---
title: CleanStart Support — Steam & Windows Launcher Help
description: CleanStart support for Steam game discovery, Windows app launching, optional Everything search, and local data troubleshooting.
canonical: https://cleanstart.1822.ca/support
---

# Small utility. Straight answers.

A few useful checks for Apps Mode, Steam discovery, optional Everything search, and local diagnostics.

## Games missing from Steam Mode?

CleanStart discovers installed games from local Steam installation data. It does not require a Steam login or use the Steam Web API.

1. Confirm Steam is installed for this Windows profile.
2. Confirm the game is installed locally—not only owned—and its library drive is connected.
3. Check that the game has an `appmanifest_<appid>.acf` file in a Steam `steamapps` folder.
4. Make sure Steam source is enabled in CleanStart Settings.
5. Open Steam once, then restart CleanStart or let its background refresh complete.

If cached data looks stale, use **Settings → Reset data**. Do not hand-edit Steam manifests for CleanStart. Steam games launch through Steam URI targets, not direct executable paths.

## File and folder search

Apps Mode works without Everything. When available and configured, CleanStart can use Everything or `es.exe` for file and folder results. CleanStart does not create its own file indexer.

If Everything is unavailable, app, settings, and action search should still work. File and folder search simply remains disabled.

## Useful recovery paths

CleanStart keeps settings, caches, history, icons, and diagnostics under `%LOCALAPPDATA%\CleanStartWpf`.

- **Rescan apps** refreshes local Windows app discovery.
- **Clear history** removes visible Apps Recent and Steam Continue Playing history.
- **Reset data** removes known caches, history, user-data files, and cached icons while leaving preferences and diagnostics exports.
- **Reset defaults** resets launcher preferences.

Settings can create a local diagnostics export or copy a diagnostic summary. Review it before sharing. CleanStart support is handled through the Steam Community Hub.

## Common questions

### Does CleanStart replace Start or the taskbar?

No. It is a separate launcher window. It does not patch Explorer, replace the taskbar, modify the Start button, or inject shell DLLs.

### Why is Steam artwork missing?

CleanStart uses local Steam artwork when available and stable placeholders otherwise. Open Steam once, then restart CleanStart or use Reset data if its local artwork cache is stale.

### Does CleanStart launch games directly?

No. Steam games are launched through Steam URI targets such as `steam://rungameid/<appid>`.

### What should I include in a future support request?

Include the CleanStart version, Windows version, whether Steam and Everything are installed, a short description of the issue, and a user-approved local diagnostics export if needed. Never share Steam credentials.

## Get CleanStart through Steam.