Installing Steam Games to a USB

[dan Slop]

How can I download a Steam Game to a USB without having to delete and reinstall the game

[Cassidy]

Go to your Steam folder, SteamApps > common > folder of the game

Copy that folder to your USB.

[Glimmer]

To run the game off a drive, you'll need to create a Library folder on the drive
Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder

It's highly recommended to not do this as you may run into performance issues. There's also a few complications associated with disconnecting the drive, so best to not do that if you insist on using a USB drive for Steam.

[tacoshy]

Originally posted by Glimmer:

To run the game off a drive, you'll need to create a Library folder on the drive
Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder

It's highly recommended to not do this as you may run into performance issues. There's also a few complications associated with disconnecting the drive, so best to not do that if you insist on using a USB drive for Steam.

There no complication. Steam does not recommend that as they simply don't want to explain how to properly do this.

Most ppl just try to use slow USB flash drives or slow 2.5" 5400RPM drives which cause most of the issue especially with USB 2.0. If you build your own USB drives with 3.5" 7200RPM drives and an USB 3.0 or 3.1 encasing you have a drive just as fast and reliable then any other drive. You even can run SSD's just fine.

USB has a higher bandwidth then SATA III -> USB is not the issue just the way most ppl using it.

[dan Slop]

Originally posted by The Bloody Empress:

Go to your Steam folder, SteamApps > common > folder of the game

Copy that folder to your USB.

Can you explain how to do that please?

[Snapjak]

Originally posted by KaEdKi:

Originally posted by The Bloody Empress:

Go to your Steam folder, SteamApps > common > folder of the game

Copy that folder to your USB.

Can you explain how to do that please?

Do this first:

Originally posted by Glimmer:

To run the game off a drive, you'll need to create a Library folder on the drive
Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder

Then right-click the game in your library > properties > local files > move install

[MarbleFireDiamond]

Originally posted by KaEdKi:

Originally posted by The Bloody Empress:

Go to your Steam folder, SteamApps > common > folder of the game

Copy that folder to your USB.

Can you explain how to do that please?

Note: I use a Windows PC, so I cannot provide help with Mac or Linux. Apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.

1. Go to the "This PC" (or similar) tab in Explorer.
2. Go to the main hard drive----> Program Files (x86)----> Steam----> steamapps----> common---->"game".

[wuddih]

Originally posted by tacoshy:

There no complication.

any device that is connected over external i/o can be powered off on idle by the os or firmware of the device. if that drops the mounting for the storage device or the drive is not mounted on Steam start/close, Steam can and will lose information for that library path.

has nothing to do with the speed of device or the i/o being used.

[dan Slop]

Originally posted by Snapjak:

Originally posted by KaEdKi:

Can you explain how to do that please?

Do this first:

Originally posted by Glimmer:

To run the game off a drive, you'll need to create a Library folder on the drive
Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder

Then right-click the game in your library > properties > local files > move install

I thought of that, but doesn't that remove the game from my laptop storage?

[Snapjak]

It moves it. You asked to install to USB, that does that.

Or do you simply want a backup, which is a different thing.

[dan Slop]

Originally posted by Snapjak:

It moves it. You asked to install to USB, that does that.

Or do you simply want a backup, which is a different thing.

Yes, I'd like a backup. How can I do that? Thanks for going with me with this, by the way.

[󠀡]

I hope its a cheap usb because all that constant reading the drive will shorten its life

[dan Slop]

Originally posted by 󠀡:

I hope its a cheap usb because all that constant reading the drive will shorten its life

Well, it's a USB 2.0, and I've also got Windows on it.

[MysticalPond37]

i just want to use a USB and have the game on it, is there any way for me to play by having the usb plugged in instead of needing to constantly change which games are installed on my computer? also a youtube video of how to do this if it is possible would be amazing.

if anyone gives me a fix that works i will give them a take my points award

[Snivy]

Originally posted by MysticalPond37:

i just want to use a USB and have the game on it, is there any way for me to play by having the usb plugged in instead of needing to constantly change which games are installed on my computer? also a youtube video of how to do this if it is possible would be amazing.

if anyone gives me a fix that works i will give them a take my points award

Could have a created your own thread instead of digging a 6 YEARS old thread.

I also wouldn't recommend running games off an USB stick/hard drive. Just upgrade your PC with an additional SSD.

[MysticalPond37]

Originally posted by Snivy:

Originally posted by MysticalPond37:

i just want to use a USB and have the game on it, is there any way for me to play by having the usb plugged in instead of needing to constantly change which games are installed on my computer? also a youtube video of how to do this if it is possible would be amazing.

if anyone gives me a fix that works i will give them a take my points award

Could have a created your own thread instead of digging a 6 YEARS old thread.

I also wouldn't recommend running games off an USB stick/hard drive. Just upgrade your PC with an additional SSD.

yes i went to a local store and i asked the staff and they told me it wouldnt work so if i wanted them to sell me extra storage they would only do it in a way that worked because they didnt want to just take my money