Steam是一种视频游戏数字发行服务，可让用户购买、下载、安装和玩游戏。它还为用户提供游戏的安装和自动更新，以及朋友列表和群组、云保存以及游戏内语音和聊天功能等社区功能。如果您尝试在 Steam 上安装或更新游戏(install or update a game)时遇到Windows 10上的(Windows 10)Invalid Depot Configuration错误，那么这篇文章可能会对您有所帮助。在这篇文章中，我们将确定可能触发错误的已知可能原因，然后提供您可以尝试帮助修复此问题的可能解决方案。
由于以下一种或多种（但不限于）以下已知原因，您可能会在Windows 11/10/8.1/7上遇到Invalid Depot Configuration Steam错误消息；
- 过时的 Steam 客户端。
- 有问题的 DNS 地址。
- Beta 计划参与。
- 权限问题。
- Steam 客户端引导(Steam Client Bootstrapper)程序作为启动项。
- appmanifest.acf文件损坏或损坏。
Steam 错误 – 无效的 Depot 配置(Steam Error – Invalid Depot Configuration)
如果您遇到此Invalid Depot Configuration问题，您可以按以下顺序尝试我们推荐的解决方案，看看是否有助于解决问题。
- 将Steam(Steam)客户端更新到最新版本
- 刷新 DNS 缓存
- 强制更新 Steam
- 选择加入/退出 Beta 计划
- (Run Steam)从安装文件夹位置运行 Steam客户端
- 禁用Steam 客户端引导(Steam Client Bootstrapper)程序启动项
- 通过删除MountedDepots(MountedDepots)配置修改游戏的应用清单。
让我们看一下与列出的每个解决方案相关的过程的描述。
1]将Steam客户端(Steam)更新(Update)到最新版本
在某些情况下，您会遇到Invalid Depot Configuration问题，因为您使用的是过时的Steam客户端版本。Steam完全能够自动更新，但如果自动更新功能出现故障并且无法自动更新客户端，您将收到此错误消息。
在这种情况下，您只需重新启动应用程序即可让Steam自动更新。您还可以通过转到Steam(Steam)客户端顶部的功能区栏并单击Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates。
如果这无法解决问题，您可以卸载 Steam 应用程序(uninstall the Steam app)，然后从Steam网站下载并安装最新版本。
注意(Note)：要保留游戏安装，请在卸载Steam客户端之前将(Steam)Steamapps文件夹（在此位置C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam下）移出Steam文件夹，否则您将不得不从头开始重新安装所有游戏。此外，请确保在重新安装Steam(Steam)之前重新启动 Windows 。之后(Afterward)，您可以将Steamapps文件夹移回Steam文件夹。
然后尝试更新或安装游戏，看看问题是否仍然存在，如果是，请转到下一个解决方案。
2]刷新DNS缓存
如果Invalid Depot Configuration错误消息是由网络问题引起的，则刷新 DNS 缓存(flushing the DNS cache)可能会解决问题。
要刷新DNS缓存，请执行以下操作：
- 按 Windows 键 + R。
- 在“运行”对话框中，键入steam://flushconfig然后按Ctrl + Shift + Enter打开提升的命令提示符(Command Prompt)。
- 在 UAC 提示上单击是。(Yes)
- 清除下载缓存(Clear Download Cache)对话框提示您后，单击确定(OK)以清除本地下载缓存。
- 现在，再次打开Steam并再次使用您的帐户登录。
尝试更新或安装游戏，看看问题是否已解决。如果没有继续下一个解决方案。
3]强制更新Steam
要强制更新Steam，请检查任务栏上的系统托盘并确保Steam应用程序已关闭，然后导航您的Steam安装文件夹（在此位置C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam）并删除除Steamapps文件夹、Userdata文件夹之外的所有内容和(, )Steam.exe 文件(Steam.exe )。
将 Steam 文件夹清除干净后，重新启动计算机。
下一个启动序列完成后，从主可执行文件启动 Steam。完整性验证后，会自动下载安装最新版本。
此后，您可以尝试安装/更新之前触发Invalid Depot Configuration错误的游戏，并查看问题是否已解决。如果没有，请继续下一个解决方案。
4] 选择加入/退出Beta计划
在此解决方案中，根据您当前的状态，选择加入或退出Steam Beta 计划可以解决Invalid Depot Configuration错误。
就是这样：
- 启动 Steam 客户端。
- 在 Steam(Inside Steam)中，使用顶部的功能区栏点击Steam > Settings.
