How do I stop Steam VR from automatically starting up when I open a VR capable game?

[Emm Jae]

As the title says, "How do I stop Steam VR from automatically starting up when I open a VR capable game?" Even when you don't have a Vive Product or a headset plugged in.

Now, before you tell me to turn on Steam VR, go into Steam VR on my tool tray and click on the Developer Settings and then click on Status Check - then Never. That method is almost 7 YEARS OLD. IT DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE.

Let me repeat, that does not work any more. Sure, you can do that because everything is still there. However, when you use that method the system automatically reverts back as soon as you shutdown Steam VR. It will NOT save the change. I have looked all up and down the Developer settings and there is absolutely no "SAVE" button. I'm certain of it because I have spent at least a total of three hours looking every time I've tried that method.

Now the only other method I've found requires me to A: Be an actual Developer, and B: Have the extra Developer tools installed on my computer taking up extra space on my computer that I could use for something else more pertinent to being only a USER.

So, here's the million dollar question again. How do I permanently stop Steam VR from automatically starting up every time I run a game that is capable of VR without needing to uninstall it and reinstall it every time I need Steam VR?

Please read this all the way through people. I was as thorough as possible so I can get real help with this, instead of copy paste answers.