What will Steam install do to my Windows 7 computer?

davesev

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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?
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built by me.
OS
Windows 10 Pro
CPU
Intel Core i7-4770K (3.5Ghz)
Motherboard
Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 (F10 Bios)
Memory
32 gig Corsair Dominator Platinum (4x8Gig)
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Tri-X R9 Fury
Sound Card
Soundblaster ZXR
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC PA242W 24" LCD Monitor
Screen Resolution
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Hard Drives
Primary - Samsung 850 Pro (512gig), Samsung 840 Pro (256gig), 2TB WD Caviar Black.
PSU
EVGA Supernova 1000 G2
Case
Cooler Master HAF X
Cooling
Corsair H100i with Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Fans
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless Wave
Mouse
Logitech Performance MX
Internet Speed
High Speed Cable
Antivirus
Norton Security
Browser
IE11
Other Info
Memory Timings - 1866MHz @ 9-9-9-27-1T @ 1.5 volts
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?

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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Windows 10 Pro
CPU
Core i5 9600K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming
Memory
Corsair Vengeance Pro 2x 8GB (16GB) 3200MHz DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
MSI GTX 1070 Gaming X 8GB
Sound Card
ASRock A-Style Purity Sound
Monitor(s) Displays
ASUS VX239H IPS
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
XPG SPECTRIX S40G 2566GB M.2 NVMe | Patriot P210 512GB SSD | Seagate BarraCuda 4TB 5400RPM
PSU
Thermaltake Smart 600w RGB 80Plus
Case
NZXT H500 with 3x Corsair HD120 RGB w/Node Pro
Cooling
Cryorig H7
Keyboard
Corsair K70 RapidFire RGB (Cherry MX Speed)
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Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury
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20MB Cable Broadband
Browser
Chrome
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Corsair MM300 Extended Anti-Fray Mouse Pad | Edifier C2 2.1ch Sound System | XBOX One S Controller | XBOX 360 Wireless Controller for Windows | APC SUA1000i Smart-UPS | PS4 Slim 500GB [Region 1 - USA]
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
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Acer
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-2370M CPU @ 2.40GHz 2.40GHz
Motherboard
Laptop
Memory
4.00(3.85 GB usable)
Graphics Card(s)
Laptop
Hard Drives
Laptop
Antivirus
None (Because they all had annoying ads and did 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:cool:
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670k CPU @ 3.40 GHz, 4 Cores
Motherboard
MSI Z87 - G45 Gaming ATX Motherboard
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce GTX 660
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio, Sound Blaster Cinema
Monitor(s) Displays
ACER S236HL 23" HDMI Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
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2TB HDD
PSU
Corsair Builder Series CXM 600W Modular 80 PLUS ATX/EPS PSU
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Zalman Z11 PLUS Midi Tower Case
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Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (120mm) CPU Cooling, 5x Case Fan
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Saitek Cyborg V.5 USB Gaming Keyboard
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Sharkoon Drakonia Gaming Mouse
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16.96 MB
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Avast (Free Version), MalwareBytes, SuperantiSpyware
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Google Chrome
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Samsung 24x Retail SATA DVD Writer, Creative Inspire T10 Multimedia Speakers, Also have a: Toshiba CT30 Chromebook

