Is it going to run needlessly in the background while I'm not using it sucking up memory and CPU? Is it going to scan my contacts and files and upload them to their server? Is it going to start up with Windows and monitor my program activity and spawn pop-ups and hijack my search bar etc etc etc?
What exactly is this thing going to do after I install it?
Not trying to be funny but I'm not sure what you're asking as any program can do the things you're worried about.
Bottom line is Steam runs very well and uses very little resources, especially if you don't leave it running all the time. But even if it is running all the time, with today's systems, are you really that short on memory???
I would guess most of your internet browsers have more of a footprint than Steam.
Steam do have to run all the time if you wanna play any game from it.. No Steam doesn't suck up memory or CPU and it is very well optimized to use least resources where you wont feel any difference and slow downs while running windows when Steam is running. No it does not scan your contacts or files or whatever you have stored in your HDD. Yes by default it runs and automatically signs in when you start windows but it can be simply disabled from the options and you can log/sign-in whenever you want and logout vice versa. No it does not monitor any other program activity or spawn and pop-ups at all or hijack any of the search bar and Steam runs completely separate independently. Steam is not just another software it's a multi-million platform and has millions of users from all over the world and it is now considered one of the best client for Gaming as compared to EA's Origin or Ubisoft's UPlay. Steam is fast, most user-friendly, very well secured program that doesn't leak or upload any of the info from the user. Hope it helps.
And yes lastly.. When you install it in your Windows you can play dozens of Free-2-Play online games by downloading for free or you can Purchase any game you like from thousands of titles out there available for PC. Steam is Digital Platform for Games where you don't have to go and buy a hard copy from the shelves and just buy legit game online and download and play and all the purchases are bind to your account forever.
Steam doesn't really do anything unless you absolutely jam its network connecting system (opening too many tabs through steam client and using steam community way too much) or opening 8 games at once. Besides that, it does nothing
Like Boogieboy stated Steam is used by millions of people, it is by far the best platform for digital game buying and also includes free-to-play games. I have never had any issue with steam using CPU or running anything that I did not ask it too. I would not worry about steam it is a reliable and well trusted. You can also snag a lot of bargains though their regular sales or daily deals.
Thanks,
Phill3990
That's because the only thing it probably can't run on is an old smartphone - Steam for Mobile Devices :)
Thanks! I want to install it on a dual-core laptop with 3GB of RAM, so I'll try it and see.
Like everyone else said, it's totally reliable and doesn't scan the things you mentioned. I say give a go and see if you like it.
- it's relatively unobtrusive, though it will update occasionally
- if you want to, you can remove it from Start-up via "msconfig"
- it can get quite large, if you're not careful...
- mine has reached 168G in size, so far..
- I installed Steam on my HD to avoid it eating up SSD space..
I can have Steam running in the background no problems at all, except if I have FireFox running together with Steam Idled then my computer would slow down because of FireFox's memory hogging.
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