple that force updates)

i do not need steam to decide when i am going to update my games

some times i will update 20 or 30 of em at a time

most of the time they just sit there until i play the game

Good for you, but you forgot all other user that dont want to see on this and will have them update automatic then steam and user want it, as steam already is doing.

Its like ppl dont get the shedule cue and later update then they feel like it depend on option you did.

And i bet many of us have seen this before any company pc get update overnight or off peak hours, they try do do a dont bother user with update in production time, its here we other agree why bother user with update at all. ( you can read note with latest update )

This has been the IT ways for years if not decads, steam user might not know this and yet i bet many know them,

No this is you and steam and what old games think they are in controll over , ( you are not in controll ) if game devs dont accept outdate client version, and all DL option , can be removed by steam any time as they see fit.

You also forget them busy players in life thats might only have 1-3 hours for themself , why will they want to deal with updates then game time is the focus not i want to sit and see games update, ( i bet they are over 50% of all steam acccout user, thats dont have 8hours play time and have time for unessary update you dont play. as i said again its way more complicated then pro gamers need that want to know every step here.

And we are still back at see paint dry in updates, and thats why they will not like mass trigger update all my games.

[MoonMoon]

Originally posted by Iceira:

clearly you dont read all what has been said, a 5k game user will not want a trigger all.

You trigger games you dont play atm, aient it exatly this we debating. ( this is why schedule has been there in longtime even before covid19 ) and what a waste of time, sense you dont play them. its actual better let steam cue and update then they feel like it. ( and we are back at then server see a best time for update and user then they do this. )

this is what steam already have learn and is default. ( they can change this but i doubt it. )

As others have said, you are misunderstanding my original post completely. I am not providing advice on how to prevent updates to installed games. This is not a trick, not a secret setting, not a workaround to prevent updates. I am not talking about playing in offline mode, or manipulating system files to trick the steam client into not updating games. That is not the point.

I say again. Preventing updates is not the goal here.


The goal is to help others to update a setting that users already have access to change. There are three options for updating games. Update normally, update as soon as possible, or update when launching the game. This post is purely to help others update all installed games to update when the game is launched.

Please understand that regardless of what you are saying is true or not, it has no relation to what my post is about. That is what others and myself are trying to tell you.

[MoonMoon]

Originally posted by Iceira:

And we are still back at see paint dry in updates, and thats why they will not like mass trigger update all my games.

To add to my previous reply. Mass updating all games that need updates is not the concern here. What I have suggested in my original post would lead to many games needing an update at some point. However, the idea is that someone can update them when convenient.

That could mean someone manually starts the update prior to when they want to play. It could also mean that they have most games update on launch, but set their currently played games to update immediately. Like I said, this post is just to help people manage a setting for all of their games that they can already be set individually. Further changes on an individual basis can be made after if someone wants to do that.