Steam is possibly the most popular game distribution service on the planet. The interface is top-notch, and it is quite easy to use. However, it has some flaws and issues. One of the most common errors that you will find with Steam is the “Windows cannot find steam.exe error”.
This error is usually encountered when users try to launch the steam exe file directly from the desktop or the installation folder. The file would be perfectly accessible, yet the error still pops up. In this article, we will be listing out some ways by which you could get rid of this error for good.
Getting to the Bottom of the Problem
We will be troubleshooting the problem and offering you different solutions. There is no guarantee that a particular solution would fix the error. The solution that worked for one user might not work for another. Keep trying different solutions until it works for you.
1. Check if you are Using a Faulty Shortcut File
Now, this might sound trivial but trust us, this has caused way too much trouble than it should have. Sometimes, the problem might not be due to the steam application but simply a result of a faulty shortcut. What you need to do is to open Steam from the file explorer. To do so, follow the steps below.
- Choose this PC from the Windows Explorer.
- Head to the disk where Steam is installed. Usually, it is in the C drive. Then open the Steam Folder.
- Search for the steam.exe file and try launching it. If it works, then the problem is with the shortcut file. Create a new shortcut file. Else, proceed to the other solutions.
2. Restart your Computer
Sometimes a simple restart might fix the issue for you. There have been users that claimed that restarting solved many issues with Steam. We also recommend you to do the same. By restarting, all the programs will be restored to their initial state, and it also clears the cache.
3. Scan the Computer for Virus
Sometimes virus or malware might have entered the system and restricted access to the application, thus stopping it from opening. In such a situation, you would need to scan the pc using an Antivirus software like Avast or Malwarebytes. However, Windows Defender also does the job.
- Press Windows+I together to open the settings window and click on update and security.
- Now, tap on the Windows Security option and choose Open Windows Security
- Tap on the Virus and Threat protection option.
- From the next screen, choose scan options and select Full Scan.
- Wait for the scan to finish, and head to Protection History.
- Here, you can view the scanned items that are identified potentially as viruses. Either delete or quarantine them.
Now, try opening Steam again and see if the issue persists.
4. Add Steam App to the “Exceptions” in Avast Antivirus
If the above methods did not work, then you need to look at the third-party software. Some third-party apps might prevent Steam from launching. Antivirus software like Avast, in particular, have been known to cause such issues. Avast is not compatible with Steam, and therefore you need to add it to the list of exceptions. Follow the steps below.
- Startup the Avast software and head to the menu.
- Choose the settings option.
- Choose the “General” tab and visit exceptions.
- Hit the add exception button and go to folder where Steam is installed.
- Tap on the Add Exception button.
- Finally, restart the pc.
5. Renaming the Exe File
Another trivial fix that could possibly get rid of the error message is renaming the exe file from the steam folder. Head to the steam installation folder and right-click the exe file. Now try renaming it. This has solved the issue for some users.
6. Uninstalling Third-Party Antivirus Software
If adding Steam to the exceptions list does not work, then this is your next realistic choice. Some antivirus software might not be compatible with Steam, and therefore it is better that you substitute it with another one. Once you are done with the uninstallation, launch Steam again. If it still does not work, then you might have to work with the registry settings.
7. Deleting an Associated Registry Key
Anything that involves modifying the registry settings need to be taken seriously. Any mistake and it might cause serious damage to the pc. As a result, we recommend that you backup the registry before following this step.
- Hold down the Windows+R keys together to open the run box.
- Type the word ‘regedit’ and hit the enter key.
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Go to the location given here-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options
- Choose the Image File Execution Options and delete the Steam.exe file.
- Finally, restart the computer
There is a good chance that Steam would be working normally by now.
Final Words
We hope that this article would have helped you to solve the issues with Steam. This is a very common error, and one of these methods would most probably fix the issue for most users. We always advise you try restarting the pc first as it is the easiest solution and one that works a surprisingly good number of times.
