How to stop Steam from automatically adding back a broken library folder?

[sangreviento]

I have a failed SSD with a Steam library containing some games on it. The SSD failed in to read-only mode and I still have it installed to easily access stuff from it without pulling from a backup until I replace the drive.

Because the drive is read-only, the Steam games installed on it can't be updated or really played. Luckily Steam has a built in capability to remove a Library folder so I do this which seems to work. The problem is that then whenever I restart Steam or attempt to install one of the games which exist in that Library folder to another one Steam will automatically add back the folder from the broken drive which I previously removed.

How do I stop this from happening and remove a Steam Library folder permanently?

[ReBoot]

Close Steam, remove the SSD, start Steam.

[sangreviento]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Close Steam, remove the SSD, start Steam.

The problem is that I need the content of the drive, I don't want to have to physically uninstall it from my computer I just want Steam to stop adding it back automatically to use as a Library after I've removed it from the Storage Manager options.

[ReBoot]

Close Steam, remove the SSD, start Steam, mount the SSD back. I kinda assumed you'd append the 4th step yourself...

[sangreviento]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Close Steam, remove the SSD, start Steam, mount the SSD back. I kinda assumed you'd append the 4th step yourself...

I see.

Well this doesn't make any difference either I already tried doing so and it does the exact same thing. As soon as the drive is physically present again Steam starts adding it back.

[ReBoot]

Mount it under a different root (while Steam's not running).

[( ( < < <🤖> > > ) )]

I got this off google that sent me to the answer.microsoft page...
the question i asked google is...
- How to Disable a Hard drive without unplugging it physically?


1. Press Windows + X and select the Disk Manager option;
2. After loading all connected disks, right click on the HDD you want to disable and go to Properties;
3. Click on the Driver tab;
4. Click the Disable Device button.

This way the Disk will be disabled, even if it is physically connected.


not sure if this will work for SSD but it does give me the option to disable HDD

[Kroket]

Unfortunatley you have to delete the Steam directory from the drive, but if its read-only you probably can't. I'm commenting because this is STILL a problem that Steam continues to allow happen, super neat dude. When I manually delete the drive from your directory put some flag on that drive or whatever so you don't keep trying to use it dude.

[craigal]

Can you change the drive letter of the drive to something. Maybe pick Z: to distinguish it from your working disks

[Connie]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.