GUIDE: How to COMPLETELY AND PERMANENTLY disable Big Picture Mode

[CFW Magic]

26/10/2023 UPDATE:

Thanks to the efforts of the user known as Crtitical, there's now a powershell script which is fighting back against the cancer that is BPM. Here's the user's post:

I ended-up here looking for a solution and didn't find an easy one, so I have made a Powershell script to remove all references to the Guide button assignment.

It backs-up your current Steam config before opening it and deleting all 'guide:xx' refences, and then saves it (overwrites current config), thus solving the guide button problem once and for all.

Full details on what it is and how it works are on Github, where the code can be seen before using - https://github.com/CriticalPoint/Automatically-Disable-Steam-Big-Picture-Mode-Guide-Button

Dropping this here in case it's helpful for someone!

Hope so! 🍻

------

DISCLAIMER 1: The whole reason that I classify Big Picture as MALWARE is because there's NO WAY TO GET AROUND IT WHILE THERE SHOULD BE.

The definition of Malware is as follows:

"software which is specifically designed to disrupt, damage, or gain authorized access to a computer system."

In this instance, Big Picture disrupts normal gameplay and normal UI without my authorization. It also constantly forces itself onto my machine without authorization as well. It will hereby be referred to as Malware until it is patched to prevent it's invasiveness and disruption of my entertainement.

===

DISCLAIMER 2: This guide is NOT an official way of deleting BPM from your machine. It's a work around which is to be implemented fo so long as Valve refuses to let us opt out of the Big Picture Malware. The only reason this guide exists is because Valve has forced my hand and has continuously ignored requests from the community to opt out from Big Picture completely.

Each user has their own reasons to disable big picture. Mine is that it's performance heavy and that even if Big Picture is set to "disabled" in Valve preferences, pushing the controller "home" button will still activate it. BPM is also the default chat overlay in some games, meaning that "disable BPM" function within Steam is more or less useless.

===

DISCLAIMER 3: The "you don't like it, don't use it" argument is about as obnoxious and ignorant as it can be.

You can't not use Big Picture Malware. Regardless of your options, BPM will be installed on your machine. Regardless of your options, pressing the guide button while steam is the acitve window will activate the Malware. Let alone all the bugs which make Big Picture Malware the default chat overlay for some games.

I am NOT pushing for complete eradication of BPM from ALL machines. What this guide is for is to enable an option to OPT OUT of Big Picture Malware FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT BIG PICTURE MALWARE ON THEIR MACHINE in the first place. It does NOT concern those who want the Malware. All protests from Big Picture Malware fanboys will be ignored as this here disclaimer is more than enough to answer anything they might have to say.

===

UPDATE: There is an easy method to kill home button inputs, found by one of the contributors here. TRY THIS METHOD FIRST:

Publicado originalmente por tintingaroo:

For those where BPM is an issue because it opens on Guide / Home press:
I discovered a way to have some control over the Guide button last month and have been investigating things with it.
I set the Guide Button Chord Config always-on action to Empty and it mostly worked to prevent BPM opening but there'd be issues. If using BT, on reconnect or re-opening Steam (can't remember what) it would still open BPM the first press and then it would kinda prevent it. On USB it would open BPM the first time, but thereafter as long as using the same port, it wouldn't. I think in either case spamming Guide would still open BPM.

With the current Steam clients, it seems to work much better - like the Guide Button Chord config is being applied to the controller better or earlier or something, so I decided to introduce it to you guys. I don't know how it goes on mac though.

The good things about this method is that you don't need to delete files / prevent Steam verification etc. if wanting to use/open BPM you can set a different combo on the Guide Button config to open BPM e.g. Guide + X, for the overlay set up Shift+Tab on a button.

