Fix, Download, and Update Steam.exe

Last Updated: 11/25/2023
[Average Read Time: 4.5 minutes]

Steam.exe uses the EXE file extension, which is more specifically known as a Steam Client Bootstrapper file. It is classified as a Win32 EXE (Executable application) file, created for Steam Client Bootstrapper by Valve.

Steam.exe was initially released with Steam API v018 on 11/05/2014 for the Windows 10 Operating System. This is not only most recent release from Valve, but it's the only version known in existence.

Continue reading below to discover detailed file information, EXE file troubleshooting, and free downloads of several versions of Steam.exe.

File Analysis Provided by Jason Geater (Author)


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File Overview


General Information
File Name: Steam.exe
File Extension: EXE file extension
Description: Steam Client Bootstrapper
Object File Type: Executable application
File Operating System: Win32
MIME Type: application/octet-stream
User Popularity Rating:
 
Developer and Software Information
Software Developer: Valve Corporation
Software Program: Steam Client Bootstrapper
Legal Copyright: Copyright (C) 2010 Valve Corporation
File Details
Character Set: Unicode
Language Code: English (U.S.)
File Flags: (none)
File Flags Mask: 0x0017
Entry Point: 0xfa87c
Code Size: 2164224


What are Steam.exe Error Messages?


Steam.exe Runtime Errors

Runtime errors are Steam errors that occur during "runtime". Runtime is pretty self-explanatory; it means that these EXE errors are triggered when Steam.exe is attempted to be loaded either when Steam is starting up, or in some cases already running. Runtime errors are the most common form of EXE error you will encounter using Steam.

In most cases, Steam.exe runtime errors occurring while the program is running will result in the program terminating abnormally. Most of these Steam.exe error messages mean that Steam was either unable to locate this file on startup, or the file is corrupt, resulting in a prematurely-aborted startup process. Generally, Steam will be unable to start without resolving these errors.

Some of the most common Steam.exe errors include:

  • Steam.exe - Bad Image.
  • Steam.exe Application Error.
  • Steam.exe could not be found.
  • Steam.exe could not be installed.
  • Steam.exe could not be launched. Class not registered.
  • Steam.exe could not be started.
  • Steam.exe failed to initialize properly.
  • Steam.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
  • Steam.exe is not a valid Win32 application.
  • Steam.exe is not running.
  • Cannot find Steam.exe.
  • Error starting program: Steam.exe.
  • Faulting Application Path: Steam.exe.
  • The file Steam.exe is missing or corrupt.
  • Windows failed to start - Steam.exe.
System Error


The program can’t start because Steam.exe is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.

Finding the source of the Steam.exe error is key to properly resolving these errors. Although most of these EXE errors affecting Steam.exe will happen during startup, occasionally you will encounter a runtime error while using Steam Client Bootstrapper. This can occur due to poor programming on behalf of Valve Corporation, conflicts with other software or 3rd-party plug-ins, or caused by damaged and outdated hardware. Also, these types of Steam.exe errors can occur if it has been accidentally moved, deleted, or corrupted by a malware infection. Thus, it's critical to make sure your anti-virus is kept up-to-date and scanning regularly.



How to Fix Steam.exe Errors in 3 Steps (Time to complete: ~5-15 minutes)

If you're encountering one of the error messages above, follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve your Steam.exe issue. These troubleshooting steps are listed in the recommended order of execution.


Step 1: Restore your PC back to the latest restore point, "snapshot", or backup image before error occurred.

To begin System Restore (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. When you see the search box, type "System Restore" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click System Restore.
  4. Please enter the administrator password (if applicable / prompted).
  5. Follow the steps in the System Restore Wizard to choose a relevant restore point.
  6. Restore your computer to that backup image.

If the Step 1 fails to resolve the Steam.exe error, please proceed to the Step 2 below.

Step 2: If recently installed Steam (or related software), uninstall then try reinstalling Steam software.

