How to prevent Steam from starting automatically on Windows 11

If you're a dedicated gamer, Steam is almost certainly among the top apps installed on your Windows PC. You might also have no problem with it launching as soon as you turn on your computer. Or do you? If you want to prevent Steam from launching automatically on Windows 11, you'll find it here. all the ways to achieve it.

Why does Steam start as soon as Windows 11 boots?

It should be noted that Steam's automatic startup is not an abnormal behavior of the application. Many other programs and applications do this too. as a normal part of their operation. In fact, this setting is usually activated during installation, unless you take the precaution of unchecking the box that allows it.

A classic example of autostart is Spotify: if you don't control it, it will start automatically in the background. (See the topic How to stop Spotify from running only in the background on your PC). Why do they do it? Basically, for comfort: A music lover (like me) or an avid gamer will have no problem with these applications running as soon as Windows starts.

In the case of Steam, having it always running in the background offers advantages to the dedicated gamer. For example, You can launch games instantly and receive immediate notifications of messages or invitationsOn the other hand, preventing Steam from starting automatically on Windows 11 can be useful in certain cases.

Reasons to prevent Steam from starting automatically

Al install steam For the first time, the program enables the option to start with Windows by default. This is clearly intended to give you immediate access to your library, updates, messages, and other features. Is this option annoying? Prevent Steam from starting automatically. It's much more than a question of comfortSome reasons for doing so are:

• Better startup performance, especially if you have a modest computer. Also, remember that Windows suffers from a multitude of background processes. If you want to optimize your computer's startup, it's best to disable the automatic startup of any non-essential applications.
• Greater focus and productivity, since having Steam just a click away can be a distraction trap. If you want to focus on other important tasks (work, school), you'd be wise to prevent Steam from launching automatically.
• Lower resource consumption, especially if you play sporadically. If you only use Steam a couple of times a week, there's no point in it taking up unnecessary resources.

How to Stop Steam from Starting Automatically on Windows 11: All the Ways

Indeed, Steam's automatic launch, although well-intentioned, can become a nuisance. The good news is that regaining control is very simpleYou can prevent Steam from launching automatically by making some changes to the app's settings and Windows 11's own configuration. Below, we'll show you all the possible ways to achieve this.

Method 1: From Steam Settings

La most direct and simple way To prevent Steam from launching automatically, you need to modify its internal settings. Within the app's settings, there's an option to disable automatic launch. It takes a few seconds to find, and if you change your mind, you can easily undo it. Do it like this:

1. Open the Steam app.
2. Click on Steam in the top left-hand corner.
3. Select option Parameters o Configuration.
4. Now, in the side menu, select Interface.
5. Inside, look for the box that says Run Steam on startup and uncheck it.
6. Click on Accept To save the changes.

This will prevent Steam from automatically starting the next time you turn on your computer. Now, if the system still loads it by other means, it is recommended that you try the following methods.

Method 2: From Windows 11 Task Manager

If you can't prevent Steam from starting automatically with Windows 11 from its own settings, you'll need to go to the Task Manager. This is a native Windows tool that provides an overview of the processes running on your system. It also It allows you to stop problematic processes and, of course, view and stop applications that run at startup.How do you do it? Easy:

1. Open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc or by right-clicking on the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
2. In the left menu, select the tab Start. If Task Manager opens in compact mode, click More details to view the Startup tab.
3. A list of processes and programs that run at Windows startup will appear. Locate Steam Client Bootstrapper (or any entry that says Steam).
4. Right click on it and select To disable.

This action tells Windows to ignore Steam's request to run at startup. It's also a good idea to take a look at the processes that might be causing slowness. If you need help with this, see the entry How to use Task Manager to identify slow processes.

Method 3: Prevent Steam from starting automatically from Windows 11 Settings

A third alternative to prevent Steam from starting automatically is to go to Windows SettingsBoth Windows 10 and Windows 11 allow you to manage startup apps from their settings panel. It's simple:

1. Click on Start and then on Configuration (or press Windows + I).
2. In the left side menu, select Applications & AFTER Start.
3. You'll see a list of apps with switches to enable or disable their automatic launch. Locate Steam.
4. If it's listed, just toggle the switch off and you're done.

This method is much more user-friendly for most users than Task Manager. And it has the same effect: it prevents the application from starting as soon as you turn on your computer.

In conclusion, you now know how to prevent Steam from automatically starting on your Windows computer. Use the method that works best for you and regain concentration while using the computer for anything other than gaming. By applying the suggestions indicated, you can also You will notice that Windows starts faster and improves its overall performance.