How to:
1. Steam > Settings (Preferences on macOS) > Controller > Guide Button Chord Configuration

2. Select the Always-On action

Always-On action
Community Created Artwork for Steam Artwork
By: tintingaroo


3. Set it to Empty

Empty binding icon
Community Created Artwork for Steam Artwork
By: tintingaroo


4. Choose Done

===

MY METHOD MIGHT BE DEPRECIATED. BEFORE YOU TRY TO MESS WITH PERMISSIONS, TRY THIS METHOD:

Publicado originalmente por tintingaroo:

Quick method:
1. Right-click Steam shortcut > Properties
2. At end of Target text box press Space then type -noverifyfiles
3. Click Apply > OK
4. Rename/delete panorama folder

Publicado originalmente por tintingaroo:

I had an old Steam client installation to test this.
It auto-updates as normal and re-installs the panorama folder. So using just -noverifyfiles means the panorama folder has to be deleted/renamed after each client update.
You could just delete the folder after each client update or have a batch file that deletes it and launches Steam with the -noverifyfiles command. You'd then use the batch file as the 'shortcut' to start Steam instead of the regular shortcut.

To create the batch file:

Right-click on the Desktop > New > Text Document
Call it something
Open the file and paste in the following:
@ECHO OFF
SET SteamDIR="XXXXX"
RMDIR /S /Q %SteamDIR%\bin\panorama
START "" %SteamDIR%\steam.exe -noverifyfiles
Overwrite XXXXX with the directory of your Steam install, resulting in, for example:
SET SteamFolder="C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam"
(Note there should be no backslash at the end)

Change the file extension from .txt to .bat

Run it to start Steam.

===

GUIDE:

Let's get into it.

It is my understanding that a lot of Steam users are having issues with Big Picture Malware.
A vast majority of PC players don't use their PC in a living room. Nor do we need an UI to type with our gamepads.

While Big Picture Malware is undeniably important to a very vocal monority, it is useless and uncalled for for a vast majority of PC gamers. Why isn't there an option to completely opt out of Big Picture Malware is beyond me.

So. I've taken it upon myself to do the job of Valve developpers. To be honest, I'd rather not have to do this, but I have no choice. Apparently whoever was supposed to run BPM developement doesn't understand nor care about the pleas from the community for a way to completely opt out of this project.

Perhaps they're too busy sitting on their laurels, or they're using Big Picture Malware to aggressively push their hardware through this anti-consumer practise which forces an inferior UI onto every user in an effort to make more sales.

Without further ado, here is how you can completely and firmly kill Big Picture Malware with fire:


1. Go to your steam installation folder, then into the bin folder. ( [Your Path to Steam]\Steam\bin )

2. Inside, you will see a folder named "panorama". This is the evil folder which you need to cleanse. Go into the panorama folder and delete everything inside. Leave the folder itself standing.

3. Back out of the panorama folder. This is where it gets a bit harder. Right click the panorama folder, go into properties, then go to the security tab. This is where you can edit permissions for said folder. You should see multiple groups, such as "System", "Authenticated Users", "Adminsitrator" and so on. Click "edit". Make sure that you DENY access to EVERY group for EVERY task(Including your own username).

You have to do this because steam runs in administrator mode, so if you make the panorama folder read only, Steam can actually pretend it's an admin, remove the read-only tag and stubbornly re-install Big Picture Malware. If NOBODY has persmissions (not even you), steam can't do that anymore.

4. Once done, return to the properties of the Panorama folder and set it to read-only.

5. Now, steam can't access the big picture directory and can't re-install this malware on your machine. The big picture buttons will still be present in the UI, but when steam tries to launch Big Picture Malware from now on, it'll only pop up an error. No more lag. No more corporate decisions which the players never wanted. No more Valve telling you that they know what you want better than you. Just games.



BONUS: You can also combine this method with Guy Gizmo's method found in this thread:

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/bigpicture/discussions/1/846939071346659003/?tscn=1447541997#c35221031602951514

In order to make Guy Gizmo's DLL non-updateable by steam, apply exactly the same method as above to the file itself (i.e. remove permissions for everyone) which, in theory, should make the file unable to be modified at all. The only difference is that you'll probably want to leave the Read/Read & Execute permissions available so that the file can be read but not modified. Once more the reason you'll want to do it is because BPM is malware and will automatically wiggle itself back onto your clean Steam installation without your permission.


