Best Way to Transfer Steam Games?

[Freeze]

Helllooooo
For christmas I'm hoping to get a new computer but with steam christmas download speeds I really don't feel like downloading everything again. What and how could I transfer them faster? I already have them downloaded on this computer. Would an external HD work? What would I copy? Thank you :D

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[Lugnut]

I don't know if its possible to transfer games. I heard it wasn't, but thats a third-hand piece of information.

[dkamm65]

You might be able to copy the game's directory and verify cache, but I don't know. There might be something that ties the files to a specific computer.

[Mega-Bear]

I'm pretty sure you can just use your current hard drive on the new computer if you have enough experience with building it or whatever.

[NASAboy3000]

1. Copy your steamapps folder to the new HD you want to install steam on.
2. Install steam
3. Place the steamapps folder with the games where the newly installed one is

I had to do this when I got a new HD

[Snaffle J. Bean]

1. Copy your steamapps folder to the new HD you want to install steam on.
2. Install steam
3. Place the steamapps folder with the games where the newly installed one is

I had to do this when I got a new HD

Or you could just use steam's built-in backup feature.

[ZSNO]

Or you could just use steam's built-in backup feature.

This

[aludane]

Or you could just use steam's built-in backup feature.

Yep this is what I have done. I've backed up my most used games and can transfer the files.

Use this.

[Snaffle J. Bean]

Yep this is what I have done. I've backed up my most used games and can transfer the files.

Use this.

Helps saves bandwidth, too. The hard drive steam is installed on is only 180gb, so I have to uninstall games frequently to make room for new ones. I just back them up onto my 500gb internal HDD before I uninstall them.

[D3ATH]

External HDD works just fine. Steam just adds the games to Windows registry, does first time setups and you're good to go.

[Freeze]

So using back up I won't have to download ANY thing from the steam servers?
How small is a backup for say- something the size of TF2?

[Snaffle J. Bean]

So using back up I won't have to download ANY thing from the steam servers?
How small is a backup for say- something the size of TF2?

The size of TF2. Maybe a bit under, because I think it compresses it, but not much.

[Nickelob Ultra]

So using back up I won't have to download ANY thing from the steam servers?
How small is a backup for say- something the size of TF2?

Right click the game, click properties.  Look under "Local Files", and it'll tell you.

Personally I don't like their backup function, I just redownload what games I'm most likely to play from the start or to keep me busy for the time being and then I download everything overnight.

But I have a really great internet connection, so it's obviously not the same for everyone.

You can copy and paste the Steam directory but there are some games that might just be wacky when it comes to that.  Some might need reinstallation.

[Snaffle J. Bean]

I have a really great internet connection, so it's obviously not the same for everyone.

So do I, but it's the bandwidth that forces me to backup. 250GB/month sounds like a lot, but when netflix is almost constantly being streamed in HD while your brother downloads a ton of useless stuff, it easily gets used up.

[Freeze]

I have a good internet connection but the nearest steam server to me is in London. I live in Scotland. :c