Using an older game folder after installing a new Windows version
Using an older game folder after installing a new Windows version
It's generally safe to use existing game directories in a dedicated Game Library after reinstalling Windows 10. Package updates like Net Framework or DirectX should not continue installing automatically, so you shouldn't worry about them interfering with your games.
I don’t reinstall the Steam library myself, nor do I use Ubisoft, Epic, or EA Origin. I keep them on my second hard drive. When I reinstall Windows, I just add the folder back to the library folder in each store. Keep in mind that for a specific game you might need to reinstall it if it wasn’t included in a store like the ones I mentioned.
These changes apply to Windows systems and will be handled through the Update feature, not directly within the games themselves.
Occasionally, when setting up a game, it triggers a Direct X update.
This feature applies to Windows files rather than the game itself, occurring even with a standard Windows setup. It typically serves as a confirmation step rather than a full installation process.
It might, but you’ll be all right. I’ve handled it several times before. That’s why I use different SSD configurations in my setup.
It's true that games can be over 100 gigabytes, making it hard to re-download them repeatedly.
When working with Steam, Origin, or similar clients, the initial installation usually handles the required dependencies automatically.