Dunno about you guys but I was shocked and pissed when I saw I had to download the freaking Skyrim game for PC even though I went and purchased the PHYSICAL copy of the damn game tonight!  There just had to be a workaround for this and I luckily I found it. Stupid Steam making choices for us, screw that!
 
https://support.steampowe...php?ref=5357-FSQM-0382

http://forums.bethsoft.co...disc-instead-of-steam/  
 
 
Installing from Disc instead of Steam

Question
I try to install my retail game from the included disc(s), but the game begins downloading through Steam instead.  What can be done?

Answer
Mac Users:
If you are using a Mac, you will not be able to install from the disc. Please double-click on the game in your Library list to begin downloading and installing the software.

Using Steam launch options to install retail games from disc

•      Log in to Steam and click on Library.
  
•      Right-click on the game, select Delete local content, and confirm.
•      Insert the first disc into your computer.
•      Close Steam (Steam > Exit).  
•      Press Windows Key + R to open Run  
•      In the Run window type:  "C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -install E:

 
Replace E: with the CD/DVD drive you are installing from if is not correct.     Replace C:\Program Files\Steam if your Steam installation is not in the default location. Press OK.  Steam will launch and ask you to sign in if you do not have your password saved.  Your installation should continue from the disc.
 
MY ADDITIONAL  NOTE: 
The correct path for my Windows 7 64 install was 
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install D:

I love you

Thanks soo much, its 2:30 and it was downloading it sooo slow. it took about 3 mins to install this way

1ceTr0n - i'm sure i speak for a hell of a lot of people when i say: Dude, your my new favourite person - Thank (Edited for language) you!
 

Yeah i tried installing via DVD but it says i couldn't because it isn't launched yet. But when i clicked Preload it went into download mode but wasn't moving either.. stuck at 0% ... do you guys think that it might have thought that i purchased it from steam by that ? Im not sure and i sure as hell don't want to pay twice for this game and having a physical copy and digital copy ..

Welcome guys, I honestly could not believe that I was seeing that farking Steam wanted to download the entire damn game. What the hell is the point of going through the trouble of buying a physical copy then Valve? Seriously?! We buy physical copies so we DO NOT have to do this download crap other then patchs.
 
Gabe's starting to loose his mind, I swear...

fakamal


Yeah i tried installing via DVD but it says i couldn't because it isn't launched yet. But when i clicked Preload it went into download mode but wasn't moving either.. stuck at 0% ... do you guys think that it might have thought that i purchased it from steam by that ? Im not sure and i sure as hell don't want to pay twice for this game and having a physical copy and digital copy ..

 
Be sure to note where your steam folder is located on your machine as well as the letter of your DVD drive. I had to change my path from default as I noted in first post

Steam says =  "C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -install E:
My PC setup =  "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install D:

I still instal from a disk it just DL a pach for me.

shaneduce


I still instal from a disk it just DL a pach for me.

 
Same here, but crap tons faster still then installing game from scratch over heavily hammered Steam network.

Made a account so i could say thank you.
Instead of 3 hours the install took 15 min.
Thank you

This doesn't seem to work for me. I've done all the steps you've described but nothing happens once Steam opens up again.
 
I delete local content -> insert the disc -> exit Steam -> enter: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install C: in Run 
-> Steam opens up, but nothing happens.
 
Help please!

I have the same problem :( do not want to wait for it to download i n 30Kb/s

I got it to work thank you so much!!!

Thanks for making this thread, I seem to be getting problems with it though.
First off, it worked like a charm untill I was told steam was busy, and after that, it keeps telling me this.
I can't start downloading the game now either, but it says I've installed it if I run the disk, even though I haven't installed it.
I can't delete any local content either.
 
Know anything that might help?
 
EDIT: Nevermind, I got it to work, cheers for the thread!

Damn! Alot of people must be googling for answers to this frustrating issue, 7k views over night! Glad im not the only one who thinks is this utter crap on Steams part.

I´d rather download a cracked version of the game next time if steam forces me to download when ive got the boxed version!
 
Thank You bigtime! You made this day go from crap to super=)

Skallfraktur


This doesn't seem to work for me. I've done all the steps you've described but nothing happens once Steam opens up again.

I delete local content -> insert the disc -> exit Steam -> enter: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install C: in Run 
-> Steam opens up, but nothing happens.

Help please!

 
In the end your shoud write your DVD, not C:
exempel:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install E:
 
Works for me.
 
PS: lycka till :) :DS

Thank you very much! I just got home with my copy and saw that key inside the box and was (Edited for language)!
 
Thank you aign!

I'm trying this install from disc thing, and I get as far as steam opening up, but it is stuck on "validating files" -- it just sits there at 100% and does nothing. This is so frustrating, I don't want to wait an infinity for it to download from steam!

hnasman


I'm trying this install from disc thing, and I get as far as steam opening up, but it is stuck on "validating files" -- it just sits there at 100% and does nothing. This is so frustrating, I don't want to wait an infinity for it to download from steam!

 
Did you try installing from disc first, cancel it and then delete local files as Steam states too before running the command?

I'm glad so many people found this useful. Its utter BS that we coudln't install Skyrim off of DVD like we have every other PC game for the past, oh I dunno... 15 years?????

welcome to the digital world 1ceTron, I feel sorry for others who have slow internet and have to use dvd's still but I actually like steam and being able to download and update games automaticly.

_Nite_


welcome to the digital world 1ceTron, I feel sorry for others who have slow internet and have to use dvd's still but I actually like steam and being able to download and update games automaticly.

 
I officially say, screw that sh1t.

I wish i had a DVD copy of skyrim, or a copy of it at all :-/

for people like me that refuse to use that spyware that is called steam there is a way to by pass steam. 
 
edited out how to do it. not sure if it meets evga rules. so i just removed it to be safe

I love Steam, but not letting you install from the DVD is just silly.  (especially when your trying to download a 20GB game over a slow DSL connection) 

*sigh* Guys it's not workin for me at all. Whenever I type that in (for me it's windows 7 and the E drive is my iPod so I have to put in D)
("C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe" -install D:)
 
 It pops up saying I don't have write privilieges which is complete bull because I have only 1 account and that makes me =admin right? I;m sincerely pissed right now, cuz I got skyrim 2 days ago and haven;t been able to play it becuase of ****ing dumbass steam.

Im not getting the game to install from my disc (W7 64bit)... I've followed the steps to install but no luck... the run command ( C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe ) takes me to the steam store... does not activate an install...
 
I HATE STEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will find more info on it here as well
 
http://forums.bethsoft.co...disc-instead-of-steam/

MultiTask


Im not getting the game to install from my disc (W7 64bit)... I've followed the steps to install but no luck... the run command ( C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.exe ) takes me to the steam store... does not activate an install...

I HATE STEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 
You are forgetting the crucial part of the command   -install E:    Be sure to change "E" to your corresponding DVD drive letter.