Copy friend's steam game that i also own

[Avenger XII]

Hi, just been wondering, is it possible to copy from friend's steam game then I transfer those files to my PC, but I bought the same game, reason y I ask becuz, steam downloading has been wacky lately so is it possible to use a USB to copy friend's steam game that we both own to my PC so I can play the same game?

[Jaunitta 🌸]

No problem. As you have the key anyway it will register to your game. A bit like sharing saves I guess :)
The acf files is what registers that game

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Don't forget, you need the associated appmanifest (acf) file along with it.

It is in the Steamapps folder.

[Avenger XII]

The game that is acquired to be copied which is Rainbow Six Siege, which is about 60 GB, I bought bout a week ago, the steam has been wacky lately when it comes to downloading, but my friend has Bell MTS, so downloading just being rly bad rn, but will try the experiment at least

[ReBoot]

Transfer it using Steam's own backup function.

[Avenger XII]

thanks y'all I'll experiment with this matter later on thanks for answering

[Charged Dreamer]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Don't forget, you need the associated appmanifest (acf) file along with it.

It is in the Steamapps folder.

Not really needed mate...Just copy pasting the game folders to Steam/steamapps/common works. After hitting the Install button on Steam, it automatically discovers all the files and make it ready to play. If some files go missing Steam automatically updates them.

[CORBINLORD]

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Don't forget, you need the associated appmanifest (acf) file along with it.

It is in the Steamapps folder.

If he just copies the program files and runs it connected to steam [and he does actually own the game], I think steam will place the correct files where it needs them...am I right?

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by CORBINLORD:

Originally posted by cSg|mc-Hotsauce:

Don't forget, you need the associated appmanifest (acf) file along with it.

It is in the Steamapps folder.

:qr:

If he just copies the program files and runs it connected to steam [and he does actually own the game], I think steam will place the correct files where it needs them...am I right?

Not this way, no.

[DarkMachine]

You need to copy BOTH the app manifest (.acf) at Steam > steamapps and the actual data file of the game it's self which is located in the Steam > steamapps > common directory folder. Without both files present your Steam client will not recognize the copy of the backup. This is very much the surefire way to get your backup from one different machine to another.

[Charged Dreamer]

Originally posted by DarkMachine:

You need to copy BOTH the app manifest (.acf) at Steam > steamapps and the actual data file of the game it's self which is located in the Steam > steamapps > common directory folder. Without both files present your Steam client will not recognize the copy of the backup. This is very much the surefire way to get your backup from one different machine to another.

app manifest not required. Been using this method since years now. Last used last week after shifting games to my laptop.

[SenMithrarin85]

Originally posted by Yash:

Originally posted by DarkMachine:

You need to copy BOTH the app manifest (.acf) at Steam > steamapps and the actual data file of the game it's self which is located in the Steam > steamapps > common directory folder. Without both files present your Steam client will not recognize the copy of the backup. This is very much the surefire way to get your backup from one different machine to another.

app manifest not required. Been using this method since years now. Last used last week after shifting games to my laptop.

true. placing them into the steamapps/common and then clicking "install" will start a file discovery and make the game playable. appmanifest is not needed.

the only time it is, is when your total free drive space is smaller than the game you want to install this way. Example: middle earth shadow of war is 109gb. this means that if you have 150gb of space free, and copy the files from somewhere else, as far as steam is concerned you only have 50gb free. it will then refuse to detect the game files. you would need 220gb space free in total to do it this way.