This article explains how to prevent Steam from automatically launching at startup on Windows and macOS. It details methods using the Task Manager (Windows) and System Preferences (macOS) to remove Steam from startup applications. Registry editing

How to Stop Steam from Opening on Startup
This question addresses how to prevent Steam from automatically launching when your computer starts. There are several ways to achieve this, depending on your operating system (Windows or macOS). The core principle involves removing Steam from the list of applications that launch on startup.
For Windows:
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Using the Task Manager:
- Open the Task Manager (Ctrl Shift Esc).
- Go to the "Startup" tab.
- Locate "Steam" or any related Steam processes in the list.
- Select the Steam entry and click "Disable." This will prevent Steam from automatically starting with Windows.
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Using the Steam Client: While you can't directly disable the startup feature within the Steam client itself, adjusting the settings can indirectly affect this. Ensure you're not using a feature like Steam's in-game overlay which may initiate a background process that triggers automatic startup.
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Modifying the Registry (Advanced Users Only): This method is for advanced users only and should be approached with caution. Incorrectly modifying the registry can damage your system. If you're comfortable with this, you can search for Steam's startup entries in the registry and delete them. However, this is generally unnecessary as the Task Manager method is safer and more effective.
For macOS:
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Using System Preferences:
- Open System Preferences.
- Go to "Users & Groups."
- Select your user account.
- Click the "Login Items" tab.
- Locate "Steam" in the list of login items.
- Select "Steam" and click the "-" button to remove it. This prevents Steam from launching automatically when you log into your macOS account.
Can I Prevent Steam from Automatically Launching When I Turn On My Computer?
Yes, absolutely. As detailed in the previous answer, you can completely prevent Steam from automatically launching when you turn on your computer. This is achieved by disabling its startup entry within your operating system's startup application list (Task Manager for Windows, Login Items for macOS). By removing Steam from this list, the application will no longer launch automatically upon system startup.
How do I Disable Steam's Startup Feature in Windows/MacOS?
Disabling Steam's startup feature is done by removing it from the list of applications that launch at system startup. The precise steps vary slightly between Windows and macOS, as explained previously:
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Windows: Use the Task Manager's Startup tab to disable Steam. Alternatively, for advanced users, registry editing can be employed (though this is generally not recommended unless you are highly experienced).
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macOS: Access System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items to remove Steam from the list of login items.
What are the Steps to Stop Steam from Loading at System Startup?
The steps to stop Steam from loading at system startup are essentially the same as disabling Steam's startup feature, as described above. To reiterate:
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Windows: Disable Steam in the Task Manager's Startup tab.
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macOS: Remove Steam from the Login Items list in System Preferences.
By following these steps for your specific operating system, you will successfully prevent Steam from automatically launching when your computer starts, ensuring a faster boot time and a cleaner system startup process. Remember to restart your computer after making these changes to ensure they take effect.
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