Transfer Steam install from one computer to another?

[Dwood]

Is there a way to transfer a steam install between two computers? I have an account on my good computer, which for various reasons can't connect to the internet right now... is there a way to install the game on a computer and then move it to the other one?

[ThePlague]

Do a game backup onto an external HDD or flash drive. You need to have the game installed on one computer though.

[Dwood]

Do a game backup onto an external HDD or flash drive. You need to have the game installed on one computer though.

it is, and both computers have been authorized with my account.

[ThePlague]

Then right click the game you want to transfer in Steam, go to backup Game files, and choose how you want to back it up and where.

[Rook]

1) Copy the SteamApps folder on your primary computer to an external drive or whatever you were using to get the games over. (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps)
2) On your secondary computer log out of steam and delete the SteamApps folder from the steam folder, paste in the one yo copied from your primary computer.
3) gg load up steam? The games when clicked within steam will still have to go through the "just installed" process like it's their first time. Some of them installing directx and stuff like that but it will work.

If you're pulling over save files too remember some games save files in Documents and other places outside of the SteamApps folder.

[Warsaw]

Shit, I just backed up my entire Steam folder onto an external HDD and then copied it to the new computer. Everything works 100%, though updates that come out during the transfer process will need to be applied.

[Mr Buckshot]

To speed up the process even more, temporarily make your Steam folder on the destination computer public on the LAN and copy over that way. Then remove the sharing afterwards. I had to do this because my external HDD was clogged to the max.

[Rook]

Shit, I just backed up my entire Steam folder onto an external HDD and then copied it to the new computer. Everything works 100%, though updates that come out during the transfer process will need to be applied.
Well that actually works but the only folder you need is the SteamApps. I don't think the registry entries will be there either if you don't install steam using the installer.

[Warsaw]

True, but the lack of registry entries is a non-issue if not a boon. The games don't even rely upon the registry for anything because all of the security is internet-based.

I transfered the entire folder because I also wanted the updated Steam UI. If you just download a new Steam and transfer the Steam Apps, you still have to wait for Steam to update itself. Also, the Steam installer hates me and never, ever works properly. :v: