Hi there, I'm presently trying to install this via steam, but I don't want to download 5 GB as I have the CD and I'm out of quota, so it'd be quite expensive. It seems to default to a download despite the presence of the CD in the drive. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Nevermind - found this online and it's working ( I first uninstalled my partial downloaded installation by running the CD's setup.exe file, then got to step 2 below):


"I had the same problem, and I really have no idea why it happens or how to fix it. I have, however, found a workaround. I tend to just do this from the get-go instead of actually using the setup, because of weird issues like this.

• Don't run the disc setup; instead, https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=5414-TFBN-1352 your CD key manually, and abort the actual installation process.
  
• Open the https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8794-YPHV-2033 window (Steam → Backup and Restore Games…).
  
• Select Restore a previous backup.
  
• Browse to the drive letter of the installation disc.
  
• Steam should tell you that it found a backup of Modern Warfare 3. Click next.
  
• The game will install from disc.

This has worked for me with MW3 specifically, and other games.
Note that you can't entirely avoid downloading it; you'll still have to download the latest patches to bring your game up to date."

Thank you for this, it was really helpful. I couldn't find the solution anywhere else.

I loathe the lack of physical installation and using steam as the DRM for almost anything these days.
Sure having the option for digital copy is great but the option should remain...aside Steam and Origin don't work as far as preventing piracy at all. The best thing I have ever seen to fight piracy was a game(can't remember the title) and the first boss was unkillable if you had a ripped copy....now that is what I call effective DRM.