How to Get and Change Steam Startup Movies on PC and Steam Deck

Customizing the boot sequence has become a popular way for users to personalize their gaming hardware. Initially introduced as a feature exclusive to the Steam Deck, Valve eventually expanded support for startup movies to the desktop client, allowing players to swap out the standard logo animation for dynamic, game-themed, or community-created videos.

However, the implementation across different operating systems has caused significant confusion. Desktop users frequently report missing menus, while Steam Deck owners often look for ways to bypass the official storefront to use custom files. This article covers the exact steps to acquire, equip, and troubleshoot Steam startup movies across all supported platforms as of 2026.

What Are Steam Startup Movies and Where Do You Get Them?

Steam startup movies are brief video files (typically under 30 seconds) that play automatically when the Steam client launches, when a Steam Deck wakes from sleep, or when switching into Big Picture Mode. They serve as a digital boot screen, replacing the static Steam logo.

The primary, officially supported method for acquiring these animations is through the Steam Points Shop. Valve regularly updates this storefront with new animations, often tying them to major game releases or seasonal sales.

According to the official storefront, standard startup movies cost 3,000 Steam Points each. Steam Points are earned by purchasing games on the platform (typically 100 points per $1.00 USD spent). This means a single official startup movie requires roughly $30 worth of prior game purchases to unlock.

Recent additions to the Points Shop have included high-profile titles. For example, SteamDeckHQ reported on the addition of highly detailed startup videos for games like Hades 2 and Risk of Rain 2, which have proven popular among users looking for official, high-resolution animations.

How to Equip Your Startup Movie on a Steam Deck

If you are using a Steam Deck, equipping a movie you have purchased from the Points Shop is a straightforward process built directly into the default Gaming Mode interface.

Valve also includes a Shuffle toggle in this menu. When enabled, the Steam Deck will randomly select a different movie from your library every time the device boots or wakes from sleep. This is a popular choice for users who have accumulated multiple animations and want variety.

Why Your Startup Movie Is Not Showing on PC and How to Fix It

The most common issue reported by desktop PC users is the complete absence of the "Customization" tab in their Steam settings. Community forums frequently highlight this frustration, as users purchase movies on their PC only to find no way to apply them.

The technical reason for this is that startup movies are tied to the gamepadui (the user interface designed for controllers). They do not play during a standard desktop client launch. Therefore, the settings to manage them are hidden unless you are actively using that interface.

The Fix: Entering Big Picture Mode

To access the menu on a PC:

1. Click the monitor icon located in the top-right corner of the Steam desktop client (next to your username) to enter Big Picture Mode.
2. Once the new interface loads, click the Steam Menu icon in the bottom left (or press the Xbox/PlayStation button on your controller).
3. Navigate to Settings > Customization.
4. You will now see the Startup Movie dropdown menu.

The Power-User Shortcut (-gamepadui)

If you want your PC to always launch with the console-style interface and play your startup movie automatically, you can modify your Steam shortcut. Right-click your Steam desktop shortcut, select Properties, and add -gamepadui to the very end of the "Target" field (outside the quotation marks). Launching from this shortcut will force Steam directly into the modern Big Picture interface.

How to Install Custom Startup Movies for Free

While the Points Shop offers official options, the community has developed methods to use custom video files without spending Steam Points. Valve intentionally left the local file directory accessible, allowing users to override the default boot video with their own files.

The primary hub for finding these files is the Steam Deck Repo, a community-run website hosting thousands of free, user-created boot animations ranging from retro console mockups to cinematic edits.

Manual Installation Path (Steam Deck)

To manually install a custom video downloaded from the Steam Deck Repo, you must switch your device to Desktop Mode and navigate the Linux file system.

1. Hold the Power button and select Switch to Desktop.
2. Open the Dolphin file manager.
3. Click the hamburger menu (three lines) in the top right and check Show Hidden Files (or press Ctrl+H on an attached keyboard). This is required to see the .steam folder.
4. Navigate to this exact path: /home/deck/.steam/root/config/
5. Look for a folder named uioverrides. If it does not exist, right-click and create it.
6. Inside uioverrides, create another folder named movies.
7. Place your downloaded .webm video file into the movies folder.
8. Critical Step: You must rename the video file to exactly deck_startup.webm.

