Virtualize Steam/TF2 installation to keep Windows Clean?

[buppus]

I am of the belief that Steam #v¢|<'s up your Windows registry and bogs the computer down upon installation, so I want to know if there's a way to virtualize it?

To clarify, I want to install Steam/TF2 on my secondary HDD [D:], but without touching my new SSD Windows7x64 installation on [C:]

Since I have not found a way to make Steam portable, I thought maybe something like Sandboxie (application virtualization/sandboxing) might help, but I don't know how to get it to write to [D:] without affecting [C:]

Any thoughts?

[jonnyGURU]

For the most part, Steam just uses up a lot of RAM. If you have plenty of RAM, you shouldn't experience any problems.

[EVGA Phaedrus]

Steam doesn't really mess with the registry.

Know what messes the registry up more? People who worry about the registry too much and use registry cleaners as if they're a magic go-fast program.

[buppus]

I have 16GB of DDR3 2133, and the idea is to keep programs from writing to the registry in the first place - I dont use registry cleaners.

All I know is that the computers I set up are incredibly fast and efficient until Steam gets installed... then they run like crap.

Any input on virtualization?

[Phaedrus2129]

The registry has absolutely nothing to do with your RAM... nothing.

[jonnyGURU]

Yeah.. I don't know why you're having issues. I've installed Steam on my laptop, desktop.... never had it slow down my PC.

[buppus]

I'm not saying the registry has anything to do with RAM, just responding to the post above by making it clear that I have plenty of it.

It's a subtle change, but it seems to be progressive over time. It noticeably slows down the computer after a while (like months). I like the fresh-out-of-the-box startup and near instant response, and I know the steam registry entry is big and ugly.

Like I said, I'm going for a lean windows install - not wanting to bog it down with ANYTHING - I'm running all portable apps, and trying to figure out how to virtualize anything that can't be run portably from my secondary drive.


EDIT: What if I made a backup of my entire current Steam folder, moved it to [D:], then install it sandboxed on the new system? Does that sound like it would work?

[Shadowww]

Originally Posted by jonnyGURU

For the most part, Steam just uses up a lot of RAM. If you have plenty of RAM, you shouldn't experience any problems.

Approximately 3 days since login, and few hours of gameplay without Steam restarts. Can't see how that's "a lot of RAM" when even Skype uses 10 times more.

[McSteel]

Love your username in windows.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Originally Posted by Shadowww

Approximately 3 days since login, and few hours of gameplay without Steam restarts. Can't see how that's "a lot of RAM" when even Skype uses 10 times more.

My install uses a mite more than that...

Even so, it isn't Steam making this system slow to get going, it's all the other stuff. I don't mind as long as it stays speedy when it gets to the desktop - this rig runs 24/7.

2500K with 16GB DDR3.