- To stop Steam from opening at startup, you'll need to remove it from your computer's startup applications list.
- When you install it, Steam is set as a default application, meaning it will open whenever you log into your computer.
- The method to stop Steam from opening on startup differs slightly between Windows 10 and macOS, but you can also do it through the Steam application on any OS.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
You have a Steam account to play your favorite computer games, but the truth is you don't play games that much. Or, at the very least, not on a specific computer.
So when Steam is constantly in your face whenever you turn on your computer, slowing down your startup times, it might be the first item on your chopping block.
Fortunately, you don't have to uninstall Steam — you can instead stop it from opening on startup, so it only launches when you want to use it.
You can disable Steam from opening at startup in several ways, including through the application itself, or through your operating system.
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How to stop Steam from opening at startup
Through Steam itself
1. Click "Steam" in the top-left corner of the screen, and select "Settings" if you're on PC, or "Preferences" if you're on a Mac.
2. In the menu that opens, select "Interface" in the left sidebar.
3. Uncheck the box next to "Run Steam when my computer starts."
In Windows 10
1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, or click the logo at the bottom left of your screen, and search for "Startup applications."
2. Click "Startup" in the search results. It should be the first option.
3. Find "Steam Client Bootstrapper" in the list of applications. If it's switched "On," click the switch to toggle it off.
Alternatively, you can also disable applications from launching at startup through your Task Manager. This method also works in Windows 8.
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete. In the menu that appears, select "Open Task Manager." You can also search for Task Manager in the Windows menu, or right-click the Windows logo and select "Task Manager" from the right-click menu.
2. At the top of Task Manager, click the "Startup" tab.
3. Find Steam in the list of startup programs and right-click it, and then select "Disable."
On a Mac
1. Click the Apple logo icon at the top-left of your screen.
2. Select "System Preferences..."
3. Select "Users and Groups."
4. Click the lock at the bottom-left of the menu and enter your password to make changes, and then select "Login Items" at the top of the menu.
5. Click on Steam in this menu to highlight it, then click on the "-" symbol at the bottom of the menu to remove it from startup.
Alternatively, if the Steam application icon is in the dock at the bottom of your screen:
1. Right-click on the icon.
2. In the right-click menu, hover your mouse over "Options."
3. If "Open at Login" has a checkmark next to it, click it to toggle that off.
Regardless of what operating system you've done this for, Steam will now only open when you choose to open it — whenever that may be.
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
How to redeem a Steam gift card code to add funds to your Steam Wallet, or download a specific game
You can refund games you buy on Steam, but there's a time limit — here's how to get your money back
How to add friends on Steam in 3 different ways, so you always know when they're ready to play
'How much is my Steam account worth?': How to figure out how expensive your game library is, and how much time you've spent playing
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