Can I Install Steam Games On External Hard Drive

Can I Install Steam Games on an External Hard Drive?

So, you’re running out of space on your computer? You’ve got all those cool Steam games, and they’re starting to take over! The good news is, you absolutely can install your Steam games on an external hard drive. It’s a great way to free up space on your main computer drive and keep your game library growing. Let’s dive into how it works and everything you need to know.

Why Install Steam Games on an External Drive?

There are many good reasons why you might want to put your games on an external hard drive. Here are a few common situations:

• Running out of space: This is the big one! Modern games can be huge, often taking up 50GB or more. If your computer’s main drive is getting full, an external drive is a lifesaver.
• Portability: Imagine you want to play your games at a friend’s house. With an external drive, you can just unplug it from your computer and plug it into another computer with Steam, making your game library portable.
• Organizing your storage: Some people like to keep their games separate from their other files. An external drive can help you keep things organized.
• Faster loading times: If you use an external SSD (Solid State Drive), you might actually see your games load faster than if they were on a slower traditional hard drive.

Types of External Drives for Steam Games

Not all external drives are created equal. Let’s take a look at the different types you can use for your Steam games:

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs)

These are the traditional spinning disk drives. They are usually cheaper and come in large sizes, but they can be slower than other options.

• Pros: Cheaper per gigabyte, available in large capacities.
• Cons: Slower loading times, potentially more prone to damage due to moving parts.

Solid State Drives (SSDs)

SSDs are faster and more durable, as they don’t have moving parts. They are generally more expensive per gigabyte than HDDs, but for gaming, the speed boost is worthwhile.

• Pros: Much faster loading times, more durable, faster game installations.
• Cons: More expensive per gigabyte, usually smaller capacities.

NVMe External SSDs

These are the kings of speed. NVMe external SSDs use a special interface that allows data to travel much quicker than traditional SSDs, which can make your games load very, very fast. They are the most expensive but provide the best performance if your computer supports them.

• Pros: Extremely fast loading times, best possible performance.
• Cons: Most expensive, not always supported by older computers, can be small capacities.

Choosing the Right External Drive

When picking an external drive for your games, think about these things:

• Speed: How fast you want your games to load. An SSD is always recommended over an HDD for faster performance.
• Capacity: How many games do you want to install? Check the game sizes you plan to install and choose the drive accordingly. Don’t forget operating system and game updates also take some space.
• Price: What’s your budget? SSDs are usually more expensive per gigabyte compared to HDDs.
• Connectivity: Most external drives use USB, but the USB version matters. USB 3.0 and higher are important for decent speed. Look for USB 3.1, USB 3.2 Gen 2 or USB-C with Thunderbolt for the best possible speeds.
• Size: Do you need a portable drive that you can move around easily? or are you looking for big storage space.

Here’s a simple table to help you decide:

How to Install Steam Games on an External Drive

Okay, let’s get to the exciting part: actually installing your games! It’s not hard, but there are a few things you need to know.

Connecting Your External Drive

First, plug your external drive into your computer using the correct USB cable. Make sure that you connect it to the high-speed port like USB 3.0 or higher, most computers now comes with USB 3.0 or higher. Your operating system should recognize it automatically.

Creating a Steam Library Folder on the External Drive

Now you need to tell Steam where to install your games on the new drive.

1. Open Steam.
2. Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the Steam window and then “Settings” from the drop-down menu.
3. Select the “Downloads” tab.
4. Click the “Steam Library Folders” button.
5. Click the “Add Library Folder” button.
6. A new window will appear. Click on the “+” button or “New Folder”.
7. Navigate to your external drive from file explorer and select the path where you want your Steam games to install and then click “Select”.
8. You should see that your new folder path is showing in the main window now, then close the Library Folders screen.

Installing Games on Your External Drive

Once you’ve set up your library folder, you can now install your games there.

1. Go to your Steam library.
2. Choose the game you want to install, then click the “Install” button.
3. In the install dialog box, you’ll see a drop-down menu labeled “Choose location for install…”. Click on it and select the library folder you just created on your external drive.
4. Click the “Install” button to begin.

Moving Already Installed Games to the External Drive

What if you’ve already installed games on your computer’s main drive? Don’t worry, you can move them!

1. In Steam, go to your Library and right-click on the game you want to move.
2. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
3. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click the “Move Install Folder” button.
5. A new window will pop up where you will select the library folder you created on your external hard drive.
6. Click “Move Folder” to start moving the game files.
7. Wait for Steam to move the game. This might take a while depending on the size of the game, external drive speed and your computer’s specs.

Tips for Using External Drives with Steam Games

Here are some extra tips to make your external drive gaming experience smoother:

• Keep it connected: For seamless game play, always make sure your external drive is connected to your computer before launching your games. If the drive disconnects while playing, you may lose your progress.
• Don’t disconnect while in use: Never unplug your external drive while Steam is running games or accessing data. This can lead to file corruption. Always exit the game and Steam before unplugging the drive.
• Use a good quality cable: Make sure you’re using a good quality USB cable that is compatible with your external drive. A bad cable can lead to slow speeds or disconnects.
• Drive health: Check your external drive’s health regularly. You can use the drive manufacturer’s software or Windows built-in utilities to check for errors.
• Properly eject the drive: Always safely eject your external drive through Windows by clicking on the “Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media” icon in your taskbar before unplugging it.
• Don’t overfill: It’s best not to fill your external drive completely. Leaving some free space can help with performance.

Potential Issues and Solutions

Sometimes things might not go perfectly. Here are some common issues you might encounter and how to fix them.

Slow Loading Times

• Problem: Your games are loading really slowly.
• Solution: Make sure you are using a good-quality USB cable and have connected your external drive to the correct USB ports which support higher speeds like USB 3.0 or higher. Also, the problem may be caused by using an HDD instead of an SSD. If using an HDD, an SSD could make a big difference in load times.

Game not launching

• Problem: When you click the “Play” button, the game will not launch.
• Solution: Double-check if your external hard drive is plugged in correctly and your computer is recognising it. Make sure Steam is also pointing to the correct location for your game files. Sometimes restarting Steam or your computer also does the trick.

Steam not detecting external hard drive

• Problem: Steam can’t see your external drive or it can’t be selected as a location for your Steam Library folder.
• Solution: Make sure your external drive is formatted correctly. For Windows, you can use NTFS format. Also, check your drivers for any issues. Reinstalling your drive might fix the problem.

Game Crashes

• Problem: Games crash or don’t run smoothly when installed on an external drive.
• Solution: Usually game crashes when they are installed on an external drive, are due to slow speed or unstable connections. Using an SSD instead of an HDD will surely help a lot. Make sure your cable is good. Also make sure the external drive is connected to the high-speed port of your computer. Try closing any other programs you are not using which will reduce the load on your computer.

Installing Steam games on an external hard drive is a great way to manage your storage and make your game library portable. With a little setup and these tips, you can enjoy your games without filling up your computer’s main drive. Always consider your budget, the type of drive, speed, capacity, and connection quality to ensure you have a fantastic gaming experience.