UNINSTALLATION:

It's as simple as giving back the permissions to the folder/files. Because BPM is Malware, once the permissions block is lifted, it will automatically infect your Steam installation again you will be once more able to use the Malware freely.

This concludes this guide. Stay safe and kill Big Picture Malware with fire, one .dll at a time!

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

Publicado originalmente por tag up trees:

Its not technically google's definition, its the oxford language dictionary's, oxford licensed out their definitions to google for display on google search. so, definitions that appear on google search are real, accurate definitions https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

It's technically only the first line of it, and OP needs to touch grass.

Nice! So you have FINALLY managed to accept reality and figured out that you were a liar when you said that BPM wasn't malware and that users could opt out of it! I KNEW you'd be able to beat fantasy world some day! I'm proud of you!

I'm really sad that you're still vindictive and emotionally distressed over being proven ignorant and as a result blatantly wrong ... But hey, it's an improvement! As a reward, I WILL touch some grass! In fact, I will even smoke it (God bless marijuana being legal in Amsterdam).

Anyway, I see that you're still subscribed to this thread and watch it like a hungry hawk. I'm very happy that you don't care so much that you feel the need to continue contributing! Perhaps this is the start of a beautiful frindship, mhmm?

Now if only I could get you to somehow contribute on topic, that would be the absolute dream ... I mean when I asked you to prove your claims that BPM could be opted out of, you suddently went all quiet, and then had a mental breakdown ... Maybe now that you've coped, you can actually contribute and suggest ways to "opt-out" of it without having to jump through extra hoops.

But hey, babysteps, at least you took the week off to seethe and cope with Google calling BPM what it is: Malware. Don't want to hurt your already shattered ego further, now do I? A man can dream.

[FredEffinChopin]

"So you have FINALLY managed to accept reality and figured out that you were a liar when you said that BPM wasn't malware..."

I said nothing even remotely resembling that. Normally, I'd say that you know that too, but you seem like you're actually, legitimately medically certifiable. If you have meds, get back on them ASAP before we read about you in the news.

"Anyway, I see that you're still subscribed to this thread and watch it like a hungry hawk."

My guy, I barely come into Steam, let alone reply to this or any thread, what on Earth are you talking about. I can only imagine you're projecting your malding onto me, as the timestamps suggest that you commented two hours after I last posted in here - with a post that looks like it took you nearly two hours to compose lol.

Seriously, get help. You seem to be a seriously sick individual.

[tintingaroo]

For those where BPM is an issue because it opens on Guide / Home press:
I discovered a way to have some control over the Guide button last month and have been investigating things with it.
I set the Guide Button Chord Config always-on action to Empty and it mostly worked to prevent BPM opening but there'd be issues. If using BT, on reconnect or re-opening Steam (can't remember what) it would still open BPM the first press and then it would kinda prevent it. On USB it would open BPM the first time, but thereafter as long as using the same port, it wouldn't. I think in either case spamming Guide would still open BPM.

With the current Steam clients, it seems to work much better - like the Guide Button Chord config is being applied to the controller better or earlier or something, so I decided to introduce it to you guys. I don't know how it goes on mac though.

The good things about this method is that you don't need to delete files / prevent Steam verification etc. if wanting to use/open BPM you can set a different combo on the Guide Button config to open BPM e.g. Guide + X, for the overlay set up Shift+Tab on a button.

How to:
1. Steam > Settings (Preferences on macOS) > Controller > Guide Button Chord Configuration

2. Select the Always-On action
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2853381213&fileuploadsuccess=1

3. Set it to Empty
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2853381851&fileuploadsuccess=1

4. Choose Done

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

"So you have FINALLY managed to accept reality and figured out that you were a liar when you said that BPM wasn't malware..."

I said nothing even remotely resembling that. Normally, I'd say that you know that too, but you seem like you're actually, legitimately medically certifiable. If you have meds, get back on them ASAP before we read about you in the news.

"Anyway, I see that you're still subscribed to this thread and watch it like a hungry hawk."

