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Turn off Steam’s own startup option first: open Steam, go to Settings (or Preferences on some Mac versions) > Interface, and disable Run Steam when my computer starts. If Steam still opens after you sign in, disable its separate startup entry in Windows or remove it from macOS Login Items. These changes keep Steam installed and available to launch manually.
Stop Steam from starting automatically on Windows
Turn off Steam’s startup preference
- Open Steam and click Steam in the upper-left corner.
- Select Settings, then choose Interface.
- Turn off Run Steam when my computer starts, or the equivalent startup option shown in your client.
- Close the Settings window, then exit Steam completely: use Steam > Exit or the Steam icon in the notification area and choose its exit command. Closing the window alone may leave Steam running.
- Sign out and back in, or restart Windows, to check the result.
Steam’s client labels can change between builds. See Steam Support’s startup instructions if the option is in a different place.
Disable Steam in Windows Startup apps
The Steam preference and Windows’ startup list are separate controls. If Steam still launches, turn off its operating-system entry. Microsoft documents these steps for Windows 10 and Windows 11:
- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Startup.
- Find Steam and switch it off.
- Sign out and back in, or restart, to test.
Microsoft also documents managing the same list in Task Manager: right-click Start, open Task Manager > Startup apps, select Steam, and click Disable. Task Manager’s startup-impact category describes startup impact, not Steam’s total resource use after it has started. See Microsoft’s guide to configuring startup applications.
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If Steam is not listed in Windows Startup apps
A Steam shortcut in a Startup folder can also launch the client at sign-in. To check the current Windows user’s folder:
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter
shell:startupand press Enter. - If there is a Steam shortcut, delete the shortcut—not the Steam application.
To check the folder shared by all users, repeat the steps with shell:common startup. Confirm that you are checking the Windows account that experiences the problem. Microsoft also lists Registry startup locations, but warns that Registry changes can have unintended consequences; do not edit them as a routine fix.
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Stop Steam from starting automatically on Mac
Turn off Steam’s startup preference
- Open Steam and click Steam in the macOS menu bar.
- Choose Settings or Preferences, then open Interface.
- Turn off Run Steam when my computer starts, or the equivalent option in your client.
- Quit Steam fully with Steam > Quit Steam or Command-Q.
- Log out and back in, or restart the Mac, to test.
Older Mac instructions may say Preferences; newer client builds may say Settings. Look under Interface for the startup option. Steam’s official startup instructions provide the client’s current guidance.
Remove Steam from macOS Login Items
If Steam still opens at login, remove its separate login entry. On current macOS, use Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login, select Steam and click the remove button. Apple describes these items as apps that open automatically when you start up or log in to your Mac; see Apple’s guide to apps that open at login.
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Older macOS guides may give the former route, System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items. On current releases, use System Settings instead.
Understand the background-activity control
Open at Login controls whether Steam launches as an app when you sign in. The separate background-activity controls in Login Items & Extensions govern whether an app may perform tasks while it is not open, such as checking for updates or syncing. Changing a background permission is not the same as removing Steam from Open at Login, and it may not prevent the app window from opening. Only change an entry that clearly identifies Steam; avoid disabling unrelated system extensions or services.
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- Ultra-fast LIGHTSPEED wireless technology gives you a lag-free gaming experience, delivering incredible responsiveness and reliability with 1 ms report rate for competition-level performance
- G305 wireless mouse boasts an incredible 250 hours of continuous gameplay on just 1 AA battery; switch to Endurance mode via Logitech G HUB software and extend battery life up to 9 months
- Wireless does not have to mean heavy, G305 lightweight mouse provides high maneuverability coming in at only 3.4 oz thanks to efficient lightweight mechanical design and ultra-efficient battery usage
- The durable, compact design with built-in nano receiver storage makes G305 not just a great portable desktop mouse, but also a great laptop travel companion, use with a gaming laptop and play anywhere
If Steam still opens after you disable startup
Use the symptom to distinguish a startup entry from session restoration, a game launch, or a client that never quit:
| What you see | Possible explanation | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Steam opens after Windows sign-in | Steam may still be enabled in Windows Startup apps or Task Manager. | Turn off its startup entry in Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager > Startup apps. |
| Steam is absent from the Windows startup list | A shortcut in a per-user or all-users Startup folder may launch it. | Check shell:startup and shell:common startup. |
| Steam opens after Mac login | It may still be in Open at Login. | Check System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. |
| Steam returns after restarting the Mac, especially if it was open at shutdown | macOS may be restoring the previous session rather than using a login item. | Quit Steam before restarting. In the shutdown or restart dialog, clear Reopen windows when logging back in. Apple also documents System Settings > Desktop & Dock > Close windows when quitting an application for macOS Ventura or later. See Apple’s guidance on reopening apps and windows. |
| Steam opens only after you start a game | The game shortcut or launcher may be invoking the Steam client. | This is distinct from Steam launching at sign-in; disabling startup does not stop a game from opening Steam when it requires the client. |
| The window disappears, but Steam remains active | Closing the window may not quit the client. | Choose Steam > Exit on Windows or Steam > Quit Steam on Mac. |
| Steam starts despite the normal settings | A third-party launcher, utility, or automation may be starting it. | Check other launch tools before considering advanced system changes. |
On Mac, Apple’s temporary test can help determine whether login items are involved: at the login window, hold Shift while clicking Log In. If the login window does not appear, restart and hold Shift when the progress bar appears. If you need to isolate a problematic item, Apple also recommends removing login items, restarting, and adding them back one at a time; see Apple’s login-item troubleshooting guide.
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What changes when Steam no longer starts at login?
- You can still open Steam manually, and installed games remain installed.
- A game started from a desktop shortcut, the Start menu, Finder, or another launcher may open Steam if it needs the client.
- Updates, cloud synchronization, chat, notifications, overlay features, and controller-related features may not initialize until Steam runs. Exact behavior depends on Steam settings, operating-system permissions, and the game.
- Disabling startup can reduce login clutter and avoid unnecessary startup activity, but it does not guarantee a measurable boot-time improvement on every computer.
Turn Steam startup back on
Reverse the control you changed: re-enable Steam’s startup option under Steam > Settings/Preferences > Interface, switch Steam back on under Windows Settings > Apps > Startup or Task Manager, or add it again under Mac System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions > Open at Login.
Do you need to uninstall Steam?
No. Uninstalling Steam is unnecessary if you only want it to stop launching at sign-in. Use the app and operating-system startup controls instead; uninstall only if you want to remove the client itself.
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