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Steam Verifying Installation

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Jul 4, 2016
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For a month now I've been having a strange issue and I wonder what you guys think about this.

So let's say I've just turned on my PC and logged into my account. Then I start Steam and a little window pops on the screen for like 3 sec and tells me "Updating Steam and below Verifying Installation". Then Steam starts normally. If I now exit Steam and start it again this window will not appear. But if I turn off my PC and turn it back on this message will again pop up only the first time when I start Stem after cold boot or restart.

My Steam client is up to date.

What's up with this???
 
For a month now I've been having a strange issue and I wonder what you guys think about this.

So let's say I've just turned on my PC and logged into my account. Then I start Steam and a little window pops on the screen for like 3 sec and tells me "Updating Steam and below Verifying Installation". Then Steam starts normally. If I now exit Steam and start it again this window will not appear. But if I turn off my PC and turn it back on this message will again pop up only the first time when I start Stem after cold boot or restart.

My Steam client is up to date.

What's up with this???

do you have "keep steam updated" or something checked in options? also, beta participation might cause that crap.
 
It does it to me on all three computers all the time, it's just making sure it's okay to run.

I mean, you payment info is on there after all. Don't you want it to make sure it's secure and such? Should trust it more than you trust your generals.
 
So you think this is a new feature?

And no, I am not participating in beta releases and I don't have any payment info in my account. I pay with paysafe card.
 
So you think this is a new feature?

And no, I am not participating in beta releases and I don't have any payment info in my account. I pay with paysafe card.

Just for clarity's sake, can you post a screenshot or a picture of it? It might help, as im trying to imagine if i have seen it before
 
So you think this is a new feature?

And no, I am not participating in beta releases and I don't have any payment info in my account. I pay with paysafe card.
When I had this happen I had a corrupted MBR on my Steam HDD. Run a disk check on boot up.
 
if you mean this...Yes its normal, it happens all the time. Steam is an online DRM, and it is likely checking that its client is up to date(literally every time steam opens, it needs to check if its up to date), and user is singed in, content is synced, etc..ignore it.

t5vNAlZ.png
 
if you mean this...Yes its normal, it happens all the time. Steam is an online DRM, and it is likely checking that its client is up to date(literally every time steam opens, it needs to check if its up to date), and user is singed in, content is synced, etc..ignore it.

t5vNAlZ.png
It's not normal to update every time tho, and I'm guessing his issue was like mine where the update date being implemented was always a previous date that had already been updated.
 
It happen to me since last month (or January, I don't exactly remember when) on my PC and 2 laptops, it doesn't bother me so I don't really care.
The verifying installation window only appears when I run/logged in to Steam for the first time (I didn't add Steam on Windows startup), if I close/exit the Steam client and then logged in again, the verifying installation windows doesn't come up again.

Try to properly logout/exit Steam before you shut down your PC. Right click Steam icon and choose Exit or choose Steam > Exit.
 
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It's not normal tho to update every time tho, and I'm guessing his issue was like mine where the update date being implemented was always a previous date that had already been updated.

I'm certainly no professional in regards to this issue but everyone of my five pc's all do this when Steam is started. I don't think that it's actually updating , but im almost 100% certain that it's checking that it's up TO date though.

Regardless of what specifically is doing, it's a function of the steam DRM, it's intended to be occurring, it's not something only happening to the OP,and that's perfectly fine to just ignore.

Steam is constantly implementing new steps and security measures to keep on top of account stealing, manipulation of secure information, and or theft of that information. Any user should expect changes like this will pop up from time to time

Edit
If you think it checking every time it's launched that it's up-to-date or secure is a bit much, sometime you should check out the steam guard mobile app manager. If you install and enable that app, it dynamically changes and updates a password only displayed on your mobile device every 15 seconds so if you need access to your account for say selling an item on steam community, or to change your password you have to go to your mobile device and physically check what the current security code is which changes every 15 seconds never-ending, now that's insanity . All of this because some kid got some gun stolen from CSGO,or whatever. it's literally more secure than my bank account is. :)
 
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It does happen to me everytime on my main PC as well as laptops I have. They don't last long though. On my main PC, it lasts around 3 seconds. On laptops longer.

Maybe they suspect me for my fetish on women's thighs.
 
if you mean this...Yes its normal, it happens all the time. Steam is an online DRM, and it is likely checking that its client is up to date(literally every time steam opens, it needs to check if its up to date), and user is singed in, content is synced, etc..ignore it.

t5vNAlZ.png

I also see this every time, if not every day when I startup Steam, as long as it works I don't mind.
 
Just to clear it up, take note of the update date next time Steam updates (The restart request window will have a list of all the fixes and the date of the update). It shows you this in the box before you allow it to update. Then take note of the date the next time. If it is the same date, you have a problem. If it is a different date, then no problem. It may take a few "updates" to be sure though.
 
