first of all thanks for your replay end excuse me if my english is a bit rusty 1- Steam starts with GameEx. Both applications start, but Steam steals focus from GameEx --->>> yes. when i make tests if i use "LaunchOnStart= LaunchOnStartNoWait=D:\Emulators\Steam\Steam.exe -silent" game ex start, steam start but steam steal focus . 3-.Steam tries to Start with GameEx. Steam starts up fine, but GameEx doesn't start at all --->>> yes. when i use "LaunchOnStart=D:\Emulators\Steam\Steam.exe -silent LaunchOnStartNoWait=" i ve tried to start steam with settings "start steam with windows". using settings indicated in point 1 . i had the same result. steam start, game ex start. after this test (now start steam with windows is unckecked) steam starts silent (in msconfig i can see it as autostart) . When i start gameex with option at point 1 now it seems RIGHT and apparently the problem is solved with this configuration: - ms config auto start in silent mode steam - in game ex .ini i leaved this configuration "LaunchOnStart= LaunchOnStartNoWait=D:\Emulators\Steam\Steam.exe -silent" and no one steal focus to each other. I assume this problem is solved but tonight i will take a new look (in italy i have some hours of difference from you). 2- You can launch a Steam game from GameEx, but GameEx steals focus back from the game before it really gets going. ... the real problem is that the game from game ex starts but in the game menu .. controls are not recognized (i use ipac2 board that works perfectly in mame) and after a minute i see that steam logoff . I suppose that we can focus on problem number two.. but tonight as i said i will turn on my cabinet, verify the config, and if it works i will confirm in a new post.