My guy, I barely come into Steam, let alone reply to this or any thread, what on Earth are you talking about. I can only imagine you're projecting your malding onto me, as the timestamps suggest that you commented two hours after I last posted in here - with a post that looks like it took you nearly two hours to compose lol.

Seriously, get help. You seem to be a seriously sick individual.

Lel. I only barely skim through your lines. Just to get you to bark obediently. See, all I had to do all this time is just repeat the simple fact: BPM is malware. And you've been losing your mind trying to prove it wrong lel.

Here, I'll do it again. Bark my little doggie! Come back to this thread and continue coping! How long has it been at this point? Four weeks? I successfully made fun of you and forced you to respond in this thread for four weeks. All that just by citing facts. Lel.

You really should have tried an audition for Star Wars, you know man? You'd made a great Seethe Lord XD

Anyway, I didn't bother reading anything since I don't even need to, you'll seethe on your own ~ So ... Seethe! I command you! Bark, unable to turn away from this thread!

Though you'll have to excuse me if I check here only rarely though. I'm only here to get an occasional laugh out of you. Anyway, enough. Now time to prove you wrong again ... Won't you bark for me again doggy? Seethe some more about how you think that Google and Dictionaries are wrong? It's hilarious XD

Anyway, just to show you how it's done, the other guy not only contributed on point but even solved the problem. While you spent four weeks seething at Google. Let that one sink in buddy :p

Publicado originalmente por tintingaroo:

For those where BPM is an issue because it opens on Guide / Home press:
I discovered a way to have some control over the Guide button last month and have been investigating things with it.
I set the Guide Button Chord Config always-on action to Empty and it mostly worked to prevent BPM opening but there'd be issues. If using BT, on reconnect or re-opening Steam (can't remember what) it would still open BPM the first press and then it would kinda prevent it. On USB it would open BPM the first time, but thereafter as long as using the same port, it wouldn't. I think in either case spamming Guide would still open BPM.

With the current Steam clients, it seems to work much better - like the Guide Button Chord config is being applied to the controller better or earlier or something, so I decided to introduce it to you guys. I don't know how it goes on mac though.

The good things about this method is that you don't need to delete files / prevent Steam verification etc. if wanting to use/open BPM you can set a different combo on the Guide Button config to open BPM e.g. Guide + X, for the overlay set up Shift+Tab on a button.

How to:
1. Steam > Settings (Preferences on macOS) > Controller > Guide Button Chord Configuration

2. Select the Always-On action
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2853381213&fileuploadsuccess=1

3. Set it to Empty
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2853381851&fileuploadsuccess=1

4. Choose Done

Thanks. I'll be sure to update the main thread with this. Good find!

[FredEffinChopin]

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Though you'll have to excuse me if I check here only rarely though. I'm only here to get an occasional laugh out of you.

Lol mfer trying to play it off like you weren't responding to every single one of my posts in 15 minutes flat up until I called you out on it. I'd call the projection rich, and it is, but it's also a little sad and even alarming. I mean, for someone to turn into such a dramatic ♥♥♥♥♥ in a Steam thread, first over BPM, and then over being disagreed with (because you're objectively wrong), suggests some deep, deep psychological trauma. Countdown until your neighbors are on local news talking about how you were a quiet guy and nobody really saw you outside much, but nobody thought you were capable of violence. Chills, man. Reverse course while you can. Touch some grass and make a friend before it's too late.

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Though you'll have to excuse me if I check here only rarely though. I'm only here to get an occasional laugh out of you.

Lol mfer trying to play it off like you weren't responding to every single one of my posts in 15 minutes flat up until I called you out on it. I'd call the projection rich, and it is, but it's also a little sad and even alarming. I mean, for someone to turn into such a dramatic ♥♥♥♥♥ in a Steam thread, first over BPM, and then over being disagreed with (because you're objectively wrong), suggests some deep, deep psychological trauma. Countdown until your neighbors are on local news talking about how you were a quiet guy and nobody really saw you outside much, but nobody thought you were capable of violence. Chills, man. Reverse course while you can. Touch some grass and make a friend before it's too late.

