
Valve is giving Steam’s user interface a significant facelift. In its latest Steam Client Beta release, the company has introduced a redesigned store menu and enhanced search tools—offering users a more intuitive browsing experience on the world’s largest PC gaming storefront.
A New Look: Menu Bar and Store Layout Merge
Users who opt into the Steam Client Beta will immediately notice the most visible change: the merger of the classic left-hand navigation column with the blue top bar. This creates a unified pane that streamlines navigation across game categories, top sellers, new releases, and personalized recommendations.
The updated menu also places a stronger emphasis on discovery. Gamers can now quickly jump into genre-specific categories or get curated suggestions based on recently played games—all without clicking through multiple layers.
Enhanced Search and Intelligent Suggestions
Search functionality has been revamped to be smarter and more user-centric. Alongside traditional search results, users now receive real-time recommendations and category suggestions, making it easier to discover new titles or related genres.
This improvement is part of Valve’s larger effort to make Steam not just a storefront, but a more responsive platform for game exploration.
Performance Monitoring Tools Included
This update builds upon changes introduced in June 2025, when Valve quietly added a powerful performance monitoring tool. Available directly through the Steam overlay, this tool shows in-game metrics such as:
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Frames per second (FPS)
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CPU and GPU usage
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Component temperatures
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Detection of technologies like NVIDIA DLSS
This feature allows players to better understand their system’s capabilities and troubleshoot hardware bottlenecks more effectively.
From Leaks to Live Testing
Rumors and early screenshots of the store overhaul began circulating on social media weeks ago. Now, Steam users can test the real deal by opting into the beta build. Valve confirmed the launch via its official announcement page, inviting feedback from users to fine-tune the design before wider release.
How to Try the Beta
To test the new features:
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Open Steam.
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Go to Settings > Interface > Client Beta Participation.
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Select Steam Beta Update and restart the client.
Valve hasn’t confirmed a final release date for the new store UI, but if testing goes well, it could arrive for all users in the near future.
The Steam store menu beta update reflects Valve’s commitment to improving user experience through cleaner interfaces and smarter functionality. From better game discovery to system performance tracking, this update makes Steam feel like a modern platform again—one ready for the demands of today’s gamers.