Moving Steam to a different computer?

[NickN]

I want to move my Steam installation, with all the games, custom content, etc, from one computer to another. Simply re-downloading all the games on the other computer is not an option because I have a ton of custom content I want to keep. If I just move the whole Steam folder to the other computer, will it work? Or do I need to do something else?

 

[Special.K]

should work, as long as you have an internet connection, and put it in the same file location. if not, its a pain in the ass to get it working.

 

[squeezee]

I believe if you install the base steam client so it can create all the correct registry entrys/shortcuts. Then copy everything over it should work fine.

 

[Netrat33]

The only thing you need to delete and redownload is called..client.bob I think or something like that. But yes you can move the whole directory over to another computer, HD, whatever. I've done that a couple of times

 

[hity645]

Have you tried to use the backup option, and then install steam on the new pc and then restore?

 

[Shadowspawn]

^^ What he said. Just download the client (very small download), then backup your games on the one system, copy the files over, then install. Easy.

 

[LuminaryJanitor]

Have you tried to use the backup option, and then install steam on the new pc and then restore?

IIRC the backup function won't keep your downloaded maps etc., and I don't think it gets mods either. I've got a feeling it only grabs the .gcf files, and doesn't touch the game directories.