New Steam Client Beta Option to Force Game Updates on Launch

Steam is testing a new option in its latest client beta that gives users more control over when their games update. By default, the Steam client decides when to download updates based on a few factors, including how recently you played the game and your bandwidth availability. However, this new option allows you to force updates to download only when you launch the game.

How Steam’s Current Update System Works

Currently, Steam’s update system prioritizes games you’ve recently played, downloading updates shortly after they’re released. For games you haven’t played in a while, Steam might wait a few days to bundle multiple updates together or download the update while you’re asleep. This system is designed to balance the need for timely updates with the need to conserve bandwidth.

Benefits of the New Option

The new option to wait to download an update until the game is launched gives players more control over when their games update. This can be especially useful for users with bandwidth caps, as it allows them to hold off on updating a massive game until they actually want to play it.

Where to Find the New Option

You can find the new option in the beta Steam client settings under the Downloads section. You can set the default to either let Steam decide when to update the game or wait to update until the game is launched. You can also still set per-game download settings in a game’s Properties that override the global setting.

Managing Per-Game Overrides

With the beta, you can also manage per-game overrides in the overall Steam client Downloads settings. This makes it easier to keep track of which games are set to update at launch and which are not.

Note: The character count of the rewritten content is approximately the same as the original. The target keywords, such as “Steam client beta,” “update system,” “bandwidth caps,” and “game updates,” are used naturally throughout the article.