Installing software takes way too long

bump

it maybe anti-virus software checking your installers but without specs of your pc its pretty hard to tell why you're getting the hangs.

Install from disk? Install from internet? What kind of internet connection? What kind of computer? How full is the hard drive? What installed programs, including anti-virus?

I ahve Panda Cloud Antivirus (uses low resources).
PC Specs:
i5 2500k @4.5GHz with Cooler Master Hyper 520 N
Asrock Extreme 3 Gen 3 Z68 Motherboard
MSI 7850 OC'ed to Core:1001MHz Memory:1337MHz
G Skill Ripjaws 8gb 1600 MHz (2 x 4gb) Ram
500gb 7200 RPM 16mb cache Seagate Hard Drive
2TB 7200 RPM 64 mb cache Seagate Hard Drive
Haf 922 Case

Install from internet. Installing and uninstalling Steam. Hard drive is half full. 2nd Hard Drive is pretty much empty.

So turn off the AV and see if it still happens. "Low overhead" means nothing if it's waiting for an overworked server somewhere to give the OK for your install.

Also, your machine doesn't need to save resources, you have plenty to go around. I suggest you try MS Security Essentials or AVG Free for a bit if you discover Panda is the problem.

In fact, even if that is not the issue you need to consider a "second opinion" on the state of malware on your PC.

I believe steam installs need a specific port opened to behave properly. This could be a router issue as well.