How to stop Steam VR launching when I don't want DCS in VR?

[Talisman_VR]

Hi Folks,

Just got a new PC and am fresh downloading everything from scratch.  Searched the internet, but can't find a definitive solution to stop Steam VR from launching when I want to run DCS without VR.  This did not happen with my old rig, but something seems to have changed. 

This is driving me crazy, lol.  What I am missing?

Any hints/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Happy landings,

Talisman

[SharpeXB]

Try this. From the Library, right click on the title. Select Properties / General. There it will list Launch Options where you can choose VR, normal or if to ask when starting. I don’t have DCS on Steam but that’s how it works in another game. 

Edited July 20 by SharpeXB

[Talisman_VR]

Many thanks SharpeXB.  But not sure this will help me as I did not purchase DCS through Steam.

Happy landings,

Talisman

[Qcumber]

19 hours ago, Talisman_VR said:

Hi Folks,

Just got a new PC and am fresh downloading everything from scratch.  Searched the internet, but can't find a definitive solution to stop Steam VR from launching when I want to run DCS without VR.  This did not happen with my old rig, but something seems to have changed. 

This is driving me crazy, lol.  What I am missing?

Any hints/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Happy landings,

Talisman

What headset are you using? 

[Talisman_VR]

Hi Qcumber,

I am using a Somnium VR1.

With my old PC it took so long to open DCS, that I had time to turn off Steam VR when it popped up after I clicked the DCS desktop icon, allowing DCS time to load in flat screen mode, no problems. 

However, with my new faster PC, DCS starts to load so quick now that no matter how quick I am to shut down Steam VR when it pops up, I can't win and it messes up DCS as it is loading because I have just turned off Steam VR, lol. 

Result is that I am having to uninstall Steam each time I want to work on DCS in flat screen mode, otherwise I can't get DCS to launch as I want it.  LOL  

Happy landings,

Talisman

P.S.  This is a problem even though I have my VR headset turned off, completely disconnected, unplugged and my lighthouse also unplugged/disconnected. 

 

Edited July 21 by Talisman_VR

[TimberWolf]

You should be able to choose between VR and flat monitor when you first start the program. Choose the monitor, and VR won't start at all.

ETA: Screenshot

Edited July 22 by TimberWolf

[Mk1_Trebuchet]

Or you can bypass the whole launcher thing and create a couple of desktop shortcuts to DCS.exe for starting in pancake or VR...

For pancake add --force_disable_VR to the end of the shortcut

for VR add --force_enable_VR

 

 

[Talisman_VR]

14 hours ago, TimberWolf said:

You should be able to choose between VR and flat monitor when you first start the program. Choose the monitor, and VR won't start at all.

ETA: Screenshot

Many thanks.  I disabled the launcher, so maybe if I enable it again I will get this option before Steam VR starts up.  Will let you know if this works.

Happy landings,

Talisman

1 hour ago, Mk1_Trebuchet said:

Or you can bypass the whole launcher thing and create a couple of desktop shortcuts to DCS.exe for starting in pancake or VR...

For pancake add --force_disable_VR to the end of the shortcut

for VR add --force_enable_VR

 

 

Thanks.  Could be last resort.  Probably sounds daft, but I am not sure I have the understanding or confidence to try this though.

Happy landings,

Talisman

[Talisman_VR]

On 7/22/2025 at 2:28 AM, TimberWolf said:

You should be able to choose between VR and flat monitor when you first start the program. Choose the monitor, and VR won't start at all.

ETA: Screenshot

Big than you TimberWolf   Problem solved!!  I had disabled the launcher in settings thinking I did not need it.  Now I see why I need the launcher after all, lol.  Many thanks for taking the time to respond to this thread, I am very grateful to you. 

Thank you also to everybody else that that chipped in to help me along the way.  

Happy landings,

Talisman