Steam games installing drivers that I already have?

STU9000 · 07 Mar 2012

I've been using Steam, checking out some demos and stuff. But everytime I install a new game, annoyingly through their software it wants to install drivers I already have!

I think I already have them, certainly I should be up to date with Direct X. I'm not sure though. I tend to click cancel and then open the game. They usually work fine after that.

It strikes me that third party software taking control of the installation of games and perhaps installing drivers that i may already have is a recipe for potential system problems.

Is there anyway to block it from installing these drivers? Or should I just follow their prompts and let it do what it has to because it wont cause any problems?

BCXtreme · 07 Mar 2012

My copy of Steam does the same thing. Most notably, it installs DirectX with every new game I get. I have not experienced any difficulties with this so far. As far as I know, this is a function of Steam itself, so I don't think you have to worry about third-party games installing bad drivers or anything like that.

Additionally, as far as I know, installing a driver that was already installed on your computer won't do anything at all. Basically, Steam would just be replacing files with the exact same files. So as far as I know, there really isn't any potential for problems. As I said, I have not yet encountered any problems related to this process.

On a side note: I agree with you, this "feature" of Steam is unbelievably irritating.

You wouldn't think it would be that hard for Steam to simply check the status of DirectX on a machine before attempting to install it. Or even better, program Steam to just install DirectX once along with itself. But apparently that is somehow too complicated for them.

STU9000 · 07 Mar 2012

If it's replacing files that are already there then does this not cause your disk to become fragmented or create problems with the registry? I just bought a new machine and I'm trying to keep it running smoothly.

Gromit1710 · 07 Mar 2012

My steam client does the same thing. New game = first time set up and a mandatory Direct X 9 install. Don't know why either. It does lead to me having every release of C++ redistributable lined up on my machine.....

I wouldn't worry about it messing anything up. If you are, just defragment your HD occasionally (Windows 7 is set to do this automatically) or log off at night and let TRIM do it's job for us SSD folks.

STU9000 · 07 Mar 2012

What about CCleaner does that help to deal with the problem?

If I cancel the operation in the Steam prompt does it actually cancel it? That's what I've been doing since I saw it come up, and then I restart the game and it seems to work.

Wishmaster · 07 Mar 2012

Almost all games, even retail games on disc will re-install DirectX, NetFramework etc if its required.

Its nothing to worry about, and I would just let it do it.
It will not overwrite files with older ones, but will update to a newer version or add anything special that particular game needs.

If your DirectX, and other required redistributables are up to date, the game will run without re-installing them. But, as mentioned, theres no harm in allowing it to go through the process and probably a good idea.