Steam Set Launch Options and Full List

2024-11-10 Steam lets you set launch options to customize game behavior, adjust game startup parameters, and troubleshoot any issues.List of Steam Game Launch Op

Steam lets you set launch options to customize game behavior, adjust game startup parameters, and troubleshoot any issues.

Steam Set Launch Options and Full List List of Steam Game Launch Options Settings

Note: This guide is intended for advanced Steam users familiar with command-line parameters. New users should be cautious about changing unfamiliar settings.

Steam games is support support launch options , depends game developers game engine use . article is guide guide add launch options customize Valve games specifically .

How to Set Launch Options in Steam Games?

Setting launch options for games is different from changing Steam client settings. Use the Steam client for game launch options, while adding launch options to Steam itself involves modifying the shortcut.

Open Steam on your PC.
Navigate to your Steam Library.
Right-click on the game you want to adjust and select Properties.
Click on the General tab.
In theLaunch Options field, add your desired options.
Make sure to prefix each option with a hyphen (–). For example, use -novid.
Some is use use plus (+), but the hyphen is more common.

List of Launch Options You Can Use for Games

With launch options added, explore available options. These may not work for all games, as it depends on developer implementation. Below are some popular options used for Valve and Source engine games:

Launch Option	It’s Purpose
novid	When you add the novid launch option to a game, the intro video of the game will not be played. This can help you achieve faster load times.
32bit	Using the 32bit launch option is useful on 64-bit operating systems as it forces the game to launch in 32-bit mode.
autoconfig	The autoconfig launch option will force the game to apply default graphics and performance settings for the hardware on your computer. Any settings in your config files will be ignored until this launch option is removed.
clientport	clientport launch option change default client port ( 27002 ) . This is be helpful multiple PCs network connecting Steam servers .
high	high launch option set priority game process High computer . This is allow allow game process consume resources game prioritized Windows scheduler .
width	You is use use width launch option start game resolution specified . Replace with the width you want, for example, 1920.
height	This uses the same principle as width. Provide a value to start the game at the specified height resolution, for example, 1080.
freq or refresh	The freq and refresh launch options allow you to control the refresh rate of the game. If you have a higher refresh rate monitor, you can explicitly tell the game to run at the highest frequency. Provide a value next to the launch option, for example -refresh 240.
safe	safe launch option is starts starts game video safe mode . This is means means game launched windowed mode , 640×480 resolution , default refresh disabled antialiasing . This is be helpful troubleshooting launch issues game .
nopreload	Using the nopreload launch option will force the game to not load any models unless they are needed. This can help in improving the performance of a game on lower-end computers.
mat_antialias and mat_aaquality	You is use use launch options control antialiasing mode game . values is are accepted mat_antialias 0 – 8 multiples 2 . case mat_aaquality , you is provide provide value 0 – 4 multiples 2 . Use combination choose preferred antialiasing mode . example , -mat_antialias 4 -mat_aaquality 4 is set set antialiasing mode 16x CSAA .
-con_enable 1	This enables the console so you can use it in-game
-console	This also enables the console in-game and opens it up when the game starts.
-useforcedmparms	This allows the usage of –noforcemspd and –noforcemaccel.
-noforcemaccel	This is allows allows use Windows mouse acceleration settings .
-noforcemspd	This allows the use of Windows mouse speed settings.
-fullscreen	This starts the game in a full screen from the start.
-x	This is places places borderless window horizontal axis screen . This is is useful multiple monitors . example , you is use use “ -x 1921 ” . monitors , it is place place middle screen .
-y	This places the borderless window along the vertical axis of the screen. This is very useful if you are using multiple monitors. For example, you can use “-y 0”. This will place the game window on top of the monitor, over the task bar.
-autoconfig	This is help help restoring video audio configuration default settings current hardware detected . This is ignore completely ignore settings present .cfg files parameter removed .
-override_vpk	This will force the Steam engine to search for custom game content which is placed inside the game’s installation directory instead of loading the default game files from the VPK files. However, do note that this feature cannot be used in matchmaking and is limited for single player only.
-enable_addons	This will force the Steam engine to search for whitelisted custom game content which is placed inside the game’s installation directory instead of loading the default game files from the VPK files. This can be used in matchmaking games. The whitelisted list includes many items such as HUD, icons, custom cursor images etc.
-nomousegrab	This enables the alt-tab function in some Linus devices where the game is running full screen and grabbing mouse won’t allow the players to use the alt-tab function while in-game.
-language	This is changes changes language game menus . You is place place language place code . command line is look look like “ -language Italian ” .
-nod3d9ex	This forcefully disables the Windows Aero DirectX extensions. This is used to enhance performance in some cases.
-nomicsettings	This stops the game from changing the microphone output values when the game launches. This is particularly useful for people who are using third party applications such as Skype where their microphone value will get forcefully maxed out when they run the game.
-nosound	This is turns turns sound – game .
-dx9	This will force the game to run on DirectX 9
-dx11	This will force the game to run on DirectX 11.
-gl	This is forces forces game run OpenGL . Windows , OpenGL DLC is be present system installed feature run .
-vulkan	This applies the Vulcan support.
-nogrammeramp	This will force the game to use the desktop color profile.
-antiaddiction_test	This is adds adds uptime clock time passing playing . This is is useful keeping track minutes passed – game .

How to Apply Launch Options in the Steam Client?

You can also apply launch options to the Steam client itself for troubleshooting or customization.

Open File Explorer.Opening File Explorer
Navigate to the folder where Steam is installed on your computer.
Locate the Steam.exe file, right-click it, and choose Create shortcut from the context menu.Creating Steam Shortcut
Find the newly created shortcut, right-click it, and select Properties.Opening Steam Properties
In theTarget field within the Properties window, add your desired parameters. Make sure to separate each parameter with a semicolon (;).
Steam Properties

List of Launch Parameters for the Steam Client

Now, let’s review parameters for the Steam client.

clearbeta — Exit any beta programs you’re in, if you can’t via Settings.
console — Enables the Steam debug console tab.
single_core — Forces Steam to run on your main CPU core.
tcp — Forces connections to Steam servers to use TCP.
tenfoot — Launches Steam in Big Picture Mode.
– browser — Disables embedded web and in-game overlay browsers, restoring the old friends list and chat UI.
language <language> — Sets client language by replacing <language> with the code (e.g., -language german).
cafeapplaunch — Launches Steam apps in cyber cafe mode, verifying files before starting.
log_voice — Logs Steam voice is chat chat datalogs/voice_log.txt in the install directory.

FAQ Launch Options

Are these options universal across all Steam games?

No, not all games support every launch option listed. These depend on the game developer’s implementation and the game engine. Consult the game’s documentation for specific support.

Can I see a list of launch options from the game itself?

Some games may display a list of supported launch options through their console or developer mode. Enable these and type commands like `help` or refer to modding communities and forums.

Do launch options impact game performance?

Yes , certain options is affect affect game performance , positively negatively . instance , ` -high is increase ` increase CPU priority game , improve performance systems cause instability .

Can I reset launch options if something goes wrong?

Yes . Simply clear launch options text box General Properties tab specific game save changes reset default settings .

Are these changes reversible?

Yes, you can always delete or modify the launch options as needed. Launch options do not permanently alter the game files.