How to use the old Steam library

Steam updated the library for everyone. While I like the new one, I think it was too soon to force it for everyone and it should have stayed in the beta longer or be optional.
If you have a weak computer and hate how it consumes more RAM and CPU power, or you just prefer the old library for any reason, this guide is for you!

#1 Small mode

We'll start with something you can do without having to alter the files.
The small mode is still accessible even after the update (as the only part of the old library UI), it's just hidden.

First option:

All you need to do is enter this URL command into your browser or Windows Run dialog (Win+R):

steam://open/minigameslist

To get back, select View -> Library.

Advantage: has the old design and functionality of the small mode.

Disadvantage: new library UI won't unload, so your RAM usage will still be higher than before the update.

Second option:

Create shortcut to Steam.exe (or change the existing one). Use right click -> Properties -> Shortcut -> Target and at the end add:

-no-browser +open steam://open/minigameslist

so it looks like this: D:\Games\Steam\Steam.exe -no-browser +open steam://open/minigameslist


Advantage: has the old design and functionality of the small mode AND consume minimum RAM memory (around 50 MB) when running = the most lightweight Steam client you can get, with old Friends list.

Disadvantage: the Steam browser is fully disabled - no access to websites like Store or Community.

Tip: You can always use -noverifyfiles launch option to make Steam startup faster. This is working with the new library update as well.

#2 Old library (and how to disable client updates)

For this one we are going to need to replace files in the Steam folder with files from the latest old library Steam client, which you can download here: Steam old library (OneDrive)[1drv.ms].

In the next step we have to set Steam to not update itself, which can be achieved in three ways:

First option:

After you replace the files, change Steam.exe shortcut Target by adding these launch options at the end:

-noverifyfiles -nobootstrapupdate -skipinitialbootstrap

so it looks like this: D:\Games\Steam\Steam.exe -noverifyfiles -nobootstrapupdate -skipinitialbootstrap

As long as you run the Steam only with shortcut changed like this (don't click restart on any prompt from the client), the client should never update itself (thus force the new library update).

Second option:

Create or edit steam.cfg file in the main Steam directory (where steam.exe is) by adding these lines:

BootStrapperInhibitAll=enable
BootStrapperForceSelfUpdate=disable

This should completely prevent the update from happening. You don't have to alter the shortcut.
Source: YouTube channel Leeson

Third option:

You can deny write permissions to package folder, where Steam saves new files while updating - delete everything from this folder, then:

Right click -> Properties -> Security -> Edit -> Add... -> enter your Windows username -> OK -> click on it -> select Deny - Write -> 2× OK

If this isn't working for some reason, you can try to Deny Full control for your account as well as Users. If you want to manipulate with this folder in the future and Windows doesn't let you, you will have to uncheck all checkboxes in the Deny column.
Source: Steam user Unknown (from the comments section)

Now you can happily continue to use the old library as you were used to.
How long is it going to be functional? Nobody knows, but I'm pretty sure it is going to work for quite a while.

Questions

If you have any questions, something in this guide is unclear or doesn't work, write me in the comments. I'll answer them, if possible.
Have fun!

[yarrmateys]

i wonder if it'd maybe be possible to link the windows/linux libraries, so that you could update the games through linux, then play these updated games on windows where steam is in offline mode. if it goes the same as xp vista, then the old working version will cease to work after a few days and that'll be that.

[$Petr_Marak$]

Few days after the XP/Vista support ended, there was an update, after which you got an error message "Failed to load steamui.dll" and it just wouldn't start anymore.

Offline should work, like you say, but if you stay on the old (working) version, you keep access to updating / downloading games and other online functionality, so there's a benefit.

It's been a while I tried Steam on Linux for the last time, it was before Proton, so I must give it a try sometime. I know it should be pretty good now.

[yarrmateys]

i backed up the one before the most recent one. i don't like how the message on top sounded, almost like a killswitch or something, preventing it from working once the timer runs out. as long as it's started in offline mode the access to library should hopefully be permanent. and if all else fails, i guess there's always linux. it's getting pretty good these days, i'm able to play most games on it no problem.

[$Petr_Marak$]

@yarrmateys Yes, I believe it will be the same situation.
Steam client won't start anymore after the January 1 2024 date, but if you don't let it update, the old version will work for at least a few more months.

I'll try to backup the last stable Win7/8.1 client at the end of this year and share link to it, as I did with the XP one.

I will then either update this guide or create a new one.

[yarrmateys]

this will be useful come 2024 for win7/8 users, as it probably was useful for winxp/vista users in the past.

[Clan Wolf]

opened the client just now in the updated state of new library and webpages working, restart client and it goes away. wtf

[Dr Dolamite]

I love how the new client freezes all the time. Not sure why they did this update anyways. It goes back to that old saying of if it's not broken, don't fix it.

[$Petr_Marak$]

@Unknown Hi, thanks for mentioning it! I've found this possibility myself when I was trying to disable updates because of the XP/Vista end of support about a year ago.

I've updated the guide to include all three possibilities.

[Unknown]

Hey. If you block write option to folder steam\package after doing method 2, then steam won't be able to download any update in background, so you will never get prompt to restart ;)

[kkitts]

The new library client is still broken for me. I'm getting update glitches even after the Support people told me to disable GPU acceleration on my end. My Steam screens are breaking up at times, and causing my clicks to occur in the wrong places.

Thanks, Steam, you ruined a good product, like Coca-Cola ruined Coke with New Coke.

Rule number 1: if it's controversial, keep the old system in the code, and put a toggle on the new feature, so that people who hate it (like me) can go back to the old, MORE EFFICIENT, ACTUALLY WORKING CODE.