Configure your gaming machine to automatically run Steam in full screen when Windows starts up.
Although the catalog of games on Steam is much larger than that of home consoles, the journey of using the platform is nowhere near as smooth as on an Xbox or a PS4. You have to start your PC and enter your password, before you can launch Steam and finally run a game.
As long as you only have one user account on your PC, however, there is a way to configure it to start quickly without you having to enter your password and automatically run Steam. in Big Picture mode, Steam’s full-screen controller-controllable interface. Your PC will thus behave almost like a real home console, even allowing immediate control with the joystick.
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1. Disable the password when starting Windows
To have your PC start up without having to enter a password, click the Start menu, type netplwiz in the search box, and click Run Command.
In the User Accounts management window that appears, uncheck the option Users must enter a user name and a password to use this computer, and validate by clicking on Apply.
A new window will appear. Enter your password in the two fields to confirm the deactivation and validate by clicking on OK. Click OK again in the Manage User Accounts window.
2. Disable reconnection after standby mode
The password is unlocked when your machine starts up, but remains active when your PC is locked (after a period of non-use) or goes to sleep.
When you wake up your PC, the password will be required to reconnect. To avoid this, click on the Start menu and go to Windows Settings.
Enter the Accounts menu and then access Connection options. Locate the Require sign-in line, click on the drop-down menu and choose the Never option.
Thus, no password will be asked to you to reconnect to your PC after a time of absence or a standby.
3. Configure Steam
Launch Steam, click on the Steam menu and go to Software Settings.
In the side column, go to the Interface options, then check the Launch Steam at computer startup and Launch Steam in Big Picture mode check boxes and save your preferences by clicking the OK button.
4. Disable other software when Windows starts up
To ensure that your machine will only run Steam when Windows starts up and that no other software interferes with the launch of Steam, you should disable any other programs that would open when your machine starts up without them. are necessary for its proper functioning.
To do this, use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + Del and open the Task Manager. Go to the Startup tab, and for each item in the list that is not necessary for the proper functioning of your PC or Steam, change the Activated Status to Deactivated by selecting the item and then clicking on the Deactivate button.
Restart your computer. Windows should start without you having to enter a password, and Steam should automatically launch in full screen in Big Picture mode, so you can control it directly using your gamepad.