Where do download files go?

[janssenp]

When you buy a game on Steam and download it where do the files go? Are these files loaded onto your machine so if things go wrong you can re-install them without having to go through that long process of having to download and installing the game all over again. Just this week I have had to do this and my monthly usage has gone through the roof. I only have 50gb monthly download usage with my ISP and so far this month I have used over 100gb. Surely there is another way of doing this? If you know please help me. Thanks in advance for your help.

[sockie82]

64 bit windows OS: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common
32 bit windows OS: C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common

Not sure on Mac/Linux as I don't own either.

Before you redownloaded everythign did you verify cache?
I also back up my steam apps folder once a week, to an extrenal drive, just incase anything goes wrong. It saves me having to redownload everythign as you just did.

Hope it helps :)

[Nerevars Goat Univeron]

They go to the spirit in the sky.
But no, they go in Stean/SteamApps/Common/Xcom, or SteamLibrary/Common/Xcom

[janssenp]

Thanks. Sorry - running win 8, 64 bit.
Not sure what you mean about "verify cache" I checked the folder C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common but cannot find any mention of a exe file or setup EU file. Please have patience as I am only new at this. Do you mean that once you have downloaded the game it is on your hard drive and you do not have to download it again?
Also with the backing up of the apps folder does that include the 3 sub-folders plus the one file (common,downloading,sourcemods & file: appmanifest_200510.acf?)
I hope you will take the time to explain as I am very appreciative of your help.

[sockie82]

I backup the SteamApps folder, and everything in it.
To veify game cache, right click on the game in your library, go to properties, then click on local files, and click verify integrity of game cach. It will run a check (takes me about 4 minutes for XCOM) and download any corrupt/missing files, but not the whole game again.

As for the game files location, when you go into C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common it is just game files. The exe. as far as I know, is a web based icon linked to the steam client. I think they are stored in your roaming folder somewhere but not 100% sure on that, as I have never had to go find them, or use them

Edited as my spelling was atrocious (is that spelt right?)

[janssenp]

Mate, I don't care about your spelling as I can read and understand you. Mine is not so good either. LOL Have done what you advised and all is good. The only exe file that related to EW was exe to commence Steam One last quest. If I need to re-install EW I do not need to download EW from Steam again?

[sockie82]

I have only ever had one occasion so far, to use my back up of SteamApps folder, and I didn't have to download any games again, just a few updates that had to be redone. As long as you keep the backup folder safe, all should be good.

[Doc]

64 bit windows OS: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common