Will steam let me use one external hard drive on two computers?

[Win2000Fan]

I want to buy one of these small external hard drives and download my steam games into it. Can I share this one hard drive between my two computers? Both computers are Windows computers. Will steam allow this? Thank you.

[👓 Death Machine]

Could you clarify it furthermore?

[Knavenformed]

Why wouldn't it?
Those work exactly like copying files to memory cards etc, just bigger.

I'm not exactly sure if you can create a download directory on an external HDD but you should be able to copy the game files on it.

Also you .ini will most likely reset on each computer so you need to tweak those again if you do (Games like Fallout New Vegas need some user end fixing for things)

[Snapjak]

I wouldn't use it to play games off of on both, but storage/transfer is fine.

[craigal]

I am running games ok off an external HD. Just make sure you are using a fast USB port. USB 3 is best if you can.

Also make sure that the drive is connected to the computer before steam is started so it will find the library.

The issue may be if you update a games on one computer then use the drive on another. I do not know if the other computer will register the upgrade.

[Satoru]

steam desont support games on extertnal drives and you will likely run into common problems such as games being shown as uninstalled or other problems

[Win2000Fan]

This is one those new tiny 2.0 TB usb 3.1 hd. I am thinking it would be handy as I could load Steam into this one hd and then plug into either of my computers. I can not see how it would not work unless Steam security will not allow it.

[Snapjak]

You may run into issues with saves/configs/maps/whatever since they probably won't be on the external itself. Plus some externals like to shut down when not in use so that may disconnect and screw up things.

In general, not recommended but you can certainly give it a go.

[Gummiel]

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[Win2000Fan]

Originally posted by Snapjak:

You may run into issues with saves/configs/maps/whatever since they probably won't be on the external itself. Plus some externals like to shut down when not in use so that may disconnect and screw up things.

In general, not recommended but you can certainly give it a go.

Like you said, "give it a go" and see what happens. Make sure to back everything in steam up first. There seems to be no clear answer. Thanks.