You cannot fully bypass Ubisoft Connect when playing Ubisoft games through Steam

Ubisoft requires Ubisoft Connect to run alongside Steam for most of its games. When you launch a Ubisoft title from your Steam library, Steam starts Ubisoft Connect in the background automatically. You cannot remove this requirement through settings, patches, or workarounds — it is built into how Ubisoft distributes its games.

What you can do instead is reduce friction: disable notifications, turn off auto-updates, minimize the launcher to the system tray, or use offline mode. Some older Ubisoft games sold on Steam before the Connect requirement existed do not need it, but new releases and recent ports all do.

If the dual-launcher setup is a dealbreaker for you, your options are to play Ubisoft games directly through the Ubisoft+ subscription service (which uses only the Ubisoft launcher), buy DRM-free versions from GOG when available, or choose games from other publishers.

Key Takeaways

  • Ubisoft Connect launches automatically when you start a Ubisoft game from Steam and cannot be disabled through settings or configuration files.
  • You can reduce annoyance by disabling in-game notifications, turning off auto-updates, and minimizing the launcher to your system tray instead of closing it.
  • Older Ubisoft games on Steam (released before 2020) may not require Ubisoft Connect, but all current releases do.
  • If you want to avoid the dual-launcher experience entirely, Ubisoft+ gives you access to most Ubisoft games through a single launcher.

Why Ubisoft Connect runs when you launch from Steam

Ubisoft owns both the game and the account system that tracks your progress, achievements, and cosmetics. Steam is only the storefront and library — it does not manage Ubisoft's backend. When you click Play on a Ubisoft game in Steam, Steam executes a command that tells your computer to open Ubisoft Connect, which then loads the game.

This is different from games made by other publishers. Valve's own games (like Counter-Strike 2) launch directly from Steam without a second launcher. Games from publishers like CD Projekt Red or Devolver Digital that do not use their own account systems also launch straight into the game.

Ubisoft's system exists because the company wants to track playtime, offer in-game rewards, and sell cosmetics directly to players outside of Steam's storefront. The trade-off is that players on Steam have to run two launchers instead of one.

Settings that actually reduce friction

Open Ubisoft Connect and go to Settings (the gear icon in the top right). Under General, uncheck "Show notifications" and "Show overlay in games." These settings stop pop-ups from interrupting gameplay.

In the same menu, find Downloads and toggle off "Auto-update games." This prevents Ubisoft Connect from downloading patches in the background while you are playing or working. You can still update manually when you choose.

When you close Ubisoft Connect after finishing a game, check the box that says "Keep running in background" or look for a system tray option. This keeps the launcher running minimized instead of fully closing it, so the next time you launch a game from Steam, Ubisoft Connect starts faster.

Games on Steam that do not need Ubisoft Connect

Ubisoft sold games on Steam before it created Ubisoft Connect (around 2020). Older titles like Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and some editions of Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege do not require the launcher. You can check by launching the game — if Ubisoft Connect does not appear, you do not need it.

However, newer Ubisoft releases and re-releases of older games have been updated to require Ubisoft Connect. Assassin's Creed Mirage, Star Wars Outlaws, and recent Far Cry titles all need it. There is no way to know without checking the store page or launching the game yourself.

Using Ubisoft+ as an alternative

If running two launchers bothers you, Ubisoft+ is a subscription service that includes most Ubisoft games. You launch them through the Ubisoft Connect launcher only — no Steam involved. The subscription costs money (pricing varies by region), but you avoid the Steam-plus-Ubisoft setup entirely.

Ubisoft+ does not include every Ubisoft game ever made, and new releases sometimes take months to appear on the service. Check the Ubisoft+ catalog to see whether the specific games you want are included before subscribing.

GOG and DRM-free alternatives

GOG (Good Old Games) sells some Ubisoft titles without any launcher requirement at all. Games sold on GOG are DRM-free, meaning you read the files and run them directly without logging into any account system. Not all Ubisoft games are available on GOG — mostly older titles and some indie games Ubisoft has published.

Check GOG's store to see if the game you want is available there. If it is, you pay once and own the files outright, with no launcher, no account requirement, and no online check-in needed to play.

What does not work

You cannot delete or rename Ubisoft Connect files to prevent it from launching. The game executable is designed to call Ubisoft Connect by its full path, and removing it will cause the game to crash or fail to start.

Modifying configuration files or using third-party tools to block Ubisoft Connect will either not work or will trigger anti-cheat systems in multiplayer games, resulting in a ban. Ubisoft actively maintains its launcher integration, so workarounds that existed years ago are no longer reliable.

Running the game in offline mode through Steam does not bypass Ubisoft Connect — the launcher still starts, it just tries to connect offline instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Ubisoft games on Steam without Ubisoft Connect at all?

No. All current Ubisoft games on Steam require Ubisoft Connect to launch. Older games released before 2020 may not need it, but you can only find out by trying to launch them. If you want to avoid the dual-launcher setup, use Ubisoft+ or buy DRM-free versions on GOG if available.

Does Ubisoft Connect slow down my game?

Ubisoft Connect uses some system memory and can cause a slight delay when launching a game, but it should not affect frame rates or performance once the game is running. If you experience stuttering or lag in-game, it is usually not caused by the launcher itself.

What happens if I uninstall Ubisoft Connect?

Ubisoft games on Steam will not launch. Steam will show an error or the game will crash on startup. You would need to reinstall Ubisoft Connect to play them again.

Is there a way to make Ubisoft Connect launch faster?

Yes. Keep it running in the background instead of fully closing it after each session. Disable auto-updates and notifications in settings. Close other programs before launching a game to free up system resources. A faster internet connection also helps Ubisoft Connect authenticate your account more quickly.

Can I use a VPN or offline mode to skip Ubisoft Connect?

No. Ubisoft Connect will still launch and attempt to authenticate your account. Offline mode does not bypass the launcher — it just lets you play if the authentication server is temporarily unavailable. Using a VPN to avoid regional restrictions may trigger account security flags.