Steam downloads work by transferring files from Valve's servers to your computer. This process involves several steps:
1. Requesting a Download
- When you click the "Install" button on a game's page, you send a request to Steam's servers.
- This request includes information about the game, your account, and your computer's specifications.
2. Download Queue
- Steam adds the game to your download queue, prioritizing downloads based on factors like file size, download speed, and your current activity.
- You can monitor the progress of your downloads in the Steam client.
3. Downloading Files
- Steam downloads the game files from its servers in chunks.
- The size of these chunks can vary depending on your internet connection and the game's file size.
- Steam uses multiple servers to distribute the download load and maximize speed.
4. Verifying Files
- Once the download is complete, Steam verifies the integrity of the downloaded files.
- This ensures that all the necessary files are present and that they haven't been corrupted during the download process.
5. Installing the Game
- If the files are verified, Steam installs the game to your computer.
- This involves extracting the files and creating the necessary folders and registry entries.
6. Launching the Game
- Once the installation is complete, you can launch the game from your Steam library.
Note: Steam downloads can be paused and resumed at any time. You can also adjust your download speed limits to manage your internet bandwidth.
