How can I kill Steam when not needed?

[Barnacle Bill]

I don't have a problem with digital distribution or using the web to initially (first time) verify I have a legal copy. What I don't like about the default install of Civ5/Steam from the boxed/disk edition is that now I have Steam getting loaded every time I boot the computer. I'm only tolerating Steam because I have to if I want to play Civ 5, but that's absolutely my only use for it and I don't want it running any other time.

What I want is to stop Steam from running except when I launch Civ 5, and to shut down with Civ 5 when I exit Civ 5. Back in DOS/Win95 days I used to have to do things with batch files to handle memory managers & game-specific input device programs & such, and I could set it up to work as I'm envisioning. I haven't had to mess with that sort of thing since the 980's, though, and I'm all rusty.

I'm pretty sure I can kill the bit about loading Steam every time I boot, but if Steam isn't running if I launch Civ 5 will it automatically start Steam? Would Windows 7 allow creatying a batch file or similar that would shut down Steam after I exit Civ5?

 

[Novem]

Steam has run options just like almost any other program. I don't have Steam in front or me at the moment (I'm at work) but I believe there are some Steam posts in the Stickies at the top that should answer your questions.

Steam has an option as to whether you want it to run when windows starts, you just need to turn it off.

 

[Welnic]

Like he said, there is a setting so that it doesn't start up when you boot. After you quit Civ, if there are any steam windows you can select exit at those to quit. If there aren't any steam windows then click on the little triangle next to the notification icons. You should see a little steam icon there, right-click on that and select exit.

 

[Maniacal]

You can't get Steam to stop running after exiting Civ5 automatically you have to do it manually as Welnic describes.

As mentioned, there are settings for Steam (upper left corner click on "File" and then "Settings") that are very easy to find and understand.

Steam for me on WinXp only takes up 50 megabytes of RAM when I have the windows open, it takes up but a few MBs when its just in the system tray, really no effect on system resources. You can also add shortcuts for other games (and actually, any program) to Steam and launch them through Steam which allows you to use the Steam Community ingame overlay (shift+tab) for any game, if you would like to get more use out of Steam. Great for keeping icons off the desktop too

 

[Methos]

Moderator Action: Discuss the problem, not grievances and/or conspiracy theories about the game. Several posts deleted.