Steam launches a new overlay, here’s how to try it out

William Davis Published 28/04/2023

The Steam overlay has always been a familiar sight for PC gamers, but Valve has finally decided to give the system an overhaul in 2023.

After nearly a decade of minimal updates, Valve has announced a massive update for the in-game Steam menu. The new system will include all of the same features in a streamlined fashion, bringing it up to modern design standards while also increasing usability. However, gamers won’t be able to use it if they don’t know how to opt-in.

The new overlay was announced on April 27, 2023, on Valve’s official development blog. Simply titled Steam Desktop Update, the post shows off a brand-new overlay with a much smoother design. The various features are arranged in columns with a guides window, friends list, notes app, and messages all visible at the same time. Unlike the old version, the new overlay takes full advantage of a monitor’s real estate.

The new overlay also adds a few new features. One preview shows a notepad where gamers can write down info that will save itself between play sessions. This will be very useful for sprawling open-world games like Elden Ring. Another screenshot shows the ability to pin Steam overlay windows on top of the game, making it easy to keep those notes up or constantly monitor your friends list.

How to activate the new Steam overlay update

To try the new Steam overlay out for themselves, users will need to opt into the Steam beta. 

To join, open up the Steam client and click on the dropdown menu in the top left. From the Account menu, navigate to the beta participation section and click on the Change option. This should open a menu with the option to participate in the new Steam overlay beta. It’s the only current active beta, so there’s no need to worry about joining the wrong one. Select the beta option and restart Steam to get the update.

When opening the client, you should now see the Steam client with an entirely new font. It’s not that different from the original, but it definitely has a more modern feel. Open up the game of your choice and then hit Shift + Tab to open up the new overlay. Tinker around with the toys, and feel free to send feedback to Valve to improve the feature before its official release.

Read Also

Kick

Kick Offers Viewers More Visibility in Chats — Here’s How the New KICKs Pinned Messages Work Khizar Mundia 2026 has been a stellar year for Kick users, with the brand investing substantially in very visible updates. The livestreaming platform has now introduced another new option where Kick viewers can use KICKs to pin and highlight their messages in chats. Twitch and Kick have several similarities, which makes sense given that the Stake-backed platform launched as a competitor to the Amazon-backed giant. Bits are a common method for viewers ...

Valorant

Will zekken Leave MIBR in 2026? Hannan Mundia Competitive Valorant has given rise to multiple talented professional players, but zekken stands as a powerful fragger even among them. While his glory days were definitely when he was on Sentinels during their iconic run, the player is now part of MIBR, which promised to create a super team. Unfortunately for zekken, the team has fallen short of that promise. With a disappointing 2026 season, rumors have started that zekken ...

News

What are Card Rips? The New Way to Trade Collectibles Explained Ben Boland Card rips are a new form of digital pack opening in which users can reveal physical trading cards and choose to sell, store or have them shipped to them. They are attracting serious interest among sweepstakes players. Currently, most card rip sites are separate from online casinos. However, some sweepstakes sites have foreseen the potential popularity of this form of this type of product and are offering their users the ...

Twitch

KSI Hints at Falling Out With at Least “Some” Sidemen Khizar Mundia Olajide “KSI” Olayinka Williams Olatunji was arguably the largest name attached to Sidemen, and now that he's left the collective, it appears some of the members are no longer his friends. KSI’s exit from Sidemen was the end of an era. He and the boys were renowned for fun whilst creating good memories and building a massive following. When KSI left in May 2026, he'd stated that he was on ...

Kick

Duel Blackjack Reportedly Shut Down Amid Drama Between Sneako and Clavicular Khizar Mundia Nicolas “Sneako” Kenn De Balintha and Braden “Clavicular” Peters aren’t strangers to online drama, and the two creators have recently been beefing over Duel Casino. Surprisingly, during this very public conflict, Duel’s studio was reportedly entered by masked men, apparently leading to Duel Blackjack being inadvertently shut down. Drama and streamers go hand in hand, as both creators and the industry as a whole thrive on all types of limelight. ...

Kick

Brand Risk 16: Full Fight Card, Date, and Other Key Details Khizar Mundia Adin Ross is back with another iteration of his boxing event, and Brand Risk 16 is pitting popular influencers against each other. Brand Risk is famous for featuring all types of fighters on its roster, including pro boxers, amateur fighters, or even normal streamers. The previous event, Brand Risk 15, for instance, featured bodybuilder and influencer Larry Wheels against Kick streamer Vitaly “Vitaly” Zdorovetskiy, with the match ending when the ...

Twitch

Kai Cenat and BruceDropEmOff Beef Explained As the Two Finally Patch Things Up Khizar Mundia A multi-year streamer beef has ended, with Kai Cenat and Bruce “BruceDropEmOff” Ray Condones repairing their friendship after a rift began in 2023. BruceDropEmOff and Kai Cenat’s friendship was very public, as the two collaborated with each other and were otherwise known to be very close friends. This is why their public falling out took many fans by surprise. Bruce and Kai’s friendship deteriorated around the time when the former ...