Thanks @Darkheart;!
Installing IS a pain! You've got to remove your save directory (or, better yet, just rename it) and clean out a directory in AppData, too! When there is a problem, you don't just crash out, either - the dang thing just spins and spins as you're trying to load without any error indication. If the window is full screen, you can't get out of it and have to sign out of Windows to get the program to stop. Still, it's small potatoes compared to the time you get in game.
Cleaning out the hidden Windows folders is only necessary if you want an absolute clean slate. I have only done it once when the transition to v.0996 (Flashpoint) was done. Otherwise it should be enough to verify files over Steam, disable Steam cloud saves and use the option in the RT installer to remove the folders they recommend. I would also recommend to disable auto-updates in Steam for the game.