What is "Bootstrapper"?

[Lord of Sushi]

I haven't used Steam in over a month, so I was expecting an update as normal. What I wasn't expecting was the file description for steam.exe being changed to "Steam Client Bootstrapper (buildbot_winslave04_steam_steam_rel_client_win32@winslave04)". I normally wouldn't be curious as to what "Client Bootstrapper" meant, but when Steam updated, it downloaded a file that was around 110 MB and extracted it, so I'm a bit concerned.

(sorry if I'm this post isn't easily understandable. I'm really ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ tired at the moment)

[Knight Owell]

Folant, get out you smart ass, he said he was tired. just started steam after over a MONTH. I'm having the same issue and google aint helping wortha ♥♥♥♥♥. So if you ain't gonna help, don't comment.

[Grenadier23]

I love how I google the term "Steam Client Bootstrapper" and a thread of some smart ass answering "just google it" is one of the first things to show up.

super helpful.

[Knight Owell]

i know right? even if it's a link, he's still saying it.

[Vaemer-Riit]

The bootstrapper is the steam.exe file.

It connects to steam's servers, checks the current version, and then downloads any updates or missing files.

Originally posted by Wikipedia:

Installers
Main article: Installation (computer programs)

During the installation of computer programs it is sometimes necessary to update the installer or package manager itself. The common pattern for this is to use a small executable bootstrapper file (e.g. setup.exe) which updates the installer and starts the real installation after the update. Sometimes the bootstrapper also installs other prerequisites for the software during the bootstrapping process.

SAUCE[en.wikipedia.org]

[Cray-Z]

I recently had this problem and I went through hell in back deleting steam files and reinstalling and updating certain aspects in my steam folder. I found a solution however. I think the problem is accociated with the new steam update. I think with the update, steam made the compatability all wonky. The solution:
step 1: Right click wherever you normally open steam and click "troubleshoot compatability"
step 2: Windows should run a diagnostic and will tell you the recomended compatability mode to run steam in.
step 3: Use whatever it recomends, and it should open up steam in the correct compatability mode, solving the annoying "bootstrapper blah blah blah" problem.

Hope this helps guys

[POOTISBORN himself]

mine doesn't have "troubleshoot compatability

[Luna Eclipsed]

unless your having problems with steam not functioning right dont bother with troubleshoot compatability the 'Steam Client Bootstrapper' is the steam background program that runs in your tray

[fryingsok]

Does the term "bootstrapper" imply that it is a "minimising" program, designed to reduce the Steam client's effect on other programs?

[Petar]

it was using my max network, Crtl Alt Del and close the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ steam, do the thing Crazy z said and it will be fine

[opressioned]

Originally posted by Cray-Z:

I recently had this problem and I went through hell in back deleting steam files and reinstalling and updating certain aspects in my steam folder. I found a solution however. I think the problem is accociated with the new steam update. I think with the update, steam made the compatability all wonky. The solution:
step 1: Right click wherever you normally open steam and click "troubleshoot compatability"
step 2: Windows should run a diagnostic and will tell you the recomended compatability mode to run steam in.
step 3: Use whatever it recomends, and it should open up steam in the correct compatability mode, solving the annoying "bootstrapper blah blah blah" problem.

Hope this helps guys

Dude your awesome thanks! that worked for me.

[jludwig777]

Originally posted by Cray-Z:

I recently had this problem and I went through hell in back deleting steam files and reinstalling and updating certain aspects in my steam folder. I found a solution however. I think the problem is accociated with the new steam update. I think with the update, steam made the compatability all wonky. The solution:
step 1: Right click wherever you normally open steam and click "troubleshoot compatability"
step 2: Windows should run a diagnostic and will tell you the recomended compatability mode to run steam in.
step 3: Use whatever it recomends, and it should open up steam in the correct compatability mode, solving the annoying "bootstrapper blah blah blah" problem.

Hope this helps guys

This fixed my issue as well. You rock.