How do I Stop Steam from Automatically Installing?
Steam is a popular digital distribution platform for PC gaming, but sometimes it can be annoying when it installs games or updates without your permission. In this article, we will show you how to stop Steam from automatically installing games and updates, and how to change some of its default settings to better suit your gaming preferences.
Why Does Steam Install Games Automatically?
Before we dive into how to stop Steam from automatically installing games, let’s understand why it does this in the first place. Steam is designed to automatically install games when you purchase them, so you can start playing right away. Additionally, some games require periodic updates to run smoothly, which Steam handles automatically.
However, there are times when you may not want Steam to install games automatically. For example, you might be waiting for a friend to download a game as well, or you might be using a public computer and don’t want Steam to install anything on its own.
How to Stop Steam from Automatically Installing?
If you want to stop Steam from automatically installing games and updates, there are a few things you can do:
Uninstall Automatic Updates
You can disable automatic updates by following these steps:
1. Open Steam
Open the Steam client on your computer and click on the Settings icon.
2. Select Interface
Select Interface from the list of options.
3. Disable Automatic Updates
Look for the Automatically Update the Following Files section and uncheck the box next to Selectively install updates (don’t update automatically). This will prevent Steam from installing updates automatically.
4. Click OK
Click OK to save your changes.
By disabling automatic updates, you will be notified when new updates are available, but you will need to install them manually.
Cancel Automatic Downloads
If you want to cancel a download that has started automatically, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Steam
Open the Steam client on your computer and go to your Library.
2. Select the Game
Select the game that you want to cancel the download for.
3. Right-Click
Right-click on the game and select Manage > Uninstall. This will cancel the download and uninstall the game.
4. Confirm
Click Uninstall to confirm that you want to cancel the download and uninstall the game.
Turn Off Automatic Game Installation
If you want to prevent Steam from installing games automatically, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Steam
Open the Steam client on your computer and go to your Settings.
2. Select Library
Select Library from the list of options.
3. Disable Automatic Installation
Look for the Install Updates Automatically section and uncheck the box next to Selectively install updates (don’t update automatically). This will prevent Steam from installing games automatically.
4. Click OK
Click OK to save your changes.
By turning off automatic game installation, you will be notified when new games are available for download, but you will need to download them manually.
Turn Off Automatic Updates for Individual Games
If you only want to turn off automatic updates for a specific game, you can follow these steps:
1. Open Steam
Open the Steam client on your computer and go to your Library.
2. Select the Game
Select the game for which you want to turn off automatic updates.
3. Right-Click
Right-click on the game and select Manage > Properties. This will open the game’s properties window.
4. Disable Automatic Updates
Look for the Automatic Updates section and uncheck the box next to Allow Automatic Updates. This will prevent Steam from updating the game automatically.
5. Click OK
Click OK to save your changes.
By turning off automatic updates for a specific game, you can control which games are updated automatically and which are not.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What happens if I disable automatic updates?
A: If you disable automatic updates, you will be notified when new updates are available, but you will need to install them manually. - Q: How do I turn off automatic game installation?
A: To turn off automatic game installation, go to your Settings > Library > Disable Automatic Installation. - Q: How do I cancel a download that has started automatically?
A: To cancel a download that has started automatically, right-click on the game and select Manage > Uninstall.
In conclusion, Steam can be configured to stop installing games and updates automatically by disabling automatic updates, canceling downloads, and turning off automatic game installation. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can take control of your Steam experience and make it more personalized to your gaming preferences.