Turn off automatic updates in Steam settings

The fastest way to stop Baldur's Gate 3 from updating is to disable automatic updates for that game in Steam itself. Open Steam, right-click on Baldur's Gate 3 in your library, select Properties, then go to the Updates tab. Change the dropdown from "Always keep this game up to date" to "Only update this game when I launch it" or "High priority — always update this game." The middle option, "Only update this game when I launch it," is what most people want: the game will not download updates in the background, but will prompt you to update before you play.

If you want to prevent updates entirely, you can also select "Do not automatically update this game." This stops all automatic downloads, though Steam will still notify you that an update is available. You will need to manually start the update yourself if you ever want it.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam's Updates tab in game Properties lets you choose between automatic updates, updates only at launch, or no automatic updates at all.
  • Selecting "Only update this game when I launch it" stops background downloads while still keeping the game current when you play.
  • If you disable updates entirely, Steam will remind you updates exist but will not download them unless you start the update manually.
  • You can also pause downloads temporarily through the Downloads section if an update is already in progress.

Pause an update that is already downloading

If an update has already started downloading, you can stop it without changing your settings. Go to Steam's Downloads section (usually in the left sidebar), find Baldur's Gate 3 in the queue, and click the pause button next to it. The download will freeze where it is. You can resume it later by clicking the same button, or let it sit paused indefinitely if you do not want the update.

Pausing is temporary — it does not change your update settings, so Steam may resume the download automatically depending on your current settings. If you want to keep updates paused long-term, change your update preference in Properties at the same time.

Disable updates through Steam's global settings

You can also control updates at the account level rather than per-game. Open Steam, go to Settings, then select the Downloads tab. Under "Content Libraries," you can set when Steam is allowed to download updates at all — for example, only between certain hours, or only when you manually start them. This affects all your games, not just Baldur's Gate 3.

This approach is useful if you want to prevent updates during work hours or when you are playing online, but it requires you to remember to enable downloads when you want them. Most people find it easier to just change the setting for Baldur's Gate 3 alone.

What happens if you do not update

If you disable updates and do not install them, you can still play Baldur's Gate 3 offline or in single-player mode. However, you may encounter bugs that later patches fix, and you will not get balance changes, new features, or performance improvements. Multiplayer or online features may not work if the server requires a newer version than what you have installed.

Larian Studios, the developer, regularly releases patches for bug fixes and gameplay adjustments. Staying on an older version means you are playing a different game than most other players, which can affect your experience if you interact with the community or compare notes with friends.

Reinstall the game to remove a recent update

If you have already updated and want to go back to an older version, Steam does not offer a built-in rollback option for Baldur's Gate 3. Your only option is to uninstall the game completely and reinstall it, which will give you the current version available on Steam at that moment — not an older one.

Some games on Steam allow you to opt into beta branches or older versions through the Betas tab in Properties, but Baldur's Gate 3 does not currently offer this. If you need a specific older version, you would need to look outside Steam, which is not recommended because it can cause compatibility issues and you lose access to Steam's cloud saves and achievements.

Prevent updates on a secondary computer or offline installation

If you play Baldur's Gate 3 on multiple computers, you can disable updates on each one independently through that computer's Steam settings. Changes you make on one machine do not affect the others. If you have a laptop you use offline, you can disable updates there and play without worrying about downloads when you are away from a reliable internet connection.

Keep in mind that if you use Steam Cloud saves, playing on an older version of the game on one computer while another computer has a newer version can cause save file conflicts. Steam will usually ask you which version to keep, but it is safer to keep all your computers on the same version if you share saves between them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling updates break my save files?

No. Your save files are separate from the game version. You can play an older version of Baldur's Gate 3 with saves from a newer version, though the game may behave unexpectedly if the save contains features that were removed or changed in the older build.

Can I play multiplayer if I do not update?

It depends on whether the server requires a specific version. If Larian has updated the server and your game is several patches behind, you may not be able to connect. Single-player and offline modes will work regardless of your version.

What if I change my mind and want updates again?

Go back to the Updates tab in Baldur's Gate 3's Properties and select "Always keep this game up to date." Steam will download the latest version the next time you launch the game or open Steam, depending on your settings.

Does disabling updates save hard drive space?

Only if you never install the updates at all. If you have already downloaded and installed an update, disabling future updates does not free up that space. You would need to uninstall and reinstall the game to remove an update you no longer want.

Can I schedule updates for a specific time?

Not for individual games. Steam's global Downloads settings let you set a time window when updates are allowed, but you cannot schedule a specific update for a specific time. You can only choose to update manually whenever you want.