Install Steam games as admin required?

Within the past year I have made the wise decision, for security reasons, to run Windows 7 as a user for most tasks (games, email, web browsing, streaming video, etc). I only log into the admin account for virus scans, driver updates, adobe flash updates, etc. Basically, I only log into admin when required.

I have noticed after installing a few steam games as user that they crashed or locked up during startup. Dishonored, for example.

Should I install Steam games as admin, and then play them as a user? That seemed to resolve the problems I had with Dishonored (great game btw).

I am assuming when you try to install some games as user, parts of the game can't install correctly due to a lack of admin permissions. Is this correct?

I don't think it's the games themselves causing the issue, but the installation packages that come with them that make sure you're running the latest redistributables compatible with the games. Because these are mostly .NET, C++ and DirectX distributables means you should be logged in as the admin when running a game in Steam for the first time.

You're a better man than most of us here. I think we're generally too stubborn or lazy to create a user account .

We have some pretty smart techies here. I'd be surprised if most are using admin for everything. Anyway, thanks for the info.

I don't really see how using a user account instead of an admin account grants you security. Are you blocking any type of installations in the user account?

Unless you're selling state secrets or into some illegal porn or something I don't think it's worth all of the hassle.

Another vote for stubborn lazy admin types !