How to Stop Steam from Starting in Big Picture Mode (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
If Steam keeps opening in Big Picture Mode every time you launch it, you’re not alone. A lot of users suddenly find that Steam starts in full-screen mode instead of the normal desktop window, especially after updates, controller use, or connecting their PC to a TV. In this video, I’ll show you exactly how to stop Steam from starting in Big Picture Mode and get it back to launching normally.
Big Picture Mode is great if you’re using a controller or gaming on a TV, but if you're at a desk with a mouse and keyboard, it can be annoying. Fortunately, disabling Big Picture Mode startup is simple—you just have to know where Steam hides the option.
First, I show you how to exit Big Picture Mode properly. You’ll use the Steam menu in the lower-left corner, go to Power, and select Exit Big Picture Mode. Once you’re back in the classic Steam window, you can get to the real setting that controls Steam’s startup behavior.
Next, we go into the Steam - Settings - Interface menu. This is where you’ll find the option labeled “Start Steam in Big Picture Mode.” If it’s turned on, Steam will always boot into Big Picture no matter what. Turn this option off, and you’ve just fixed the most common cause.
But if Steam still opens in Big Picture Mode after that, there's one more thing to check: your shortcut. Some shortcuts contain the command -bigpicture, which forces Steam to start that way even when the setting is disabled. I walk you through how to open your Steam shortcut properties, check the Target line, and remove that command if it's there.
By the end of this tutorial, you’ll know every possible reason Steam might be launching in Big Picture Mode—and how to disable all of them. Once you follow these steps, Steam will finally open like a normal desktop app again: clean, windowed, and not stretched across your entire monitor.
This fix works whether you’re on Windows 10, Windows 11, a multi-monitor setup, or even a living room PC. If you're tired of Steam acting like a console UI every time it launches, this guide will help you take back control.
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#Steam, #BigPictureMode, #SteamUpdate, #PCGaming, #SteamDeckUI
📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Why Steam keeps starting in Big Picture Mode
00:25 – How to exit Big Picture Mode
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