How to Move a Steam Game to Another Drive, The Easy Way

Last Updated: Feb 10, 2024 by

If you’re an avid gamer, chances are you have a large collection of games on your computer. And if you’re a Steam user, you know that games can take up a lot of space on your hard drive. But what happens when you run out of space on your current drive and need to move a game to another drive? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you the easy way to move a Steam game to another drive.

Why Move a Steam Game to Another Drive?

There are a few reasons why you might want to move a Steam game to another drive. The most common reason is that you’re running out of space on your current drive and need to free up some space. Another reason could be that you want to move the game to a faster or larger drive for better performance. Whatever your reason may be, moving a Steam game to another drive is a simple process.

The Traditional Method

The traditional method of moving a Steam game to another drive involves copying the game files manually and then updating the game’s location in the Steam client. This method can be time-consuming and confusing for some users, especially if you’re not familiar with the file structure of Steam games.

The Easy Way

Fortunately, there is an easier way to move a Steam game to another drive. Steam has a built-in feature that allows you to move games to another drive with just a few clicks. This method is much faster and more straightforward than the traditional method, making it the preferred option for most users.

How to Move a Steam Game to Another Drive

Now that you know why you might want to move a Steam game to another drive, let’s dive into the steps to do so.

Step 1: Create a New Steam Library Folder

The first step is to create a new Steam library folder on the drive where you want to move the game. To do this, open the Steam client and click on “Steam” in the top left corner. Then, click on “Settings” from the drop-down menu.

In the Settings menu, click on “Downloads” from the left-hand menu. Then, click on “Steam Library Folders” in the middle of the screen.

Next, click on “Add Library Folder” at the bottom of the screen. Choose the drive where you want to move the game and click “New Folder” to create a new folder for your Steam games. Name the folder “SteamLibrary” or something similar, and click “Select” to create the new library folder.

Step 2: Move the Game Files

Now that you have a new Steam library folder on the drive where you want to move the game, it’s time to move the game files. To do this, open the Steam client and click on “Library” at the top of the screen. Right-click on the game you want to move and click on “Properties” from the drop-down menu.

In the Properties menu, click on the “Local Files” tab at the top. Then, click on “Move Install Folder” at the bottom of the screen.

A new window will pop up, asking you to choose the new location for the game. Select the new Steam library folder you created in Step 1 and click “Move Folder” to start the process.

Step 3: Verify Game Files

Once the game files have been moved to the new location, Steam will verify the game files to ensure everything is in the right place. This process may take a few minutes, depending on the size of the game and the speed of your drive.

Step 4: Play the Game

Once the verification process is complete, you can start playing the game from its new location. Simply click on the game in your Steam library, and it will launch from the new drive.

Tips for Moving Steam Games to Another Drive

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when moving Steam games to another drive:

  • Make sure you have enough space on the new drive to accommodate the game files.
  • If you’re moving a game to a slower drive, you may experience longer loading times and decreased performance.
  • You can move multiple games at once by selecting them all in your Steam library and following the steps outlined above.
  • If you want to move a game back to its original location, simply follow the same steps and select the original library folder as the new location.

Conclusion

Moving a Steam game to another drive is a simple process that can save you a lot of time and hassle. Whether you’re running out of space on your current drive or want to improve game performance, the easy method outlined in this article is the way to go. So go ahead and free up some space on your hard drive or upgrade to a faster drive without worrying about losing your favorite games.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.