- 从“设置”(Settings)菜单中，从右侧的垂直菜单中选择“帐户(Account)”菜单，然后移至右侧窗格并单击与Beta Participation关联的“(Beta Participation)更改”(Change) 按钮 。
- 在Beta 参与(Beta Participation)屏幕中，将Beta 参与(Beta participation)下拉菜单更改为当前未激活的项目。
- 单击确定(OK) 以保存更改。
- 重启蒸汽。
看看问题是否解决。如果没有继续下一个解决方案。
5]从安装文件夹位置运行Steam客户端(Run Steam)
一些受影响的用户报告说，从安装位置（C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam）而不是快捷方式运行 Steam 确实修复了Invalid Depot Configuration错误。为此，请检查任务栏上的系统托盘并确保Steam应用程序已关闭，然后导航到您的Steam安装文件夹并双击Steam.exe以启动数字商店。
现在尝试更新/安装游戏，看看问题是否已解决。如果没有继续下一个解决方案。
6]禁用(Disable)Steam客户端引导(Steam Client Bootstrapper)程序启动项
在此解决方案中，您需要禁用Steam 客户端 Bootstrapper(Steam Client Bootstrapper)启动项，然后刷新Steam的下载缓存，然后从安装文件夹启动Steam 。
就是这样：
- 按 Windows 键 + R。
- 在Run对话框中，键入msconfig并按 Enter 启动System Configuration。
- 在“系统配置(System Configuration)” 窗口中，转到“ 启动(Startup)” 选项卡，然后单击“ 打开任务管理器(Open Task Manager)” 。
- 在任务管理器的(Task Manager)启动(Startup)选项卡中，右键单击Steam 客户端引导(Steam Client Bootstrapper)程序 并选择 禁用。(Disable.)
- 接下来，按Windows键 + R 再次调用“运行”(Run)对话框。
- 在“运行”对话框中，输入steam://flushconfig并按 Enter 以删除 Steam 的下载缓存。
- 当Steam确认提示提示时，单击确定(OK) 继续。
- 最后，导航到您的Steam安装位置（默认位置是C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam），双击Steam.exe文件以启动 Steam。
现在尝试更新/安装游戏并查看Invalid Depot Configuration错误是否已解决。如果没有继续下一个解决方案。
7]通过删除MountedDepots配置修改(Modify)游戏的应用程序清单
在此解决方案中，您需要编辑 属于触发 Invalid Depot Configuration错误的游戏的.acf文件。(.acf)通过删除文件的整个MountedDepots配置部分，一些受影响的用户报告说Steam验证了游戏（重新创建了MountedDepots部分），最终解决了问题。
请执行下列操作：
- 首先确保Steam完全关闭。检查任务栏上的系统托盘，确保Steam没有在后台运行。
- 导航到默认位置的SteamApps文件夹（ (SteamApps)C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam）。
如果您将 Steam 安装在自定义位置，请改为导航到该位置。
- 右键单击第一个 appmanifest.acf文件并使用文本编辑器打开它——最好是Notepad++。
- 使用文本编辑器打开文件后，按Ctrl + F打开搜索功能。
- 然后输入MountedDepots并按 Enter 。
- 当您找到正确的配置部分时，选择整个部分并单击Delete。
- 然后，使用顶部的功能区菜单保存(Save) 配置并退出文件。
- 接下来，返回Steamapps文件夹，对您在其中的其余(Steamapps)appmanifest.acf文件重复上述相同操作。
为每个游戏清除MountedDepots部分后，再次 启动Steam并允许它验证已修改的游戏文件。
现在尝试安装/更新之前失败的游戏，看看问题是否已经解决。
Hopefully, anyone of these solutions will fix the issue for you!
Fix Invalid Depot Configuration Steam Error on Windows PC
Steam is a video game digital distribution service that lets users buy, download, install, and play games. It also provides the user with installation and automatic updating of games, and community features such as friends lists and groups, cloud saving, and in-game voice and chats functionality. If when you try to install or update a game on Steam you encounter the Invalid Depot Configuration error on Windows 10, then this post may help you. In this post, we will identify the known likely causes that can trigger the error and then provide the possible solutions you can try to help remediate this issue.
You may encounter the Invalid Depot Configuration Steam error message on Windows 11/10/8.1/7 due to one or more (but not limited to) of the following known causes;
- Outdated Steam client.
- Glitched DNS address.
- Beta program participation.
- Permission issue.
- Steam Client Bootstrapper as a startup item.
- Corrupt or damaged appmanifest.acf file.
Steam Error – Invalid Depot Configuration
If you’re faced with this Invalid Depot Configuration issue, you can try our recommended solutions in the order presented below and see if that helps to resolve the issue.
- Update the Steam client to the latest version
- Flush DNS cache
- Force update Steam
- Opt-in/opt-out of the Beta program
- Run Steam client from the install folder location
- Disable the Steam Client Bootstrapper startup item
- Modify the app manifest of the game by deleting the MountedDepots configuration.
Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved in relation to each of the listed solutions.
1] Update the Steam client to the latest version
In some cases, you’ll encounter the Invalid Depot Configuration issue because you’re using an outdated Steam client version. Steam is fully capable of auto-updating but if the auto-updating feature is glitched and cannot update the client automatically, you’ll receive this error message.
