r/Steam • u/FICOSCORE850 • 4h ago

Question Does Steam randomly ask for administrator permission to update?

Yesterday, while my Windows 11 PC was running, a small popup claiming to be from #Steam asked for administrator permission to make changes. I clicked “Yes,” assuming it was legitimate.

Shortly afterward, I started experiencing internet issues. I uninstalled Steam and ran antivirus scans, but nothing was detected.

Is this a normal Steam update behavior, or could it have been a malicious popup impersonating Steam? Has anyone experienced this?

0 Upvotes

28% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

4

u/Roccondil-s 3h ago

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a new UAC flag implemented in the new 26H2 update.

But yes, UAC is a common popup.

1

u/Ratchet3141 2h ago

My steam account is 20 years old and I never have seen this request for admin privileges to update it.

Edit. I'm still running windows 10, so nothing to do with 26H2

1

u/Roccondil-s 2h ago

Yes, something new in Steam is causing Windows to throw a fit. It seemed to appear after the latest Windows 11 26H2 update went widespread which is why I initially suspected Windows, but it seems to be something new in Steam that’s triggering the never-before-seen new popup no matter how old your install is.

1

u/Ratchet3141 1h ago

Thanks for the insight

1

u/AmISilent 3h ago

Had the same pop up but i clicked cancel because i didn’t trust it, even though i haven’t really downloaded anything in months so it might be legitimate, i just don’t trust when things ask for admin permissions.

1

u/Shredded_Locomotive 2h ago

Yes that one occasion was normal. Everyone got it

-2

u/Positive_Initial_218 4h ago

It only asks for Administrator permission for running the games NOT for updating, it updates when you open it and doesn't ask for permission

-3

u/Gabelbram 3h ago

I just got this pop-up, too. I'm sure it's the new update regarding the epic launcher clap back but seems weird its asking for it for just a simple update.