Yes, you can absolutely install Steam games on an external hard drive.
Running out of space on your computer’s main drive? Many gamers wonder, can i install steam games on an external hard drive? The answer is a resounding yes, and it’s actually quite simple. This is a great way to manage your growing game library without having to upgrade your internal storage. It also lets you quickly move games to a different computer if you need to. You will just need to choose the external drive as your install location.
Can I Install Steam Games on an External Hard Drive?
Let’s dive right into it. The short answer is a resounding yes! You absolutely can install your Steam games on an external hard drive. This is great news if your computer’s main drive is getting full or if you want to easily move your game library between different computers. However, there’s more to it than just plugging in a drive and clicking “install.” We need to understand the process, potential challenges, and how to make sure you have the best gaming experience. Let’s explore all the ins and outs of using an external drive for your Steam games.
Why Use an External Hard Drive for Steam Games?
Before we get into how to do it, let’s talk about why you might want to. There are several really good reasons to use an external hard drive for your games:
Running Out of Space on Your Main Drive
This is probably the most common reason. Modern games take up a lot of space. Think about it – games can easily be 50GB, 100GB, or even more! Your computer’s main hard drive, especially if it’s a solid-state drive (SSD), can fill up fast. An external drive offers a simple way to add extra storage without needing to crack open your computer.
Portability and Flexibility
Imagine you have a gaming desktop at home and a gaming laptop you use when you travel. An external drive lets you easily take your entire game library with you. No more downloading the same games again and again. You can just plug the drive into any compatible computer and start playing. This flexibility is a real game-changer for gamers on the go.
Keeping Games Separate From Your Operating System
Some people like the idea of keeping their operating system and programs on one drive, and their games on a separate drive. This can make things feel more organized. If something goes wrong with your OS, your games are still safe. It’s like keeping your toys in a different box than your school supplies.
Slightly Cheaper Storage Solution
While internal SSDs provide the best speeds, they can also be pricey. External hard drives, especially mechanical ones (HDDs), are often cheaper per gigabyte. If you’re on a budget or need lots of storage, an external HDD can be a more affordable way to expand your game library. It’s a budget-friendly alternative for bigger libraries.
Types of External Hard Drives
Not all external hard drives are created equal. The type of drive you use can affect how quickly your games load and run. Here’s a quick look at the most common types:
External Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)
These are the traditional spinning platter hard drives. They are generally cheaper and offer lots of storage for the money. However, they are also slower than SSDs. This means games will take longer to load, and you might see some hiccups during gameplay. Think of them like a reliable but slower car.
External Solid State Drives (SSDs)
SSDs use flash memory and have no moving parts, making them much faster than HDDs. Games on an external SSD will load much quicker, and you’ll experience smoother gameplay overall. However, SSDs are usually more expensive. They’re like a race car – fast and powerful but costlier.
How the Connection Type Affects Speed
The speed at which your external drive connects to your computer also matters. The most common connection types are:
- USB 3.0 (or USB 3.1 Gen 1): This is a decent, commonly found connection that can support good transfer speeds. It’s a good standard for most people.
- USB 3.1 Gen 2 (or USB 3.2 Gen 2): This offers even faster transfer speeds than USB 3.0, leading to quicker game loading.
- USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 (or USB4):This is the fastest USB type available for most users, offering the best performance for external drives.
- Thunderbolt: Thunderbolt connections are very fast but often found on higher-end devices. They provide excellent speeds, especially for external SSDs.
Make sure your computer and external drive both support the same connection standard to get the best possible speeds. Slower connections can mean slower loading times.
Setting Up Steam to Use an External Hard Drive
Okay, now let’s get to the practical stuff. Here’s how to set up your external drive for Steam games:
Connecting Your External Hard Drive
First things first, plug your external drive into your computer. Windows or macOS should detect it automatically. If it doesn’t, try a different USB port or check the drive’s power adapter.
Formatting Your External Hard Drive
Formatting your external hard drive ensures it’s ready for use. You can do this through your operating system’s disk management tools. It will erase any data on the drive, so be sure to back up any files you want to keep before you start. Here are the usual ways to format your drives.
Windows
- Search for “Disk Management” in the Windows search bar.
- Find your external drive in the list.
- Right-click on the drive and select “Format.”
- Choose a file system. NTFS is recommended for Windows.
- Click “Start” to format the drive.
macOS
- Open “Disk Utility” from your Applications/Utilities folder.
