Can I compress and store the game files(using 7 zip)

[Urek]

The idea is I currently have a lot of game and I need to install another one! However there isn’t enough storage!
I was thinking of storing the game files(from steamapps folder) to external drive!
But since the games can have hundreds of files the transfer speed will be very slow!
So can I zip then(using 7 zip) and store them on the external drive!

Will zipping break/corrupt the files?

[MalikQayum]

there is a back up feature within the steam client, click on steam (top left corner), then back up.

[Blargo]

Are you actively playing all of the games you have installed?
If not, why not uninstall the ones you aren't playing?

[Zekiran]

If you want to then play them again, you'd need to reinstall them properly, which would likely bring updates anyway.

Just uninstall them. If you're worried about losing your saves or mods, copy the individual folders - look up the game online and 'where does steam store these files', and you should be able to locate the specifics.

[Urek]

I just want to save them because reinstalling a ~100 gb game every time you want to play it is a little difficult for me!

Plus I’m on a 250GB SSD so it makes it hard to even install 2 big titles!

[Crazy Tiger]

Get an external drive to store the games you don't play often. Remember to attach it before you launch Steam, otherwise it'll show the games as uninstalled.

[Zekiran]

^^^ yeah, any external that can be basically 'always there' is excellent. I have about half my Steam games and all my music and whatever other massive-gb-stuff on my own 2tb ext. but if it gets unpowered, you'll have a bit of fiddling to do to get it back properly.