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Is it possible to download Steam platform updates using something that isn't the Steam client (i.e. HTTP) The steam client doesn't provide file size or time indications and I find this irritating when I launch a game and have to update.

Appolagies if this is a duplicate of something, I did search and didn't find anything.

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Is the version of steam directly downloaded from the Valve website always current? – Raven Dreamer♦ Nov 7 '10 at 0:43
I can't say for sure, but I assume not since the first thing it did after I installed it was to update – Crippledsmurf Nov 7 '10 at 0:58
I'm not very sure about that, it must be the current version though. It always checks for updates, though, since it has to ensure you have the latest fixes and updates by the time you have run a game. – Bora Nov 7 '10 at 8:28

4 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

The Steam client you download from their website still updates on first launch. You do not see file size or time indications when the client itself (steam) is updating. However i have seen a % value once or twice (on my win7 task-bar).

All Steam game updates will be visible in the Library -> Download Section

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up vote 3 down vote

To answer the question – and not focus on updates in general: No, Steam uses a proprietary protocol for file transfers.

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up vote -3 down vote

You can disable the auto-update facility on a per-game basis. R-click the game in the Library and (off the top of my head) go to Properties and the option is on one of the tabs there.

However, if you are going to be playing what is primarily a multi-player game, you'd be best of just leaving it on otherwise you'll probably not be able to join any games.

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1  
I believe the question is about Steam Client updates, and not game updates. (at least that was what I understood; some clarification is appreciated!) – Denilson Sá Jan 27 '11 at 0:35
up vote 3 down vote

That is a strange behavior because in my Steam client version it's clearly written in Library -> Download what you are downloading, the total size of the update and the estimated time needed to complete the download.

Anyway the only "official" way to download Steam updates are through Steam client.

Of course, if you have friends that play that game and they have already download the patch/update, you can exit from Steam and copy those files in the right position of your Steam folders; when Steam restarts it recognizes those new files and you are ready to launch the game.

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Not sure if that's random, a bug or a missing feature; but the Steam Client updates usually don't show up in Library → Downloads page. Maybe I might just have missed it all the time. However, I know it is displayed in the tooltip at the systray icon. – Denilson Sá Jan 27 '11 at 0:33
Drake, you confused Steam Client updates with game updates. Steam Client updates update Steam itself. – Andrew Dec 19 '12 at 18:37

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