Quick question from a new Steam user.

[jrmurph3]

Is it possible to download a steam game, for instance Skyrim, to one PC then back up the game files through Steam to an external hard drive and then restore the game files through steam to the same account and it work with no problem?

In theory, it is obvious that it should work, but is there any encryption or other worries that could hinder my process in doing this? My internet isn't as adequate as others' due to where I live.

 

[pauls3743]

Yes, it can be and is done very regularly. Don't use the Steam backup tool, just go into the steamapps directory (or common subdirectory) and copy the files. The Steam backup tool occasionally corrupts the backup. When you have copied the files to your own computer run the game cache verification tool, some of the files may not have survived the transfer.