How to change the new Steam Library interface?

[Splinterdog]

I really do not like the new makeover and since it's no longer in beta i.e, thrust upon all of us now, it seems you can't opt-out.
The reason I don't like it is because it's too in your face, so to speak, with far too much noise and distraction, when a simple library interface the way it used to be, is perfectly sufficient.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to revert to the old minimalist style?

 

[droopyRO]

I found this, but i am not going to do that just to get the interface back. I hope they launch an update that lets you use the old interface.

 

[Splinterdog]

I'm trying that method now to see if it works and I have a feeling that Steam won't patch it to allow reverting.
1. Exit steam, make sure no processes running
2. Delete anything in Steam\package folder
3. Extract Steam Old Client Packages .zip to Steam\package
4. Copy steam_client_win32 and steam_client_win32.manifest to Steam\package
5. Set the steam_client_win32 and steam_client_win33.manifest to read only.
6. Delete steam.cfg (if present) from Steam folder.
7. Launch steam, let it install update.
8. Steam will say that the update failed.
9. Launch Steam and now the old UI should appear.
10. Copy steam.cfg to Steam folder to prevent auto updates.
If this method fails read the pinned comment below the video for workaround methods.

Download links are in the video.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Did Steam bother to ask anyone if its what they want? I do not like. This is an example of Steam just providing fluff that no one wants (now i have to do twice as many steps to get to a game’s community group), and yet the religiously loyal will point to this as yet another “great” thing Steam does that other stores and launchers don’t do.

 

[INSTG8R]

I just want Small Mode back so I: totally with you here. I’ve already sent a few messages to Support questioning why is was removed it’s all I’ve ever used. Steams one advantage over everyone else was I didn’t need a WINDOW to access my games...

 

[BMfan80]

I thought I was the only 1 that hated this new layout.

 

[IceScreamer]

I just want Small Mode back so I: totally with you here. I’ve already sent a few messages to Support questioning why is was removed it’s all I’ve ever used. Steams one advantage over everyone else was I didn’t need a WINDOW to access my games...

Add this to your Steam shortcut, in the target thingy: -no-browser +open steam://open/minigameslist


Tested it, and it works, store doesn't work tho, or I don't know how to open it.

EDIT: Aha, removing "-no-browser" allows you to open large mode and enter store when needed. It still opens in small mode first.

 

[Splinterdog]

I did that and ended up with ultra minimalist

 

[IceScreamer]

I did that and ended up with ultra minimalist
View attachment 135535

I never used small mode so I'm not sure how it's supposed to look like, but I like it, I'm keeping it.

 

[INSTG8R]

I did that and ended up with ultra minimalist
View attachment 135535

Welcome to Small Mode
This is a VERY old desktop shot but this is how I have ALWAYS ran Steam

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

I don't really care either way since the only time I go to that page is when I need to uninstall or download games. Doubly now so after the old landscape thubnails are mishmashing with the portrait boxes. But yea, not a happy camper either. Previously you could filter with installed games, now only recents.

 

[Slizzo]

Small mode always made the most sense.

Use the following to open small mode. You need to open a browser then past the string in to the URL field and hit GO

steam://open/minigameslist

Alternatively, you can create a batch file on your desktop with the following string in it to have it do the needful for you automatically:

start steam://open/minigameslist

 

[Vario]

After this new Steam UI, I have no regrets buying RDR2 from Rockstar Games Launcher rather than waiting a month for the Steam release.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I don't really care either way since the only time I go to that page is when I need to uninstall or download games. Doubly now so after the old landscape thubnails are mishmashing with the portrait boxes. But yea, not a happy camper either. Previously you could filter with installed games, now only recents.

You can still filter for installed games. Its a tiny little unobtrusive button at the top of your games list. Crap I know, but its there.

 

[biffzinker]

I'm not seeing anything too drastically wrong with the new interface for your Steam Library.

 

[INSTG8R]

I'm not seeing anything too drastically wrong with the new interface for your Steam Library.

View attachment 135587

View attachment 135588

Because you’ve been using it in the Window style so it’s a “newer” window for you...

 

[ShurikN]

I'm quite indifferent towards the new interface. It's not something i needed, but I'm not exactly spending 20hrs a day looking at it or doing something in it.

 

[candle_86]

I used the above method to revert the new layout is garbage

 

[AsRock]

Don't mind personally can get were i need just as fast as before, a little more info offered too.

How ever this is d*ck move by Steam, like wtf why they remove the old options and why not just add to the other views.

Simple as arrogance.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

if you look at the other launchers, GOG, etc. It really is a copy of them since they had the tiles first.

 

[Frick]

When has any company asked before massively overhauling the UI? When has anyone added an option to switch? The only example of that I can think of was when Google changed the Gmail Web UI and you could opt out. Steam isn't alone in this, it's common practice (sadly).

 

[ne6togadno]

someone is trying to copy and outrun galaxy 2.0 release

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

someone is trying to copy and outrun galaxy 2.0 release

bad link

 

[Calmmo]

I've been using beta and it's been like that for a while now, so no gog related anything, I doubt valve even take gog into consideration, gog barely managed to break even last year let alone make steam feel threatened.

Anyway I don't mind it at all. There's still a list on the side to find what i need via typing instantly still. Without it there'd be an issue, but the list is still there so..

 

[rtwjunkie]

I've been using beta and it's been like that for a while now, so no gog related anything, I doubt valve even take gog into consideration, gog barely managed to break even last year let alone make steam feel threatened.

Only partially true. GOG doesn’t have financial results. You have to look at the parent company, CD Project Group, which has subsidiaries of CDPR and GOG. Yes, income was less than 2017. Profits are still good (30% net), and the company is worth $4.1 billion.

CD Projekt: Net Profitability in 2018 at 30% | Game World Observer

On March 27, 2019, CD Projekt released the financial results for fiscal 2018 and shared a number of internal figures ranging from the number of employees to the distribution of The Witcher 3 sales across hardware platforms.

gameworldobserver.com

the Steam beta for current interface roughly coincided with release of version 2.0 of Galaxy. To imply it was independantly developed without influence is a stretch. This is the basic layout and style that Origin and Uplay have had for about 5 years. In fact it feels extremely similar.