Can I keep games on a USB drive instead of using the cloud without any problems?

F5F Stay Refreshed Software PC Gaming Can I keep games on a USB drive instead of using the cloud without any problems?

Can I keep games on a USB drive instead of using the cloud without any problems?

Can I keep games on a USB drive instead of using the cloud without any problems?

P

Pekaaa
Member

206

02-17-2023, 10:05 AM

#1

I own a lot of digital games, quite a few worth a lot of money. I’m considering using USB drives as cartridges to store my games and load them onto an SSD via a USB thumb drive instead of relying on the internet. It would be simple drag-and-drop into the correct place and then back when needed. Or even just copy and delete. A 10-20TB HDD would be ideal, but I already have the thumb drives, and I think they’d speed up data transfer anyway. I’m concerned about data corruption, too, and worry that Epic or Steam might behave strangely and force me to re-download the games.

P

Pekaaa

02-17-2023, 10:05 AM #1

I own a lot of digital games, quite a few worth a lot of money. I’m considering using USB drives as cartridges to store my games and load them onto an SSD via a USB thumb drive instead of relying on the internet. It would be simple drag-and-drop into the correct place and then back when needed. Or even just copy and delete. A 10-20TB HDD would be ideal, but I already have the thumb drives, and I think they’d speed up data transfer anyway. I’m concerned about data corruption, too, and worry that Epic or Steam might behave strangely and force me to re-download the games.

P

Postinq
Member

222

02-17-2023, 10:01 PM

#2

It's not merely drag and drop. Nearly, though not entirely accurate. Steam offers a dedicated role for relocating game installations.

P

Postinq

02-17-2023, 10:01 PM #2

It's not merely drag and drop. Nearly, though not entirely accurate. Steam offers a dedicated role for relocating game installations.

D

deadlyhusky
Member

71

02-18-2023, 03:28 AM

#3

For certain launchers, you can relocate the files while the application isn’t running, and upon the next launch it will recognize the game is gone and mark it as uninstalled. I’ve checked this with Origin, Epic Games Store, and GOG Galaxy. With Origin and Epic Games Store, if the game was previously installed but not in the library folder, it will also notice when you move it back. GOG Galaxy still marks the game as uninstalled.

In Steam, you can still move the game files, though each title has an appmanifest that labels it as "installed." Unless you know which manifest corresponds to which game (and rename it if needed), it will appear in your library as installed.

In general, for any launcher, if the files are present in the library path and you request installation, most will verify the presence, download missing or outdated content, and make the game available again.

D

deadlyhusky

02-18-2023, 03:28 AM #3

For certain launchers, you can relocate the files while the application isn’t running, and upon the next launch it will recognize the game is gone and mark it as uninstalled. I’ve checked this with Origin, Epic Games Store, and GOG Galaxy. With Origin and Epic Games Store, if the game was previously installed but not in the library folder, it will also notice when you move it back. GOG Galaxy still marks the game as uninstalled.

In Steam, you can still move the game files, though each title has an appmanifest that labels it as "installed." Unless you know which manifest corresponds to which game (and rename it if needed), it will appear in your library as installed.

In general, for any launcher, if the files are present in the library path and you request installation, most will verify the presence, download missing or outdated content, and make the game available again.