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Windows September 12, 2003
OS X May 12, 2010
Linux February 14, 2013
Digital Distribution
Key points
- DRM: Digital distribution platform with accompanying client required for downloading and often playing games as well. Games can also be DRM-Free or contain third party DRM.
- Refund policy: 14 days or 2 hours of playtime, 24 hours for Steam Workshop purchases; see the Steam Refunds and Steam Workshop Refund Policy pages for details respectively.[1]
- Some games sold through third parties activate on Steam; see Retail / Digital CD Keys.
- Periodic free weekend and individual publisher-driven events provide temporary and permanent free access to select titles.
General information
- Official store
- Official Support
- Account details
- Steam Community Forums
- Steam Users' Forums
- Steam Database
Big Picture
- This mode can be launched by clicking on the Big Picture icon, by pushing Alt+↵ Enter while the Steam window is on focus, or through the home button on a controller.
- See PC gaming on a TV and couch for general setup information.
- Allows Steam to be used with a controller.
Adjust font size DPI
- Steam does not always respect the Windows dpi settings. This hack adjusts Steam's DPI.
- Appears to work if the Windows DPI settings are also adjusted above 100% size.
Taskbar showing on top
- This is caused by the incompatibility with DPI scaling in Windows.
Speed up Big Picture web browser
- Windows, for compatibility reasons, has Automatically Detect Proxy settings enabled. It can add significant lag to loading web pages in Steam as well as other internet dependent applications, and is not usually required.[2]
- Fix can benefit other applications such as Chrome.[3]
Family Sharing
- Steam Family Sharing allows Steam users to share games.
- Each player gets their own achievements, saves, etc.
- The owner can't play any game without kicking the borrower (after a grace period).[4]
- Some games are not available for sharing, e.g. those with third-party DRM; refer to The Big List of 3rd Party DRM on Steam for details.
Issues fixed
Error 80 And Application Load Error P:0000065432
- Restart Steam.
Failed To Find Steam
Restart Steam. If this doesn't work, then see Delete ClientRegistry.blob.
Failed to start game. App already running
- This may appear when launching the same game twice. Restart Steam if it still appears.
Game fails to launch or has odd gamebreaking issues
- First recommended step before troubleshooting any other issues.
Lowered volume when using background Metro apps while Steam is open (Windows 8)
Steam fails to launch
Delete ClientRegistry.blob
- Steam updates sometimes fail to progress, or the message Failed to find Steam appears.
Reinstalling Steam
- If the other solutions don't work, then follow these instructions.
- Every Steam game should be installed in a separate folder, outside the main Steam installation location, this makes it easier to play and backup such games again.
Step One
Step Two
- Both OS X and Linux users can simply remove Steam as they normally would, Windows users should not skip this step however.
Step Three
Unable to download any games
- Steam servers are currently unavailable, Steam servers are too busy, The Steam servers are currently too busy to handle your request. Please try again in a few minutes.
Unable to log in
- Steam has an official support page for most network issues here.
- Alternatively Steam can also be launched as an admin.
Other information
Change a game's language
Delete files stored in the Steam Cloud
Disable Steam announcements
Steam Offline Mode
- The Offline Mode can only be forced after having logged into Steam at least once with a working internet connection.
Toggle Steam Cloud per game
Toggle the Steam overlay per game
References
