Steam is also available for Mac and Linux, but the default download/installer is for Windows. To get the Linux or Mac version look for the links under the install steam button on the download page. Steam Community: Steam Artwork. Oh yeaaaaaasssssss.
Yes, Steam is installed No, I need Steam Steam is free to join and easy to use. Learn more about Steam. Navigate to your Steam directory using the option of Browse. The default location for Steam is (C: Program Files Steam). If you installed Steam another directory, you can also browse to that. Once you have selected the Steam folder, click on ADD found at the bottom left side of the screen. Press OK and Steam is now added to global exceptions of. Pick the 'Automatic Install' option to wipe the first hard disk in your system and install SteamOS to it. For more sophisticated booting - e.g. Dual-boot or custom partition sizes - select the 'Expert' or 'Power User' options - thse are documented on the Wiki.
After catching our breath and believing the fractured space of PC game launchers had calmed down for a second, yet another contender arrived on Tuesday: Rockstar Games.
The simply named Rockstar Games Launcher went live worldwide on Tuesday on Windows PCs, and it includes the ability to purchase and install a range of Rockstar-developed games (and their associated microtransactions). This is the first time Rockstar has offered direct purchases of its PC games, as opposed to serving games on services such as Steam. With that in mind, the launcher also lets players find and boot existing Rockstar games' Steam installations.
Currently, the app includes zero exclusives or apparent discounts compared to other retailers, so why should gamers install it?
For now, there's one carrot-dangle: a free copy of 2004's Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (currently $14.99 on rival services like Steam). Rockstar did not confirm exactly how long this freebie offer will last. For now, once you install the launcher, it immediately advertises your ability to claim a free GTA:SA license. (This only works within the Rockstar launcher, as opposed to providing a code that can be loaded into another service.)
[Update, 3pm ET: Since this article has gone live, we've discovered another reason to install RGL, though it's arguably not a welcome one. Rockstar has now mandated the launcher's installation in order to boot certain games available on Steam. I uninstalled RGL from my testing rig, then attempted to boot my existing Steam installation of Grand Theft Auto V. At that time, Steam automatically loaded the RGL installation process. Thus, there is currently no way to play GTA V without having Rockstar's new launcher active. Rockstar isn't the first to do this, by the way; publishers like Ubisoft mandate similar launcher requirements in their Steam games.]
Advertisement As far as a good reason for the launcher's existence, I can't help but read between the lines. Ever since the launch of Red Dead Redemption II on Xbox One and PS4 consoles last year, rumors and speculation have pointed to an impending PC version of the game. And like Grand Theft Auto V before it, RDR2 includes a massive, microtransaction-fueled online mode. Rockstar may very well believe that a game as big as RDR2 is convincing enough for fans to skip existing launchers and install yet another EXE on their Windows machines to play the company's most recent open-world adventure.The below gallery explores exactly how the launcher works as of today's launch. In terms of native game launching, it includes positives like cloud save support and simple 'move files to new directory' options (features that the Epic Games Store is still fumbling). But it has negatives, too, like a lack of an easily selectable 'downloads' management tab. The launcher also includes a full-fledged store with a variety of global payment systems, but as of press time, it only offers Rockstar's catalog of PC games—and it's missing a significant number of Rockstar classics, including GTA 1, 2, and 4, Midnight Club 2, and Max Payne 1 & 2.
Rockstar Games did not immediately respond to our questions about whether to expect other developers' games on the service or whether Rockstar will launch any games exclusively on RGL in the future.
Every gamer needs Steam irrespectively of what other apps or platforms he/she plays on. If you are a PC gamer like me, you are on Steam and for a good reason. It's your window to the gaming world. That is also why it is so frustrating when Steam doesn't open on your Windows 10 computer.
Sure, you can also download games from the Microsoft Store, but that won't give you the same experience as Valve's Steam. Apart from better download experience, Steam also offers a massive library of games with regular sale events. Let's see how we can get you back in the game.
1. Kill Process and Relaunch
It is possible that the Steam client is stuck due to a bug and you need to restart it. Maybe you didn't close the app properly last time, and Windows might be assuming that it is already running. The fastest way to fix the problem is to kill the associated process in the Task Manager.
Step 1: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys on your keyboard to open the Task Manager. Find the 'Steam Client Bootstrapper' process under the Processes tab, right-click on it, and select End task.
Step 2: Wait a few moments to allow it to close and then launch it back again. See if it opens.
2. Clear Steam App Cache Data
At least one person must've told you to clear browser cache data or app cache on your Android. Similarly, Steam app also stores cache data on your computer clearing which can solve quite a few problems. Like the one you are facing where Steam is not opening on your Windows 10 PC.
Step 1: Press Windows key+R to open the Run prompt and type 'steam://flushconfig' before hitting Enter.
That will directly clear the Steam app cache without you having to do anything manually. Note that you will need to sign back into your Steam account. Any process running inside Steam will stop and terminated. For example, you will lose any game that was being downloaded and was midway.
3. Reboot
That will kill all running background processes. One of them could be interfering with Steam. It is also possible that you have too many apps or processes running, resulting in a lack of resources to run the Steam app. Steam is a heavy app and needs a lot of computing power to run and perform, especially when playing games.
4. Use Browser or App
This is a temporary fix until you figure out what's wrong with your Steam app on Windows. While you can't play games using the web or mobile app, you can communicate with friends or purchase that new game on sale.
5. Remove External Devices
Disconnect all accessories and devices that you have connected to your computer like mouse, keyboard, drives, and so on. Is Steam opening now? One of them could be causing a conflict. Connect them one at a time to find out which one was causing the issue. Possible solutions would include updating drivers.
6. Check External HDD/SSD
Have you installed Steam on an external HDD/SSD? May be the Steam app doesn't have any problem. It's possible that the installation or where it is installed is facing a snag. If you've stored the Steam Game library on an external or a separate HDD/SSD, try reconnecting it. Since it's beyond the scope of this post, we recommend you to try out as the last resort.
7. Disable Overclocking
Many gamers overclock their system to extract maximum performance out of their CPU and GPU. A good solution if you know what you are doing. Otherwise, it can cause all sorts of problems including the one you are facing right now. Whether it's ThrottleStop or any other app, disable overclocking now and reboot your computer to check if Steam is opening correctly or not.
8. Clean Install
Did you recently install an app on your Windows computer? Made some significant changes? A clean boot will help you find and eliminate conflicting apps while restoring to a previous point in time will help undo known/unknown changes you made that resulted in the Steam app not working on your computer.
9. Reinstall Steam
You won't lose any data or game progress. I recommend using an app like Revo Uninstaller to remove the Steam app. That will perform a deep clean and remove even leftover files like old registry files, among others. A fresh and clean install should help.
Note that you will have to re-download all games back, which can be time and bandwidth consuming. To avoid doing so, take a back up of the 'steamapps' folder. You will find it inside the primary Steam folder inside the drive where you installed the Steam app. For most users, that's the C drive.
Download the latest stable version of Steam and install it. Move the steamapps folder back inside the primary Steam folder and launch the Steam app.
Download SteamMore Steam
Steam is probably one of the best things that happened to the PC gaming community. It's no wonder that pretty much all gamers have Steam on their system. The community feedback is really good and there are plenty of guides, and whatnot to solve all sorts of problems. You can ask your fellow Steam users for help though one of the above steps should have fixed the Steam not opening on Windows computer error.
Next up:Valve's Steam is an awesome gaming distribution service but it's always good to have options by your side. So, here are the five alternatives to Steam.
The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.
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