Maximum PC

So I want to get a new computer and would obviously want to keep my steam games, some of which were downloaded. I'm also going to be moving from XP to Windows 7, and I don't know if that's going to be a problem.

I kinda see the new computer as a fresh start, so I won't be putting this hard drive in the new one. Is there some way I can put the games on an external hard drive, install steam on the new computer, then load the games onto the new windows 7 computer?

Just copy the whole steam folder itself. Run steam from the folder on the new system and it should automatically take care of everything for you (might have to delete the clientregistery.blob).

you don't need the whole folder, just the one where your games are stored.

you can also just re-download them if you think that would be easier. but I don't know how long that would take you

According to Steam's support base, they suggest you go into your steam folder, and delete everything inside with the exception of the folder "steamapps" and steam.exe. Then simply cut and paste the newly gutted folder to the new location. Oh, and be sure you log yourself out first.

ok thanks. I'll be back if I have any trouble in the process

If anything goes wrong, it is very easy (though time and bandwidth consuming) to download them from Steam again .. there are no limits to the number of times you can download the games you've purchased.

Not true. Some games with Securom or other protections limit the number of times you can activate/install a game.

Srsly? I had no idea ... I guess I stand corrected. Thanks, airhead

Wow that's crap. I thought Steam overcame that crap DRM.

yeah some games have additional DRM on top of the steam DRM

If you want more, here's a neat little thread.
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/s ... p?t=966005