You can uninstall Steam software by following these instructions (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10):

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Uninstall" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the search results, find and click "Add or Remove Programs"
  4. Find the entry for Steam API v018 and click "Uninstall"
  5. Follow the prompts for uninstallation.

After the software has been fully uninstalled, restart your PC and reinstall Steam software.

If this Step 2 fails as well, please proceed to the Step 3 below.

Steam API v018

Valve

Step 3: Perform a Windows Update.

When the first two steps haven't solved your issue, it might be a good idea to run Windows Update. Many Steam.exe error messages that are encountered can be contributed to an outdated Windows Operating System. To run Windows Update, please follow these easy steps:

  1. Hit the Windows Start button
  2. In the search box, type "Update" and press "ENTER".
  3. In the Windows Update dialog box, click "Check for Updates" (or similar button depending on your Windows version)
  4. If updates are available for download, click "Install Updates".
  5. After the update is completed, restart your PC.

If Windows Update failed to resolve the Steam.exe error message, please proceed to next step. Please note that this final step is recommended for advanced PC users only.



If Those Steps Fail: Download and Replace Your Steam.exe File (Caution: Advanced)

If none of the previous three troubleshooting steps have resolved your issue, you can try a more aggressive approach (Note: Not recommended for amateur PC users) by downloading and replacing your appropriate Steam.exe file version. We maintain a comprehensive database of 100% malware-free Steam.exe files for every applicable version of Steam. Please follow the steps below to download and properly replace you file:

  1. Locate your Windows operating system version in the list of below "Download Steam.exe Files".
  2. Click the appropriate "Download Now" button and download your Windows file version.
  3. Copy this file to the appropriate Steam folder location:
    Windows 10: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\
  4. Restart your computer.

If this final step has failed and you're still encountering the error, you're only remaining option is to do a clean installation of Windows 10.


GEEK TIP : We must emphasize that reinstalling Windows will be a very time-consuming and advanced task to resolve Steam.exe problems. To avoid data loss, you must be sure that you have backed-up all of your important documents, pictures, software installers, and other personal data before beginning the process. If you are not currently backing up your data, you need to do so immediately.



Download Steam.exe Files (Malware-Tested 100% Clean)


CAUTION : We strongly advise against downloading and copying Steam.exe to your appropriate Windows system directory. Valve typically does not release Steam EXE files for download because they are bundled together inside of a software installer. The installer's task is to ensure that all correct verifications have been made before installing and placing Steam.exe and all other EXE files for Steam. An incorrectly installed EXE file may create system instability and could cause your program or operating system to stop functioning altogether. Proceed with caution.

Windows 10


Files Related to Steam.exe


EXE Files Related to Steam.exe

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
SteamTmp.exe Steam Steam (1.0.0.0) 1348944 C:\Windows\Prefetch\
steamservice.exe Steam Client Service Steam Client Service (01.00.00.01) 1719248 C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsS...
MpSigStub.exe Microsoft Malware Protection Signature Update Stub Microsoft Malware Protection (1.1.16500.1) 748816 C:\Windows\inf\
OneDriveSetup.exe Microsoft OneDrive (32 bit) Setup Microsoft OneDrive (19.192.0926.0012) 35086184 C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\
Video.UI.exe Video Application Entertainment Platform (10.19101.107100000-19101) 26138624 C:\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\cache\

Other Files Related to Steam.exe

File Name Description Software Program (Version) File Size (bytes) File Location
setuperr.log Log Steam API v018 763 C:\Windows\Logs\DPX\
api-ms-win-core-sysinf... ApiSet Stub DLL Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.18362.1) 12240 C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\cef\cef.win7x64\
diagwrn.xml Extensible Markup Language Steam API v018 44683 C:\Windows\Panther\UnattendGC\
EtwRTEventLog-Applicat... Microsoft Event Trace Log Steam API v018 2848 C:\Windows\System32\LogFiles\WMI\RtBackup\
api-ms-win-core-debug-... ApiSet Stub DLL Microsoft® Windows® Operating System (10.0.18362.1) 11216 C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin\cef\cef.win7x64\


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