In this case, you can get Steam to update automatically by simply restarting the app. You can also force the store to update by going to the ribbon bar at the top of the Steam client and clicking on Steam > Check for Steam Client Updates.
If this fails to resolve the issue, you can uninstall the Steam app and then download and install the latest version from the Steam website.
Note: To preserve game installations, move the Steamapps folder (under this location C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam) out of the Steam folder before uninstalling the Steam client or else you’ll have to reinstall all your games from scratch. Also, ensure you restart Windows before reinstalling Steam. Afterward, you can move the Steamapps folder back into the Steam folder.
Then try updating or installing a game and see if the issue persists, if so move to the next solution.
2] Flush DNS cache
If the Invalid Depot Configuration error message was caused by a network issue, flushing the DNS cache would probably resolve the issue.
To flush the DNS cache, do the following:
- Press Windows key + R.
- In the Run dialog box, type steam://flushconfig and then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up an elevated Command Prompt.
- Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
- Once you’re prompted by the Clear Download Cache dialog, click OK to clear your local download cache.
- Now, open Steam again and log in with your account once again.
Try updating or installing a game and see if the issue is resolved. If not continue with the next solution.
3] Force update Steam
To force update Steam, check the system tray on the taskbar and make sure that the Steam application is closed, then navigate your Steam installation folder (at this location C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam) and delete everything except Steamapps folder, Userdata folder, and Steam.exe file.
Once the Steam folder has been stripped clean, restart your computer.
When the next startup sequence is complete, launch Steam from the main executable. After the integrity verification, it will automatically download and install the latest version.
Thereafter, you can try to install/update the game that was previously triggering the Invalid Depot Configuration error and see if the issue has been resolved. If not, continue with the next solution.
4] Opt-in/opt-out of the Beta program
In this solution, depending on your current status, either opt-in or opt-out of the Steam beta program could resolve the Invalid Depot Configuration error.
Here’s how:
- Launch the Steam client.
- Inside Steam, use the ribbon bar at the top to click on Steam > Settings.
- From the Settings menu, select the Account menu from the vertical menu on the right, then move to the right pane and click the Change button associated with Beta Participation.
- From the Beta Participation screen, change the Beta participation drop-down menu to the item that is not currently active.
- Click OK to save the changes.
- Restart Steam.
See if the issue is resolved. If not continue with the next solution.
5] Run Steam client from the install folder location
Some affected users have reported that running Steam from the install location (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam) instead of a shortcut did fix the Invalid Depot Configuration error. To do so, check the system tray on the taskbar and make sure that the Steam application is closed, then navigate to your Steam installation folder and double-click on Steam.exe to launch the digital store.
Now try updating/installing a game and see if the issue is resolved. If not continue with the next solution.
6] Disable the Steam Client Bootstrapper startup item
In this solution, you’ll need to disable the Steam Client Bootstrapper startup item, then flush the download cache of Steam, and launch Steam from the installation folder.
Here’s how:
- Press Windows key + R.
- In the Run dialog box, type msconfig and hit Enter to launch System Configuration.
- Inside the System Configuration window, go to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
- Inside the Startup tab of Task Manager, right-click on Steam Client Bootstrapper and choose Disable.
- Next, press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog box again.
- In the Run dialog, type steam://flushconfig and hit Enter to delete the download cache of Steam.
- When prompted by the Steam confirmation prompt, click OK to continue.
- Finally, navigate to the location of your Steam installation (default location is C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam), double-click on the Steam.exe file to launch Steam.
Now try updating/installing a game and see if the Invalid Depot Configuration error is resolved. If not continue with the next solution.
7] Modify the app manifest of the game by deleting the MountedDepots configuration
In this solution, you need edit the .acf file belonging to the game that is triggering the Invalid Depot Configuration error. By deleting the entire MountedDepots config part of the file, several affected users have reported that Steam validated the game (re-created the MountedDepots part) which ended up resolving the issue.
Do the following:
- Start by making sure that Steam is completely closed. Check your system tray on the taskbar to ensure that Steam is not running in the background.
- Navigate to the SteamApps folder at the default location (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam).
If you installed Steam in a custom location, navigate there instead.
- Right-click on the first appmanifest.acf file and open it with a text editor – preferably Notepad++.
- Once you open the file with a text editor, press Ctrl + F to open up the search function.
- Then type MountedDepots and hit Enter.
- When you find the correct config part, select the entire section and click on Delete.
- Then, use the ribbon menu at the top to Save the configuration and exit the file.
- Next, return to the Steamapps folder and repeat the same action as above with the rest of the appmanifest.acf files that you have there.
Once the MountedDepots part has been stripped clean for every game, start Steam again and allow it to validate the game files that have been modified.
Now try to install/update the game that was previously failing and see if the issue has been resolved.
Hopefully, anyone of these solutions will fix the issue for you!