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Weird, I see the small dark window "Logging in user <insert your username here>" or something like that ... the white progress window only when the steam client update is pending from the last session (there's even "updating steam" info label on it)
 
if you mean this...Yes its normal, it happens all the time. Steam is an online DRM, and it is likely checking that its client is up to date(literally every time steam opens, it needs to check if its up to date), and user is singed in, content is synced, etc..ignore it.

t5vNAlZ.png
Yes, this is exactly what I see. I am concerned because this wasn't happening two months ago. It doesn't take long, about 2 - 3 seconds.
I'm actually surprised at how many people have this "problem" or weird behavior.
 
Yes, this is exactly what I see. I am concerned because this wasn't happening two months ago. It doesn't take long, about 2 - 3 seconds.
I'm actually surprised at how many people have this "problem" or weird behavior.

In the end I guess it's nothing to worry about and your games are still there when you want to play.:)
 
Yes, this is exactly what I see. I am concerned because this wasn't happening two months ago. It doesn't take long, about 2 - 3 seconds.
I'm actually surprised at how many people have this "problem" or weird behavior.

Just so we're clear, this isnt a problem.it's supposed to happen. Steam changes very regularly, features are added ,changed,& updated all the time to stay ahead of those who would exploit them. That window that I posted a picture of in and of itself , is not a sign of a problem. As long as your version is up to date, and there are no other issues you're fine. If the message window i posted is what piqued your interest and made you nervous,disregard any worries and continue on with your life, your all good.

EDIT*
if you still feel anxious after this answer, please google "steam verifying installation upon each startup" and You'll see its added in the official Steam client changelog, released by valve, as well as reported by MANY users.also note that Normally when messages like this pop up, its due to the "web helper" process not properly shuttign down on the last session, it could also be due to a poor implementation of some client component in the DRM, regardless Valve IS aware of it, and if its NOT intended, it will be fixed, if it is intended, it will be there for a while.
 
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I get it too, i feel its normal so i never questioned it.
 
Just to be clear on MY answer, refer up to post 13. I'm not talking about the "updating Steam" box. I refer you to the request Steam makes to restart when it has been open for awhile. Take a look at those before you tell it to restart.. It actually gives the date of the patch, and what it fixes. THAT is what I am saying to compare it to later. Sooner or later, you are going to encounter this and it will be the same update, 4 or 5 days in a row.

The box you all are referring to above gives you no info and is merely Steam telling you it is updating. There seemed to be confusion by people not understanding what I said.

Most of the time updates will happen frequently and all those notifications may be normal, but just like with Windows, take a look at what you are giving permission to update. It's the only way you will actually know if there is a problem when Steam says updating, verifying, etc..
 
I get it too, i feel its normal so i never questioned it.

Me neither :)

update.
upon looking into the issue the OP created this thread for, I have in the process started up Steam a few times, and EVERY time i DO, i get (as many people Do) a Ad for some dumb game, or whatever, but since lookign into the Issue @ hand, All my ad windows @ startup that normally have games advertisements, are blank with an error message..like below.
*Steam News* apparently its a dead news day at steam :)
DdyInPnh.png
 
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Me neither :)

update.
upon looking into the issue the OP created this thread for, I have in the process started up Steam a few times, and EVERY time i DO, i get (as many people Do) a Ad for some dumb game, or whatever, but since lookign into the Issue @ hand, All my ad windows @ startup that normally have games advertisements, are blank with an error message..like below.
*Steam News* apparently its a dead news day at steam :)
DdyInPnh.png
Well, since you brought this up.....................I also get this error message from time to time.
Would really like to know if it's possible to block this ad. Annoying as hell.
 
Well, since you brought this up.....................I also get this error message from time to time.
Would really like to know if it's possible to block this ad. Annoying as hell.

If you're referring to blocking the ad from popping up I'm fairly certain that no is the answer. (Not that u asked but)I do know however that it is possible to edit XML documents from origin to stop theyre ads from popping up whenever you launch origin ,but i'm unfamiliar with the steam files.

I actually had an Acquaintance who worked for origin walk me through how to modify the documents so it wouldn't pop up ads @ startup anything Less than a year apart from the last appearance of an ad( essentially giving me one ad for Each 365 days). But I am pretty sure messing around with DRM files/installation can get you in trouble beyond corrupt installations(what i was told by origin employee) and might even be able to cause some type of restriction or banning so I don't recommend it unless you're very knowledgeable as far as what you're doing & what your modifying
 
As I said, if you are getting constant updating, you have a problem. Look at the steam updates below. It most certainly is NOT constant.

For example, if I keep seeing March 22 update every time Steam wants to restart to apply an update, then there is a reason to run chkdsk.


steam-updater2.jpg


steam-updater.jpg
 
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Mine does this and it's a brand new install. Only got a couple of games installed to.
 
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