Does anyone know how to stop steam opening when you open a game?

[Scrudgie]

I find it an inconvenience when the steam window boots up steam when the game is opened. How do I fix this?

[Syrethyst]

I'm having the same issue. It's so frustrating having to close 2 windows each time I open a game (for the first time after turning on the pc)

[SpyGRNtiger2021]

Hi Armi - you can go to your steam settings and choose 'Interface' and turn off 'Run steam when my computer starts.

As for seeing ads, In the same area under 'start up location' you can choose 5 different things you would like to see when steam starts - i set mine to Library.

I am still minimizing the steam window every time I start my game- annoying.

[Jack Schitt]

Here are easy to follow, step by step, instructions to use the old UI that include how to disable automatic updates so the client never updates it self.

Known issues: Friends List doesn't work. The work around for this issue is to use the web version instead of the client's friends list UI.

[Panhandle]

I sent a complaint to Steam about this same issue, both trying to find a solution and to make sure they are aware this is not a desired change. You guys should really do the same while they don't fix it.

[ayersonj]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

If the game devs have applied the Steam DRM, obviously Steam will get opened when you boot the game.

Unless I'm misunderstanding things.

You're misunderstanding, badly.

People on this post don't mind if steam runs in the background, but we don't want the main steam window to open.

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Originally posted by Igrovets:

Regarding the launch of Steam at the Windows start immediately in the tray:
Registry Editor (run as administrator)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Name steam - edit value data
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" --no-startup-window -silent

No need to go into the registry at all. I made a shortcut work silently and a batch file that works for startup issues and the Beta Client seemingly fixes the no startup silent issue.

Originally posted by ayersonj:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

If the game devs have applied the Steam DRM, obviously Steam will get opened when you boot the game.

Unless I'm misunderstanding things.

You're misunderstanding, badly.

People on this post don't mind if steam runs in the background, but we don't want the main steam window to open.

Use my batch file.

[Jack Schitt]

The -silent switch was supposedly fixed. It's possible how people assume the -silent switch is supposed to work is not how Valve intends it to work.
https://store.steampowered.com/news/collection/steam/?emclan=103582791470414830&emgid=3658659836555625601

[SkyCamel]

Originally posted by Igrovets:

Regarding the launch of Steam at the Windows start immediately in the tray:
Registry Editor (run as administrator)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Name steam - edit value data
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" --no-startup-window -silent

That worked like a charm. thanks!

[Mauhur]

I have no "steam" entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
Do I need to create one to prevent Steam from opening a store window when I run my games from desktop shortcuts?

[Jack Schitt]

Originally posted by Mauhur:

I have no "steam" entry under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
Do I need to create one to prevent Steam from opening a store window when I run my games from desktop shortcuts?

You can try creating one if you want to do it that way (through the registry). You have to know the exact path to your Steam.exe in order to do it:

1. Open regedit.
2. Paste the key library address in to the address bar and hit the enter key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
3. Edit > New and select "String Value"
- Name it Steam (make sure the S is capitalized)
- Double-Click on it and enter the file path in the Value Data Field:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam.exe" -silent
should be YOUR file path

I've posted another way of doing it that might work here:
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/3801649759587614750/

[backsaw]

Linux user, this new unwanted behavior is especially terrible with a tiling window manager. Launch a game and the unasked for Steam windows throw other windows around. Oh and they grab focus, but that's not new. Not expecting Valve to test every environment, but Ubuntu -- which they claim to support -- can have tiling WMs. TL/DR; +1 hate this new behavior

[Jayd]

My gosh, this advertising on every computer boot is bloody annoying.

Start windows, get the advertisement for crap I don't want. Swap over to Ubuntu, see it again, Jump on my Mac, yep, there is is again.

The slider to not show promotions is off, there is no run entry for Windows 11, an Ubuntu and OSX don't have a registry.

I really hope steam will quickly stop this forced advertising every time I boot any of my PCs, it's become real annoying.

[Jack Schitt]

Originally posted by Jayd:

My gosh, this advertising on every computer boot is bloody annoying.

Start windows, get the advertisement for crap I don't want. Swap over to Ubuntu, see it again, Jump on my Mac, yep, there is is again.

The slider to not show promotions is off, there is no run entry for Windows 11, an Ubuntu and OSX don't have a registry.

I really hope steam will quickly stop this forced advertising every time I boot any of my PCs, it's become real annoying.

The whole reason for the new Client updates are so they can push sales more often. It is not going away. It's going to get worse. The more updates they release the more ads there will be.
On a positive note at least the ads are all Steam and game related. They haven't gotten greedy enough to start having 3rd party ads from everywhere (yet).

[Unicorn Gaming]

Originally posted by bigmonk:

Steam has a major problem with its store page popping open and screwing up the gaming experience and the solution is typing code into your computer from a stranger?
If it's a sales technique to make people not want to buy anything from Steam, it's sure working for me.

I agree, really annoying.

[ROYKDEKKET]

U can just open steam, press on X and then open game, steam will be in backround but its annoying that u have to do this when u could just press game before