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom built by me.
OS
Windows 10 Pro
CPU
Intel Core i7-4770K (3.5Ghz)
Motherboard
Gigabyte G1 Sniper 5 (F10 Bios)
Memory
32 gig Corsair Dominator Platinum (4x8Gig)
Graphics Card(s)
Sapphire Tri-X R9 Fury
Sound Card
Soundblaster ZXR
Monitor(s) Displays
NEC PA242W 24" LCD Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1200
Hard Drives
Primary - Samsung 850 Pro (512gig), Samsung 840 Pro (256gig), 2TB WD Caviar Black.
PSU
EVGA Supernova 1000 G2
Case
Cooler Master HAF X
Cooling
Corsair H100i with Corsair Air Series SP120 Quiet Fans
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless Wave
Mouse
Logitech Performance MX
Internet Speed
High Speed Cable
Antivirus
Norton Security
Browser
IE11
Other Info
Memory Timings - 1866MHz @ 9-9-9-27-1T @ 1.5 volts
Thanks! I want to install it on a dual-core laptop with 3GB of RAM, so I'll try it and see.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom build
OS
Windows 10 64bit
CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 925 (Deneb)(2.8GHz) OC 3.4GHz
Motherboard
M5A78L-MLX Plus
Memory
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 4GBX2 (8192MB)
Graphics Card(s)
XFX HD 6870 1GB (OC)- 940MHz core, mem 1150MHz
Monitor(s) Displays
Vizio 26' 1920x1080 / Acer 1336x768
Screen Resolution
1920x1080 60Hz /1336x768
Hard Drives
Kingston Digital 60GB SSDNow V300/500gb HDD Western Digital 7200rpm (/WD 160GB HDD 7200rpm
PSU
CORSAIR CX600 600w
Case
AZZA Orion 202 EVO
Cooling
cooler master hyper TX3 cpu cooler
Keyboard
Razer DeathStalker
Mouse
Logitech Optical Gaming Mouse G400
Antivirus
Defualt on win 10
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
cpu is overclocked in bios
- 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..:geek:
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
benchtec, built to personal specs
OS
Windows10 Pro - 64Bit vs.10547
CPU
i7-965 Extreme Edition (8 Cores) at 3.3GHz (no OC)
Motherboard
BloodRageX58 (Socket1366)
Memory
12G Corsair Dominator DDR3 - tripled
Graphics Card(s)
2xAMD SapphireNITRO R9 380(4G) crossfire
Sound Card
Sonar(SB)X-Fi onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
SyncMaster P2050 20"
Screen Resolution
1600x900 (widescreen)
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480G\OCZSolid3SSD, 64G\OCZVertex3SSD,60G\OCZVertex2SSD, 1TB\spinpointF1SATAHDD
PSU
1200w Power Station Gold
Case
ANTEC 900/2 all blue lights, etc..
Cooling
Noctua SE1366 NH-U12P - a tight fit, but a monster cooler!!
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Logitech G19 (wired)
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Logitech G9 Laser (wired)
Internet Speed
150mb unlimited
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IE11(RP)
Other Info
Xbox One, Nokia735 Windows10 mobile, LG HD/DVD/Blu-Ray r/w, CyberlinkPowerDVD15, LogitechZ5500-SS(5.1), LogitechG35Phones-SS(7.1),MSOffice 2007,CorelDrawX7,Painter2016, Wacom Intuos Pro-SE
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
ASUS X550ZE
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-BIT
CPU
AMD A8 7200P
Motherboard
N/A
Memory
8GB 1600mhz
Graphics Card(s)
Radeon R5 (APU) + Radeon R5 M230 2GB Dual Graphics
Sound Card
Realtek ALC269 with SonicMaster
Monitor(s) Displays
Laptop Display
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080 @60hz
Hard Drives
WDC WD50 00LPVX-80V0TT0 (500GB)
PSU
Laptop Charger
Mouse
ARMAGGEDON TEXTRON SCORPION 7
Internet Speed
100 mbps DOWN / 50 mbps UP
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Browser
Mozzila FireFox, Valve Steam in-game internet browser
- 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..:geek:

168GB?! My drive is 320GB (160GB on my old XP email-reader, which I also have it installed on but haven't run yet). How does it get up to that big? Just the games? I only have Shadowrun and some other 2D games purchased.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
OS
Windows 7 Pro 64-bit
Many games now start-off with 8gb-14gb default installs (not including update data). The better games get, the bigger they get :p I myself have a 217GB game collection (both steam and non-steam games)

Phill3990:cool:
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom Build
OS
Windows 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670k CPU @ 3.40 GHz, 4 Cores
Motherboard
MSI Z87 - G45 Gaming ATX Motherboard
Memory
Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
GeForce GTX 660
Sound Card
Realtek HD Audio, Sound Blaster Cinema
Monitor(s) Displays
ACER S236HL 23" HDMI Monitor
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
2TB HDD
PSU
Corsair Builder Series CXM 600W Modular 80 PLUS ATX/EPS PSU
Case
Zalman Z11 PLUS Midi Tower Case
Cooling
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO (120mm) CPU Cooling, 5x Case Fan
Keyboard
Saitek Cyborg V.5 USB Gaming Keyboard
Mouse
Sharkoon Drakonia Gaming Mouse
Internet Speed
16.96 MB
Antivirus
Avast (Free Version), MalwareBytes, SuperantiSpyware
Browser
Google Chrome
Other Info
Samsung 24x Retail SATA DVD Writer, Creative Inspire T10 Multimedia Speakers, Also have a: Toshiba CT30 Chromebook
For me, I love Steam so much that I prioritize it meaning that I will close other programs if they interfere with Steam. It's such an awesome program.

the 2nd column is RAM usage
c568e07ed5.png


5 minutes later
3381c056be.png
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
custom build
OS
Win 7 Home Premium x64
CPU
AMD FX 8350
Motherboard
M5A97 LE R 2.0
Memory
8 GB 1600
Graphics Card(s)
R9 280X
Sound Card
Soundblaster Omni USB Soundcard
Monitor(s) Displays
Viewsonic 21.5 inch LED
Hard Drives
OCZ Vertex 4 120G SSD (boot drive)
Crucial 256G SSD
WD Black 2 TB HDD
Seagate 1TB HDD
PSU
Antec Earthwatts Green 650W
Case
Cooler Master HAF 922
Cooling
5 fans of different brands (3 intake, 2 exhaust) for dust co
Keyboard
Corsair Vengance K70 MX Brown, Razer Orbweaver
Mouse
Razer Naga
Internet Speed
60 Mbps
Antivirus
Webroot Secure Anywhere
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
I also discovered the joy of dust filters on my intake fans. Thank you Internet.
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