Valve's October 13 Steam Update Improves Startup Performance
Valve's new Steam client update adds Big Art Mode, a Personal Calendar, and Big Picture screensavers, and improves startup speed.
Valve released a new Steam client update dated October 13, 2026 that improves Steam Client startup performance, according to gamerant.com. The update also adds several features to Big Picture Mode.
A video posted on Twitter by user Girlglock_ shows the Steam Client loading to the library in 5.23 seconds. The user noted the loading time was measured on an older solid-state drive, so results may vary. The new Epic Games Launcher preview build for Windows, macOS, and Linux was measured at 0.24 seconds faster.
The update adds a "Big Art Mode" option for the home screen, which can be enabled via Settings > Home. A Personal Calendar has also been added to the Recommended tab on the home screen.
New Screensavers in Big Picture Mode
Screensavers are now available in Big Picture Mode through Settings > Customization. These include a game art slideshow and a retro-inspired bouncing logo screensaver.
Big Picture mode can load custom screensavers placed in the config\uioverrides\screensavers directory in the Steam install directory.
Shortly before this article, Epic Games revealed a new launcher released as a Preview build for Windows, macOS, and Linux, which was stated to load faster than the Steam Client by nearly five seconds.
Quick answers
What does the October 13, 2026 Steam client update add?
It adds a "Big Art Mode" option for the home screen, a Personal Calendar in the Recommended tab, and screensavers in Big Picture Mode, while improving startup performance.
How fast does the Steam Client load after the update?
According to a video posted by Twitter user Girlglock_, the Steam Client loads to the library in 5.23 seconds. The user noted the time was measured on an older solid-state drive, so results may vary.
How do I enable custom screensavers in Big Picture Mode?
Custom screensavers can be placed in the config\uioverrides\screensavers directory in the Steam install directory.