If you are trying to solve a specific technical issue, let me know: Are you facing at your location?

You cannot play the official matchmaking version of Dota 2 without Steam running in the background. However, you can bypass the Steam client for specific niche scenarios.

I can provide the exact step-by-step configuration for your specific goal.

Be cautious of downloading "Dota 2 Non-Steam" installers from third-party websites. Since the game is free to play on Steam