Once renamed, return to Gaming Mode. The system will automatically detect the override file and play it instead of the default animation.

Using Decky Loader to Automate Your Steam Deck Boot Videos

For users who frequently change their custom movies, manually navigating the desktop file system becomes tedious. The community consensus points to Decky Loader as a highly efficient alternative.

Decky Loader is a homebrew plugin framework for SteamOS. Once installed, it adds a plugin icon to the Quick Access Menu (the "..." button on the right side of the Deck). Within the Decky store, users can download a plugin called Animation Changer.

The Animation Changer plugin connects directly to the Steam Deck Repo API. This allows you to browse, preview, download, and apply custom startup movies entirely within Gaming Mode, using only the controller. The plugin automatically handles the creation of the uioverrides folder and the renaming of the files, significantly reducing the chance of user error.

How to Create Your Own Custom Steam Startup Movie

If you have video editing skills, you can create your own startup movies. However, the Steam client is strict about the file formats it will accept. If the specifications are incorrect, the video will skip, display a black screen, or crash the boot sequence.

To convert a standard video into the correct format, tools like Handbrake or FFmpeg are recommended. For example, if you are using FFmpeg via the command line, a standard conversion command looks like this:

ffmpeg -i input_video.mp4 -c:v libvpx-vp9 -crf 30 -b:v 0 -c:a libopus output_video.webm

This command ensures the video uses the VP9 codec and Opus audio, which are natively supported by the SteamOS compositor.

10 Top Steam Startup Movies You Should Try Right Now

Whether you are browsing the Points Shop or the community repositories, the sheer volume of options can be overwhelming. Based on community downloads and visual fidelity, here are some of the most popular styles to look for:

1. The PS2 Nostalgia: A community favorite that perfectly mimics the iconic PlayStation 2 boot sequence, replacing the Sony logo with the Steam logo.
2. Hades 2 Official: A beautifully animated, high-resolution official movie featuring Melinoë, available in the Points Shop.
3. The Valve Classic: A remastered, high-definition version of the original "guy with a valve in his eye" intro.
4. Cyberpunk Glitch: A neon-soaked, high-energy intro that fits perfectly with the aesthetic of modern OLED screens.
5. Minimalist Steam: A fast, clean, 3-second animation for users who want a customized look without delaying their boot time.
6. Pip-Boy Boot: Inspired by the Fallout series, this green monochrome terminal sequence is a top-rated community download.
7. GameCube Drop: Another retro classic, replacing the rolling purple cube with a Steam Deck icon.
8. Elden Ring Official: A dramatic, orchestral intro available in the Points Shop for fans of FromSoftware.
9. The Matrix Terminal: Cascading green code that resolves into the Steam logo.
10. VHS Tracking: A retro-wave style video with intentional tracking lines and static, giving the boot sequence an analog feel.

Troubleshooting Common Startup Movie Issues

If your startup movie is not functioning as expected, consult this recommended practice checklist to identify the problem:

• Verify Big Picture Mode: If on PC, ensure you are launching Steam in Big Picture Mode. Videos will never play on the standard desktop client.
• Check the File Extension: Ensure your custom file is exactly .webm. Renaming an .mp4 file to .webm without actually converting the codec will result in a black screen.
• Check the File Name: For manual overrides on Steam Deck, the file must be named deck_startup.webm. Any typo will cause the system to ignore it.
• Adjust Interface Volume: If the video plays but has no sound, check your Steam settings. Startup movie audio is tied to the "Interface Volume" slider, not the master game volume.
• Clear the Override Folder: If a corrupted custom video causes your Steam Deck to hang on a black screen during boot, switch to Desktop Mode and delete the uioverrides folder to force the system back to the default animation.

Frequently Asked Questions