Is there a method to combine Steam's "screenshots.vdf" files from various computers into a single file?
Is there a method to combine Steam's "screenshots.vdf" files from various computers into a single file?
I have been utilizing Steam on various computers and aim to consolidate all the screenshots I've captured onto a single system. The actual images are fine; what matters is moving the corresponding folders and, after a lengthy process of Steam repeatedly saying "New screenshot taken!" for hours, they finally integrate into your collection. The challenge arises because there exists a file named "screenshots.vdf" located in the specified Steam user data directory. Although Steam updates and adds new screenshots to this file, it also records any captions or comments you've added, which are not retained when simply copying the folders.
I'm seeking a method to retain all the comments I've made, as preserving them is essential. There seems to be no straightforward solution—merging the contents of these vdf files appears to be the only option. I searched online and found several tools, but none are specifically tailored for this purpose. The "SteaScree" tool gained attention, yet it only integrates external screenshots into your library and doesn't merge or copy entries from other vdf files. GameSave Manager was another option I encountered, frequently used for backup, but it doesn't merge files and leaves the vdf untouched.
The file itself is essentially a plain text document, easily readable in editors like Notepad, with a clear structure. However, I'm unaware of any software designed to parse and edit it in a way that combines entries from multiple files. With thousands of screenshots across hundreds of games, manual merging is impractical.
Uncertain about the complete procedure that appears to be needed.
But searching for "Powershell merge parse files screenshots" will yield several useful links.
For instance:
https://community.spiceworks.com/t/...-s...one/810157
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powers...rshell-7.4
https://superuser.com/questions/1808526/...ell-script
Using the Get-Content cmdlet could be a solid starting point.
Not one I’ve used extensively, but it might help meet the merge and related requirements.
Conduct some research, adjust your search terms as you learn more.
Set up a test setup to try things out safely.
Make sure all original data is securely saved before moving.
If issues arise, simply remove everything and restart.
Develop a clear step-by-step approach to demonstrate the process from start to finish.
Perfectness isn’t essential at this stage.
The main goal is to grasp the overall merging needs.
The process isn't straightforward because simply attaching the full screenshot file to another doesn't work, as it has a specific structure. Just copying all content could result in a file that Steam can't interpret or might even cause the program to crash.
For instance, the initial file begins with "screenshots" and this pattern isn't repeated. It then lists a game ID (394230) followed by details for each screenshot, including comments and other information.
Another example shows a different layout with two game entries (IDs 1635840 and 737520), where one screenshot is present and the other has screenshots saved in two separate spots.
Combining entire files would create confusion since it would include multiple sets of entries instead of a single one. The order of the games in the file isn't clear either—it doesn’t appear to be sorted numerically by ID.
This is why I'm wondering if anyone has created tools to merge these entries into a unified file, as the current method isn't reliable. The Steamworks documentation offers some guidance but isn't sufficient for this task. It's meant for developers integrating screenshot APIs, not for understanding file structure nuances.