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zambeezi Dec 21, 2019 @ 6:09pm
Play from SSD but download to HDD.
I'm new to PC gaming and Steam but I am aware that you can change the download path to a second hdd. I would like to download to my storage drive but play from my SSD. How do I direct Steam to play from the SSD while keeping the download location on the second drive?

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Originally posted by Ogami:
Originally posted by zambeezi:
My SSD is a lot faster than the HDD. Where do the games go on the SSD?

You have to create a Steam library on the SSD. In your Steam client go into the settings, and there under "Download" at the top choose " Manage content location on multiple drives".
After you create a library on the SSD you can either download and install games directly to it, OR you can install it to the HDD and move the files later when you want to play it.
To do that right click the game in your Steam library, choose "Properties" then "Local Files" and there select "Move Installation Folder". Select the library on the SSD as target and Steam will copy over the files to the SSD, the game will start from there after that.
If you are done with playing the game for a while you can just transfer the files back to the HDD in the same way if you need the space on the SSD.
Showing 1-12 of 12 comments
romelsky Dec 21, 2019 @ 6:09pm 
21
#1
zambeezi Dec 21, 2019 @ 6:10pm 
What's that suppose to mean?
#2
Brujeira Dec 21, 2019 @ 6:13pm 
You can do the initial install on the HDD and then move the game’s files to the SSD. That’s not really necessary though - what are you hoping to gain by doing this?
#3
zambeezi Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:24pm 
My SSD is a lot faster than the HDD. Where do the games go on the SSD?
#4
Jay Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:35pm 
ssss
#5
Werewolf008 Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:36pm 
ssss
#6
MancSoulja Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:37pm 
Originally posted by zambeezi:
My SSD is a lot faster than the HDD. Where do the games go on the SSD?

Depends where you place the library on the drive. Why do you want to download to the HDD, what advantage do you think it's going to give you?
#7
The author of this thread has indicated that this post answers the original topic.
Ogami Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:40pm 
Originally posted by zambeezi:
My SSD is a lot faster than the HDD. Where do the games go on the SSD?

You have to create a Steam library on the SSD. In your Steam client go into the settings, and there under "Download" at the top choose " Manage content location on multiple drives".
After you create a library on the SSD you can either download and install games directly to it, OR you can install it to the HDD and move the files later when you want to play it.
To do that right click the game in your Steam library, choose "Properties" then "Local Files" and there select "Move Installation Folder". Select the library on the SSD as target and Steam will copy over the files to the SSD, the game will start from there after that.
If you are done with playing the game for a while you can just transfer the files back to the HDD in the same way if you need the space on the SSD.
Last edited by Ogami; Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:40pm
#8
zambeezi Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:47pm 
@Ogami, thank you very much. Excactly what I wanted to know!
#9
Pride Dec 21, 2019 @ 7:56pm 
If you want the game on your SSD, while not download it directly to your SSD?

This seems really troublesome for no reason.
#10
Ogami Dec 21, 2019 @ 8:08pm 
Originally posted by Pride:
If you want the game on your SSD, while not download it directly to your SSD?

This seems really troublesome for no reason.

Maybe because his SSD is not that big? If you have only a 512 GB or even 250 GB one, you dont really want to fill it up with a bunch of 50-60 GB game titles.
Easier to download to a big space HDD and just use the folder move option when you really want to play it.
I did that myself when i only had a 250 GB SSD but a 6 TB HDD.
#11
IzumiRenn Feb 21, 2021 @ 7:06am 
Originally posted by Pride:
If you want the game on your SSD, while not download it directly to your SSD?

This seems really troublesome for no reason.
Yea exactly, personally im running a 256gb ssd(where windows is installed) and having multple steam games on the ssd is not a good idea, so i put them to the 1TB hdd
#12
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All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details
Date Posted: Dec 21, 2019 @ 6:09pm
Posts: 12
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