The Steam Client periodically checks for game, software, and hardware updates. You can change how often it checks by going to the Steam settings page in your browser. But why does Steam update so much?
There are many reasons that this could be happening, but here are a few of them:
Some games require periodic updates in order to maintain stability or compatibility with certain operating systems.Steam might have detected a bug that needs fixing or an incompatibility between the game and another running process.Valve is constantly updating their services, adding new features and releasing new content for users to enjoy!
Some games require periodic updates in order to maintain stability or compatibility with certain operating systems. Valve releases patches as Steam updates so often because it’s not up to date with where your game is at. The way Steam works, is that you have the steam client and then each individual program within it.
When a new version of an application comes out, or if there are any security fixes for things like malware (which can happen), the developer will push those changes to all users through an Auto-Updater in their respective applications on Steam.
So why does this matter?
Well think about when you install games from places other than Steam: You’re installing them off of disc or downloading them directly from one site instead of using Steam as a middleman between many different developers and publishers who want to sell games without going through valve.