Moving Steam games outside of Steam's backup/restore feature.
Moving Steam games outside of Steam's backup/restore feature.
This article provides guidance on moving Steam games between PCs. It addresses whether the current method still functions and highlights missing steps. Many users prefer using Steam's built-in backup features over manual processes, which can save time and patience. Some encountered issues like errors during backups, prompting a search for reliable alternatives. The suggested approach involves organizing files in a new folder and using Steam’s native tools to detect and reinstall games efficiently.
If you're merely moving the game's installation files, simply copy and paste the folder. Then point the Steam library there. When you launch the game, it will need to "verify" the files, which may take a bit depending on your drive speed. That’s the usual method I’ve used (I store my Steam library on a NAS and move game files to my Rig for LAN events).
This setup would allow seamless game data synchronization across all your devices via the cloud. For instance, a save file could be stored on your laptop in "They Are Billions" and accessed instantly on another machine whenever you need it. When you return, you can quickly load the exact state from your desktop without losing progress.
The article is correct, but there's a way you can skip everything past 2 if you want things to go faster Copy and paste the game's folder in the original steamapps/common directory to the new one. Go to the game's page in the Steam store and note the URL. There should be a number at the end. For example, Skyrim's URL is store.steampowered.com/app/489830/. So if you're moving Skyrim, note the 489830 Go to the original steamapps directory. Find the appmanifest file that has the same number as the game's page URL. So for Skyrim, this should be something like appmanfiest489830.manifest Copy that appmanifest file to the new steamapps directory Restart Steam if you had it running. The game should still be there and installed, as if nothing happened. To re-iterate: The game lives in the steamapps/common folder The appmanifest file lives in the steamapps folder
I should include an update in my post about what I recommended: If you've saved the game, based on what occurred since then, Steam might just dismiss it and re-download. Or at least, it seems likely to do so. I saw this with my archived version of DOOM, which was saved before the Denuvo removal patch. Steam will still attempt the first-time installation if you move the game to a different PC. It might even try again on the same machine since it thinks "wait, the file isn't where it should be, clearly it was reinstalled."
Just completed this recently and it’s straightforward:
1. Navigate to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders to find the files named "Steam library."
2. Begin downloading the game for a short time so Steam creates a dedicated folder for that title within the library.
3. Stop the download, return to the Steam Library folders, and remove all contents from that specific game.
4. Transfer the previously saved game data into the newly cleared folder.
5. After copying, re-download the game and verify the file path matches the original "Steam Library Folders" location. Steam will automatically detect missing files and update them. Simple and efficient 100%.
It's confusing, but creating a new game folder in Steam and moving the installer works smoothly. Just click install and it should locate the file in the new place. No need to copy anything else.