steamos-factory-reset-config

Generate factory reset configuration data

$ steamos-factory-reset-config

steamos-factory-reset-config

The steamos-factory-reset-config command is a specialized utility designed for SteamOS. Its primary purpose is to revert specific user-level configuration files related to the Steam client and its environment back to their original, 'factory default' state. This command is particularly useful for troubleshooting issues stemming from corrupted or misconfigured Steam settings, such as graphical glitches, UI problems, controller input issues, or general instability within the Steam client or Big Picture Mode. It operates by typically removing or relocating existing configuration files and allowing the Steam client to regenerate them upon next launch, ensuring a clean slate. It's important to note that this command does not perform a full operating system reinstallation, nor does it affect user-created data, downloaded games, or other files outside of the specific Steam configuration directories. It aims to provide a quick fix for software-related issues without necessitating a complete system reset.

Using steamos-factory-reset-config will erase all personalized Steam client settings, including UI preferences, controller mappings (though often stored separately and might not be fully reset by this specific tool), download region, Big Picture Mode settings, and potentially other client-specific configurations. While it does not delete downloaded games or user documents, you will need to reconfigure your Steam client settings after running this command.
It's advisable to back up any critical configuration files manually if you wish to preserve them, although direct restoration might reintroduce the issues you're trying to fix. Running this command might require elevated privileges (e.g., sudo) depending on the specific files it targets and how SteamOS is configured, though it typically operates on user-owned files.

This command primarily targets configuration files located within the user's home directory, typically under paths like ~/.steam/ and ~/.local/share/Steam/. These directories contain Steam client settings, cached data, and sometimes controller configurations, which are reset by this utility. The exact files and subdirectories affected can vary slightly between SteamOS versions but generally pertain to user-specific Steam client behavior and preferences.

This command is often recommended as a first troubleshooting step for persistent issues with the Steam client or Big Picture Mode that aren't resolved by simply restarting Steam or the system. After running the command, it is recommended to restart the Steam client (or the entire system) to allow the new, default configuration files to be generated and applied properly. If you encounter issues running the command, ensure you have the necessary permissions or try prefixing it with sudo if you suspect system-wide configuration files are involved (though less common for this specific command).

The need for a configuration reset utility arose with the development and release of SteamOS, a Linux-based operating system tailored for gaming. As SteamOS evolved, particularly with its initial Debian-based iterations, users encountered scenarios where custom or corrupted configurations led to a suboptimal gaming experience. steamos-factory-reset-config was introduced as a convenient script to address these user-level configuration issues without requiring a full OS reinstallation. Its design reflects Valve's commitment to providing troubleshooting tools that simplify maintenance for users, ensuring a smooth gaming experience even when configuration files become problematic. While the exact date of its first appearance as a standalone command might be hard to pinpoint, its functionality is integral to the maintainability of a dedicated gaming OS.

steam(6), rm(1), mv(1), cp(1), chown(1), chmod(1), reset(1)