Huh. It really DID work. I told you to bark and you barked. Okay, let's experiment again. This time, I didn't read a single letter of your post because apparently I don't need to.

Bark doggy! Seethe harder! Let's see if you come back to waste your time by raging at google again ~

[FredEffinChopin]

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Huh. It really DID work. I told you to bark and you barked. Okay, let's experiment again. This time, I didn't read a single letter of your post because apparently I don't need to.

Bark doggy! Seethe harder! Let's see if you come back to waste your time by raging at google again ~

Sweet Jesus, this is a really close encounter I'm having in here.

[4N631]

thanks for the info

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Huh. It really DID work. I told you to bark and you barked. Okay, let's experiment again. This time, I didn't read a single letter of your post because apparently I don't need to.

Bark doggy! Seethe harder! Let's see if you come back to waste your time by raging at google again ~

Sweet Jesus, this is a really close encounter I'm having in here.

Wow. It really IS working. How needy and insecure do you have to be to keep coming back when I'm obviously just pointing and laughing at you at this point? Eh. Whatever.

If you keep coming back for more, let's give you some more. As always, I have read absolutely zero of what you posted and I'm going to give you orders again, since you're so keen on following them.

Keep seething lel. Still doesn't change the truth. BPM is malware and there's nothing you can do about it :3 Rage on doggo! And remember, all your posts are being ignored since you got proven wrong a month ago and you are incapable of coming up with new ones! (Despite another contributor actually showing you how it's done lol. Brainlet be like, amirite?) Let's keep having fun!

[FredEffinChopin]

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Wow. It really IS working.

It is. Dude, I'm totally getting owned, and you don't look like a psychopath at all. I don't know what to do!

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

It is. Dude, I'm totally getting owned, and you don't look like a psychopath at all. I don't know what to do!

Still working? Damn. You're really THAT desperate for attention huh? Keep at it doggo. BARK!

Anyway this was fun but I actually gotta get back to work so I'll be off for a prolonged amount of time again. I'm sure you being delusional and crying incessantly because you've been proven an ignorant shill is going to keep things entertaining for a long time to come.

Thankyou for the entertainment. Carry on projecting!

[Dax]

Hey guys,

Just reporting in to say that the solution above by tintingaroo worked for me, although what's weird is that I didn't have any problems for basically years until recently when my guide button started opening Big Picture out of nowhere. Really more trouble than it's worth this Big Picture thing (and yes unchecking "Guide Button Focuses Steam" doesn't do ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ as everyone is reporting)

That being said, now I can use my guide button again, finally, but when I use Guide Button + Right Trigger my steam closes. All of it. Like if I clicked "Exit Steam" in the bottom right corner of the screen. Really annoying : / When will their controller config ever work correctly? It's like Groundhog Day in here!

[tintingaroo]

Publicado originalmente por Dax:

I wonder if it's a Steam crash you're seeing...
What controller are you using?
Is there some other program accessing the controller other than Steam?
What's RT mapped to on the Guide Button Chord configuration? Left Mouse is the default for all controller types I think.

[FredEffinChopin]

Publicado originalmente por CFW Magic:

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

It is. Dude, I'm totally getting owned, and you don't look like a psychopath at all. I don't know what to do!

Still working? Damn. You're really THAT desperate for attention huh? Keep at it doggo. BARK!

Anyway this was fun but I actually gotta get back to work so I'll be off for a prolonged amount of time again. I'm sure you being delusional and crying incessantly because you've been proven an ignorant shill is going to keep things entertaining for a long time to come.

Thankyou for the entertainment. Carry on projecting!

"I know what this guy isn't ready for. Reverse psychology!!! Heheheh, he won't know what to do. My god, I wonder if anyone else has ever thought of this. I must look so cool right now."

[CFW Magic]

Publicado originalmente por FredEffinChopin:

"I know what this guy isn't ready for. Reverse psychology!!! Heheheh, he won't know what to do. My god, I wonder if anyone else has ever thought of this. I must look so cool right now."

Good doggo! Have a biscuit! Bark boy! Bark!

Ah. I don't have a biscuit. Have an attaboy instead.