⨯ Check out what anti-cheat enabled games work on Linux / SteamOS on our dedicated anti-cheat compatibility page.
Title: force steam *not* to start in big picture mode
ExpandingMan 11 Dec 2022
User Avatar
The big picture mode on latest beta is totally borked for me. Audio plays but it won't render anything. My steam install is now borked as a result because I can't disable it.

Does anyone know a way for me to start steam or reset configuration to defaults? I tried deleting `.steam/steam/config/config.vdf` but this does nothing.
whizse 11 Dec 2022
User Avatar
I think it might be controlled by the StartupMode variable in .steam/registry.vdf ?
ExpandingMan 11 Dec 2022
User Avatar
Well, that was extremely frustrating.

I started moving and deleting stuff to try to get it to please just stop this stupid big picture nonsense already and it was starting to look like whatever was going on was in `steamapps` so I just nuked the entire installation.

Quoting: whizseI think it might be controlled by the StartupMode variable in .steam/registry.vdf ?
Sadly it does not appear so, I tried deleting all the registries and it didn't work.

Last edited by ExpandingMan on 11 Dec 2022 at 6:47 pm UTC
WorMzy 11 Dec 2022
User Avatar
Quoting: whizseI think it might be controlled by the StartupMode variable in .steam/registry.vdf ?
Can confirm. Changing StartupMode to '0' in ~/.steam/registry.vdf makes Steam start in desktop mode. Setting it to '1' makes Steam start in Big Picture mode.
ExpandingMan 12 Dec 2022
User Avatar
Yes! Thanks. I'm not sure what happened when I tried to move the file, I guess I failed to delete all the backups.

For the record, the value to set within `registry.vdf` is
Registry.HKCU.Software.Valve.Steam.StartupMode
which should be set to `"0"`.
While you're here, please consider supporting GamingOnLinux on:

Reward Tiers: Patreon Logo Patreon. Plain Donations: PayPal Logo PayPal.

This ensures all of our main content remains totally free for everyone! Patreon supporters can also remove all adverts and sponsors! Supporting us helps bring good, fresh content. Without your continued support, we simply could not continue!

You can find even more ways to support us on this dedicated page any time. If you already are, thank you!
Login / Register
Register Forgot Login?