To install Steam games outside of Program Files, create a new Steam library folder in your desired location through Steam’s settings.
Many of us run into the issue of limited space in our primary drive, where Steam usually installs games. This often leads to frustration when we want to add more to our collection. The good news is you can change where Steam puts your games! Learning how to install Steam games outside of program files opens up options.
It’s easier than you think to choose a different location. Steam allows you to designate specific folders as game libraries.
This allows you to use space on other drives, like a dedicated gaming SSD. We will guide you through the simple steps to set up additional library folders. Then, you will be able to install games in those locations moving forward.
How to Install Steam Games Outside of Program Files
Hey there, fellow gamers! Have you ever felt like your computer’s ‘Program Files’ folder is getting a little too crowded? It’s like trying to fit all your toys into one tiny box! Well, good news – you don’t have to keep all your Steam games crammed into that one spot. You can actually install them on a different hard drive or even a different part of the same drive! This is super helpful if your main drive, where Windows is installed, is running out of space or if you just want to keep your games organized separately. Let’s explore how you can move your games to a new home and keep your digital library nice and tidy.
Why Install Games Outside of the Program Files?
Before we dive into the ‘how,’ let’s talk about the ‘why.’ Why would you even want to install Steam games outside of the usual ‘Program Files’ location? Well, there are several good reasons:
Space Management
The most common reason is to free up space on your primary hard drive (usually the C: drive). If you have a smaller solid-state drive (SSD) as your main drive, it can fill up very quickly with Windows, programs, and games. Installing games on a larger, secondary drive (like a D:, E:, or even an external hard drive) can keep your main drive running smoothly and prevent those annoying “low disk space” messages. This allows your operating system to run efficiently and your computer to perform better.
Performance
Sometimes, if you have a fast SSD where your operating system is installed, having games on a secondary HDD can lead to longer loading times. It’s advisable to install games on another SSD, if you have one. Moving games to a different hard drive can also avoid potential performance conflicts if you use the same drive for various tasks. Imagine it like this: if your whole family is trying to use the same bathroom all at once, things will get slowed down. Similarly, having everything on the same drive can sometimes cause your PC to be slow.
Organization
Keeping your games separate from your other applications can make it easier to manage. This is like having a separate toy chest for all your games – you know where everything is, and it’s not mixed up with your school supplies! Also, if you ever need to backup your games, it can be easier to copy them from a dedicated location. This also means that if something goes wrong with your main drive, you will still have your games in another secure location.
Creating a New Steam Library Folder
Alright, let’s get to the main event! The first thing we need to do is tell Steam where we want our new game storage location to be. Here’s how:
- Open Steam: Start by opening the Steam application on your computer.
- Go to Settings: In the upper left-hand corner of the Steam window, click on ‘Steam’ and select ‘Settings’.
- Navigate to Downloads: In the settings window, click on the ‘Downloads’ tab on the left-hand side.
- Find Steam Library Folders: You’ll see a button that says ‘Steam Library Folders’. Click on it. This will open a new window to manage your Steam libraries.
- Add a New Library Folder: In the new window, click on the ‘Add Library Folder’ button. A window will appear asking where you would like to add a new library location. Navigate to the drive or folder where you would like to create the new library location.
For Example: if you wanted to create a ‘Steam Games’ folder on your D: drive, you can navigate to your D: drive, then click on the ‘new folder’ button to create a ‘Steam Games’ folder, and then select that folder. Once you’ve selected the folder, Steam will recognize this as a new location to store games.
- Confirm and Close: Once you select the new folder, click on ‘Select’ or ‘OK’ (the exact wording may vary). You’ll see the new folder added to the list of Steam library folders. Now close the ‘Storage Manager’ window.
Now you have a new place to install your games. It’s like having a new room in your house dedicated just for your games.
Moving Existing Games to the New Location
Now that you have your new game storage spot all set up, you might be wondering how you can move your current games over there without having to redownload each one. Good news! Steam makes this process pretty simple. Here’s how you do it:
Using Steam’s Built-in Move Function
- Open Steam: Launch the Steam client on your computer.
- Go to your Library: Click on ‘Library’ at the top of the Steam window to see all of your games.
- Find the Game you want to move: Locate the game you wish to move from your game list. Right-click the game’s name.
- Select Properties: In the right-click menu, select ‘Properties’. This opens a new window with details about the game.
- Go to Local Files Tab: In the properties window, navigate to the “Local Files” tab.
