Steam won't let you run old versions. If you have a plugin that breaks because of a sim update you're toast until the plugin is updated too. Or if you simply prefer the old version for the time being or are holding off for specific updates in the future, you are out of luck. You can wait for all that with the standalone version even after LR pushes the update to final.

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by blingthinger

3 hours ago, blingthinger said:

You update when Valve tells you to update.

Steam provide an option to auto update or manual update for XP12.

In Steam library, right click on XP12 and select properties:

When XP launches, you can decide to update or not.  You can also decide if you want in on the Beta cycles.

It's nice to have so much DLC available in one place.

 

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by SayAgain

58 minutes ago, SayAgain said:

Steam provide an option to auto update or manual update for XP12.

That has nothing to do with what I described now does it. You cannot start an old version of the sim if there's a new version in the update pipeline. They force updates on the users when they go final.

32 minutes ago, blingthinger said:

They force updates on the users when they go final.

No they don't ... are you running XP12 from Steam?  It doesn't sound like you are.

XP no but I do have other steam apps. You cannot start the app until the update has been installed. The screenshots you post are proof of that. You have no choice but to update when you start the sim.

1 hour ago, blingthinger said:

You cannot start an old version of the sim if there's a new version in the update pipeline. They force updates on the users when they go final.

Usually, I just stay on the latest stable, so I never looked into it until now. It seems like it may be up to the developer though to allow multiple versions of the game by maintaining different branches. If the developer only maintains a default stable branch, then the changes would be forced upon you. 

Also, developers can now allow users to switch versions directly in the game if they use the Steam API. This would make version switching even faster.

Quote

Many games on Steam already have multiple build branches available to players; different builds of the game, either historical versions or forward-facing test builds with the latest pending updates. Previously, accessing these alternative build branches has been fairly obscure, done by players through the Steam 'settings' panel for a game. However, new Steamworks APIs now allow developers to offer players this choice from within the game itself.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/group/4145017/view/4547039255696769966

Here is an example of CS go with the versions that you can switch to using the old method via the steam app.

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by brinx

6 minutes ago, blingthinger said:

XP no but I do have other steam apps. You cannot start the app until the update has been installed. The screenshots you post are proof of that. You have no choice but to update when you start the sim.

See my post above. I think you only have to update if you are on the stable build and the developer releases a new stable build. But you can always switch to another version(branch) if the developer is maintaining other versions as well.

16 minutes ago, brinx said:

maintaining different branches

MMmmm yes yes....I had forgotten about that option buried in the menu. Thanks for the reminder. LR doesn't do that though. At least not in the years I've used the sim. 

In fact I recall someone once asking if they would be willing to eliminate the permanent reminder pop up window that appears in the non-steam app if you do happen to be running an old version and the response was an emphatic "no". I do wish they'd at least make it appear less often.

Using X-Plane on Steam is viable and - especially in countries with a currency advantage - sometimes cheaper for the end user. It also provides the 2 hour return of purchase option, so if you could not be bothered to try the demo but find out that you don´t like X-Plane within 2 hours of trying it for the first time, you can return it and get your money back.

Laminar pays a hefty premium to Steam, but also enjoys the greater numbers of customers it can reach via the Steam system of commercials, where users get suggestions in their game feed.

If you are just a casual user with little interest in tinkering with X-Plane or participating in betas and other modding and personally do not care if Laminar gets more money from the sale, then Steam is great.

If you eventually develop an interest in adding to, developing for and modding of X-Plane, the direct download may be more preferable...and while Laminar these days is very diligent about also adding beta trials and scenery updates to Steam, it can be difficult for less savvy users to even find WHERE Steam stores the game files (.../appdata/...) and more experimental interim updates may not make it to Steam, as the focus for Steam is more to provide a stable, pleasant user experience...even when it comes to beta versions.

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by Litjan

I just cannit get my head around why you would want a need to use an app to run an app. Click on xplane icon it runs. Copy folder have backup. Update one i can run beta or full. one less thing to get in the way when debugging.

3 minutes ago, mjrhealth said:

Click on xplane icon it runs.

To be honest, that is the way Steam works as well. You get an icon on your desktop, you click it, game starts.

For many people, especially those not well versed in computers, how to find and manipulate folders and files, etc., Steam is just a very convenient location.

It´s like saying "why go to the store to buy your potatoes, just grow them in your backyard then you don´t need a car  to drive downtown, plus its cheaper on top..."

Just to be clear: I fully support and suggest to get the Digital Download from Laminar Research, especially as someone who works for Laminar and develops for X-Plane...but to be fair, you can´t dismiss the benefits that Steam provides and belittle those that prefer to use it.

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by Litjan

2 hours ago, Litjan said:

It´s like saying "why go to the store to buy your potatoes, just grow them in your backyard then you don´t need a car  to drive downtown, plus its cheaper on top..."

Not sure how that fits, not quiet the same thing. I just dont like things i dont need on my PC the less the better, not that the world is making it easy, even NVIDIA now by default installs there stupid app, which you have to than go uninstall, Another piece of useless nonsense.

What I really like now is the federated login.

What I look fwd into are:

- Marketplace;

- Subscription model (*)

(*) Why? Because they need to grow and Austin needs to start passing his fdm wisdom to at least some one with a good base on flight dynamics, which is surely going to be expensive for LR...

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by jcomm

4 hours ago, mjrhealth said:

need to use an app to run an app

Steam is the mother of all game distribution platforms: the first and by far biggest. It's extremely convenient and is the only way to get many games available today. If the app isn't meant to be tinkered with (ie most video games), it's a very nice system to work with. It's mind boggling to think of how much money it prints for Valve. I'd wager that it's single handedly the primary reason why you really can't buy PC games at a physical store anymore. Certainly not like you used to be able to do. Or in other words, for most video game customers there is literally no other choice.

Edited September 24, 2025Sep 24 by blingthinger