Delete games in "common"-folder?

[Muad'Dib]

Hi.
Just batch-moved all games from systemdrive to new steamfolder on D-drive by using "Steam Library Manager". I have no space left on my systemdrive...
Can I delete the games from the original "common"-folder? If yes: by just deleting them (right-click ---> delete) or through steam-software og other software?
Best regards
Granpa

[Phantom]

Either one does the same thing.

However, i believe that the uninstall option within Steam does not remove config files.

You probably don't need those since you transfer them already.

[Muad'Dib]

Hi. Thanks for feedback :-)
When I go to settings --> Download --> libraryfolder for steam; it reads that there are 5 games in original folder and 1 in new folder. Thats whats maiking me question if I can delete the original files...What if I uninstall and reinstall the steam software? Will that update the list mentioned above?

[Muad'Dib]

Originally posted by politediligence:

Uninstalling Steam will uninstall all your games. Instead go to your library, right-click the game in question, choose "Properties". In the new window go to the "Local Files" tab and click "Move install folder".

All games have been moved by using "Steam Library Manager"...

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by GrandPa:

Originally posted by politediligence:

Uninstalling Steam will uninstall all your games. Instead go to your library, right-click the game in question, choose "Properties". In the new window go to the "Local Files" tab and click "Move install folder".

All games have been moved by using "Steam Library Manager"...

uninstalling steam will still remove all your games.

[Muad'Dib]

I got it. Uninstall will remove my games...
Not talking about uninstalling. Talking about deleting the games in the original "common"-folder AFTER moving them to another drive. (Actually they are copied, not moved. Using "Steam Library Manager"). The games take up about 250 GB on a 500 GB C-drive. Only 10,4 GB left on C-drive

[Clyde]

I "MOVED" my game folders to another drive from my C drive using the steam library manager and after it was done, the files were on my new drive, AND still on my C drive.....I need to save the space and want to delete the game folders now from the common folder on the C drive, but when I compared one of the game folders, the folder on the new drive for game A had 6 gigs and the same game folder on my C drive had 10 gigs of data. SO now I'm copying all files from that folder with 10 gigs to the folder on the new drive with 6 gigs in it so they both have all files, not sure why all were not copied. Getting to be frustrating when these steam library tools do not seem to do what they are intended to do. Not sure what I could have done wrong, but don't believe I did anything wrong.
Anyone else had this experience? and as Grandpa asked, is it OK to just delete the files from the C drive that were supposedly MOVED to the new drive? I'm about to the point of just doing it and whatever happens happens lol.

[mimizukari]

steam has its own backup tool, in the client press steam->backup and restore games. this is the only way you should move games.

[nullable]

Originally posted by Kurumi Tokisaki:

steam has its own backup tool, in the client press steam->backup and restore games. this is the only way you should move games.

Disagree. It works. But it also takes longer and doesn't do anything special besides providing an option to split the archive up in CD or DVD sized chunks.

I would advise my 66 year old mother to use the backup tool because it's probably easier for a novice level user. I'd tell my fairly technically capable wife to just copy the folder to the desired Library location.

Just depends where the user's comfort zone is.

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by Brockenstein:

Originally posted by Kurumi Tokisaki:

steam has its own backup tool, in the client press steam->backup and restore games. this is the only way you should move games.

Disagree. It works. But it also takes longer and doesn't do anything special besides providing an option to split the archive up in CD or DVD sized chunks.

I would advise my 66 year old mother to use the backup tool because it's probably easier for a novice level user. I'd tell my fairly technically capable wife to just copy the folder to the desired Library location.

Just depends where the user's comfort zone is.

copying the folder does not produce same results, you also need .acf files and other things. That is why backup is best option.

[nullable]

I've never had an issue copying the folder to a new library and telling Steam to install/reinstall the game at the new location. Steam seems pretty good about recognizing existing files, validating them, finishing the install.

So yes, I would say you get the same results: An installed game that didn't require GB's of download bandwidth.

You can feel a more "formal" process is better if you want though. It's just not absolutely true.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

How long does it take to generate the 'additional' files when you follow the manual way?

The steam backup feature takes much longer than just copy/pasting and redirecting a reinstall to discover existing content. It works flawlessly, and never had any problems using it.

Still use it to this day. Let granny do it the "steam way"

[Clyde]

Another thing I noticed using steams move game folder is when I checked the properties of folders moved to the new drive, often the folder size on the new drive was considerably smaller than the original folder on my C drive! For example one of the folders within the game folder on the new drive was only 6 gigs but the same folder on my C drive had 10 gigs of data on it. So I just copied the whole folder to my new drive and deleted them from my C drive because I'm tired of waiting and messing around with it, if it works great, if not i guess i reinstall them.
Cant trust the steam program to move them all it just copied some.

[mimizukari]

Originally posted by Clyde:

Another thing I noticed using steams move game folder is when I checked the properties of folders moved to the new drive, often the folder size on the new drive was considerably smaller than the original folder on my C drive! For example one of the folders within the game folder on the new drive was only 6 gigs but the same folder on my C drive had 10 gigs of data on it. So I just copied the whole folder to my new drive and deleted them from my C drive because I'm tired of waiting and messing around with it, if it works great, if not i guess i reinstall them.
Cant trust the steam program to move them all it just copied some.

steam backup is only way to ensure you get every file necessary, it could be smaller because of modified files you had in the original folder.

[Clyde]

Well that's good to know as I did use steam backup prior to moving and deleting files at least for the one flightsim that uses by far the most space which is X Plane 11.
I may use backup again for any games prior to moving them to the other drive.
Thanks for that info Kurumi!