- Choose ‘Move Install Folder’: Click on the button that says ‘Move Install Folder’.
- Select the New Library: A new window will pop up where you can choose the new location for your game. Select your newly created Steam Library folder where you want to move your game, then press the ‘Move Folder’ button.
Steam will now move all the files for that game to the new location. Depending on how big the game is, this may take a few minutes to several hours. You can watch the progress bar at the bottom of the Steam window to see how it is coming along. It will show you how much of the game data is moved and how much time it has left.
- Repeat for More Games: You can repeat these steps for all the other games you want to move to the new location.
That’s all there is to it! You have now learned how to move your installed games to another location on your computer using the simple procedure from the Steam platform. Now all your games are in the right location.
Important Things to Know About Moving Games
- Moving Takes Time: Moving games can take a bit of time, especially big ones. Be patient and let Steam do its job.
- No Need to Redownload: The good part is, you’re not actually re-downloading the game data, instead you are moving the game files to another directory. This means you don’t have to use up your precious internet data all over again.
- Game Files Must Be Complete: Make sure the game files that you are about to move are complete and valid. If there is an issue with your game file, moving it to a new location won’t fix it, and can even lead to data corruption.
- Steam Client Must Be Running: Make sure that the Steam application is running in the background. If you try to close the Steam platform in the middle of a game transfer, then your move may be unsuccessful, or can even lead to data corruption.
Installing New Games to the New Location
Once you’ve set up your new Steam Library, any new games you install will, by default, be installed there! When you go to install a new game, just pay attention to the installation screen. You should see the folder where the game will be installed. Make sure it’s your new location. If not, you can change it by using the dropdown menu next to the location, and choosing the location you created earlier. Once you set this up, you don’t have to worry about this step again. All the games that you install from here on out, will be installed on that location.
Managing Multiple Library Locations
Sometimes, you might find yourself needing even more space than what a single new drive offers. Well, you are in luck, Steam lets you create as many library folders as you need! You can do this across multiple drives. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while having multiple locations:
Naming Your Libraries
When you are creating a new Steam library folder, give it a meaningful name. This will make it easier to tell which location you are choosing for your game install. Instead of a default name, like ‘New Volume D’ rename it to ‘Gaming SSD’. This will help you easily identify where the game is located.
Balancing Your Storage
Try to make a balance when you have multiple drives for installing Steam games. For example, you can install your favorite and frequently used games on the fastest drive (such as an SSD) and other less frequently played games on your regular HDD. This will allow you to make the most of your game storage and ensure optimum performance of your game play.
Checking Game Locations
You can always check where your games are installed. Just right-click the game in your library and select ‘Properties’, then head to the ‘Local Files’ tab and you can see the install location of the game. This is helpful if you ever want to know the location of the game for various reasons.
What to Do if Things Go Wrong
Even with all these good steps, sometimes you may experience issues. Here are some things that might go wrong, and how to get back on the right path:
Game Does Not Load
If you run into a case where a game is not loading after moving, verify game integrity of the game files by right clicking on the game, select ‘Properties’, then select ‘Local Files’ and then click ‘Verify integrity of game files’. Steam will then check the game files and fix any issues with the installation. This will usually take care of the issue in most cases.
Game Transfer is Stuck
If you see that your game is not getting transferred and is stuck for a long time, close the Steam application and open it again. Then attempt the move of the game again. Usually this will help complete the transfer without issues.
Can’t Add New Steam Library
If you are unable to add a new Steam library location, make sure that your drive is working correctly and that you have enough free space on that drive. Try closing and opening Steam. If this does not help, try restarting your computer and trying to add the new location again. If the issue is still not resolved, check for Steam updates and make sure you are using the most recent version. You can also try troubleshooting by restarting your modem and router to check if there are any connection issues, and this also may be resolved.
These are a few of the common issues that you may run into. If you have any additional issues, feel free to ask for assistance on the Steam community forums.
Moving your Steam games outside the ‘Program Files’ folder can really improve your gaming life. You’ll free up space on your main drive, organize your games better, and even help your computer run faster. It may seem daunting at first, but once you learn this simple procedure you will start using it to manage your game library with ease.
How to Move Steam Games & Libraries (2024)
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, moving your Steam library outside of the default Program Files location is straightforward. You can create a new library folder in Steam settings, then install new games directly there.
Doing this can improve performance or avoid issues with operating system permissions. This process explains how to install steam games outside of program files, and it’s beneficial for managing your storage. Select the desired library for each download.
