New PC games and launcher on external hdd

[Di_ver_gent]

I just got a new PC. All my steam games are on an external HDD and I play them on the external HDD.

How do I get new PC to detect the games?

[BADSPistawful]

Try starting 1 from the executable in the games folder.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

1. Install steam on your hard drive, like on C:\steam\ (Download steam executable OR move the launcher)
2. Verify this folder exist in your steam installation: /steam/steamapps/common/
3. Move all games to this common from your hard drive to your steam installation
4. Select all the games you want to install from within your steam library (HOLD CTRL and click each game > rightclick > install) (example : https://i.imgur.com/LflOP4F.gifv )
5. If correct, all games should 'discover' existing content.

If you created backups with the backup feature, go here :
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8794-yphv-2033

Reference :
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

[Di_ver_gent]

Steam is also on the external. So I need to download it again?? I want to keep games and launcher on external..

[ᴠᴀʀ]

Originally posted by Di_ver_gent:

Steam is also on the external. So I need to download it again?? I want to keep games and launcher on external..

If you just copied the entire steam folder (complete), just move the entire folder to your PC and launch steam.exe. It's not recommended to run it from external drive.

[Supafly]

Originally posted by Di_ver_gent:

Steam is also on the external. So I need to download it again?? I want to keep games and launcher on external..

You can keep them there but using external drives is not recommended as they can disconnect and reconnect without notification. Even if Steam was on your C: drive if/when this happens it can screw with Steams recognition of games on the External drive.

[Di_ver_gent]

Really??? I've been playing them on external for two years. Zero issues... Just trying to figure out how to get new PC to see the games and automatically create icons...

[ᴠᴀʀ]

If you leave the external 24/7 connected, there would be less issues yeah. But the point of having an external disk is mobility. So if you unplug and add / remove other externals or create new disk partition, the partition drive letter may get changed. Also, USB performance < SATA performance. Unless you play very light games, triple AAA games surely could cause performance issues.

And I just explained to you how. Just move the entire folder to your drive on your PC.

[Supafly]

Then you've been lucky. Not all drives stay connected all the time. Even those that appear ok may have micro disconnects/reconnects. Steam won't always detect or have issues.

Well since Steam and all your games are on the external drive I assume Steam aleady has a library folder selected and can access the games? if so just locate the
Steam.exe > Right click
Then either
click Send to desktop (create shortcut) and a shortcut shold appear on your desktop
or
click Create shortcut and then drag and drop the newly created Steam.exe shortcut onto your Desktop

If you like to launch games from their own Desktop shortcut repeat the same process


If Steam doesn't have a library folder on your External drive

Locate you games folder....lets say
E:\Games\Steamapps
rename it to
E:\Games\Steamapps_old and keep that window open.
Load Steam
Click Steam (At top) > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add library Folder > enter E:\Games\Steamapps
Exit Steam
Delete the newly created E:\Games\Steamapps folder
Rename E:\Games\Steamapps)old to E:\Games\Steamapps
Load Steam

As you have a new PC I'd recommend Verifying all games before you play them as some may need to reinstall/configure correctly. You can skip this step but will likely get performance issues in some games.