- Select your external drive from the list.
- Click the “Erase” button.
- Choose a name, format (APFS or ExFAT are good options), and click “Erase.”
Adding a Steam Library Folder on Your External Drive
Now, you need to tell Steam where to store your games. This is done by adding a new Steam Library folder on your external drive:
- Open Steam.
- Go to Steam > Settings (or Preferences on a Mac).
- Click on “Downloads”.
- Click on the “Steam Library Folders” button.
- Click the “Add Library Folder” button.
- Select your external drive. Then, create a new folder, such as “Steam Games.”
- Click “Select Folder”.
- Now the new Library folder will be shown on Steam Library Folders settings.
- Click “Close”.
After creating a new folder you’ll see the folder added to your Steam library folders list.
Installing Games on Your External Drive
When you install a game, Steam will ask you which library folder you want to use. Choose the folder you created on your external drive. From this point onward, all new games will install in this new location until you change it, that is how you install games on an external hard drive. You can choose a different location during game installation if you want.
Moving Existing Steam Games to the External Drive
If you already have games installed, you can move them to your external drive without downloading them again. Here’s how:
- Open Steam
- Go to your game library.
- Right-click on the game you want to move.
- Go to “Properties”.
- Select the “Installed Files” tab.
- Click the “Move Install Folder…” button.
- Select the library on your external hard drive.
- Click on “Move Folder”.
Steam will move the game files to the new location. This is generally quicker than re-downloading everything.
Potential Issues and How to Fix Them
While using an external drive for games is usually straightforward, you might run into some issues. Here are a few things to watch out for:
Slow Loading Times
If you’re using an external HDD, your load times will be slower than if you were using an internal SSD. This is normal. If you are using an external SSD on a USB 2.0 or 3.0 port, the speed can also be limited. Use your drive on a USB 3.1 Gen 2 or greater port if possible. You can also consider using a good quality USB cable.
Game Stuttering or Lag
Sometimes, the speed of the connection between the hard drive and your computer can cause some game stuttering or lag. You may need to use a USB 3.1 or a higher port and cable to reduce these issues if you are using an external SSD.
Drive Disconnections
External drives can disconnect if the cable is loose or if the drive isn’t getting enough power. Try using a different USB cable and making sure the drive has its own power source. Some external hard drives need a separate power adapter.
File System Errors
Sometimes external hard drive file system may have errors. These errors can be resolved using your operating system’s check disk utility.
Windows
- Open File Explorer.
- Right-click on your external drive.
- Go to “Properties”.
- Select the “Tools” tab.
- Click “Check” to scan for disk errors and resolve them.
macOS
- Open Disk Utility from your applications/utilities folder.
- Select your external drive from the list.
- Click the “First Aid” button to check for and fix any problems.
Steam Not Recognizing the Drive
If Steam doesn’t see your external drive, you may need to double-check the formatting. If that does not work, try restarting your computer, and also try re-plugging the drive into another port. Sometimes, it may be due to the faulty drive or cable itself.
Drive Letter Changes
In Windows, the external drive letter can sometimes change. This can cause Steam to lose track of your games. Go to Windows disk management, right click on the drive, and change the drive letter to something that is not used by another drive. And make sure it does not get changed automatically.
Tips for a Smooth Experience
Here are a few extra tips to make your gaming experience on an external drive as good as possible:
- Use an SSD if you can: An external SSD will dramatically improve load times and overall performance, although it will cost a bit more.
- Use a good quality cable: A high-quality cable will ensure a stable connection.
- Regularly check for updates: Make sure your computer, drivers, and Steam are all up-to-date.
- Keep your drive healthy: Don’t unplug your drive while it’s being used. Eject it properly to keep your drive from getting file system errors.
- Organize your games: Create separate folders for different types of games. This can help you organize games in a better way.
Installing Steam games on an external hard drive is a practical solution for many gamers. It allows you to carry your game library with you and frees up space on your main computer drive. By understanding the benefits, types of drives, and potential issues, you can enjoy a great gaming experience using an external drive.
How to Play Steam Games from an External SSD & HDD
Final Thoughts
Yes, you absolutely can install steam games on an external hard drive. This offers more storage space, especially if your internal drive is full.
It’s a simple process within the Steam settings. You can choose the external drive during installation. This is a great way to manage your game library.
Therefore, the answer to “can i install steam games on an external hard drive” is a resounding yes. Enjoy your expanded gaming collection!
