Save file transfer :: Help and Tips

Ogami Feb 19, 2018 @ 7:55am

Save games usually get stored in the "Documents" folder of the HDD with your windows installation.
It does not matter if you install your games on a external HDD, they will still recognize those save games because its the default location nearly all games use.

If you just want to get your save files to another system, use a free program like "Game Save Manager". That finds all save games on your system and you can put them in an archive to copy over. On the new system just restore the archive with the same program.

#1

The Giving One Feb 19, 2018 @ 7:56am

What exactly are you trying to do, because it is not recommended to have Steam and games actually installed to externals. You can store files there, yes, but having them installed is not recommended.

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

It is not recommended that you install Steam to an external hard drive, due to potential performance issues.

You "can" do it and it works, but there will be performance issues surely, and it all has to be setup properly (Antivirus, power saving features of the drive (sleep), etc.)

EDIT................(ninja'd)

Originally posted by Ogami:
If you just want to get your save files to another system, use a free program like "Game Save Manager".

This. This is a good suggestion for saves.

Last edited by The Giving One; Feb 19, 2018 @ 7:57am

#2

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:16am

So if I install steam to one of the internal drives and install the games onto an external I should be fine? As long Steam itself isn’t on the external?

Originally posted by The Giving One:
What exactly are you trying to do, because it is not recommended to have Steam and games actually installed to externals. You can store files there, yes, but having them installed is not recommended.

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

It is not recommended that you install Steam to an external hard drive, due to potential performance issues.

You "can" do it and it works, but there will be performance issues surely, and it all has to be setup properly (Antivirus, power saving features of the drive (sleep), etc.)

EDIT................(ninja'd)

Originally posted by Ogami:
If you just want to get your save files to another system, use a free program like "Game Save Manager".
This. This is a good suggestion for saves.

#3

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:17am

Have you tried the program yourself? I’m trying to get my saves to a new PC I’m trying to get

Originally posted by Ogami:
Save games usually get stored in the "Documents" folder of the HDD with your windows installation.
It does not matter if you install your games on a external HDD, they will still recognize those save games because its the default location nearly all games use.

If you just want to get your save files to another system, use a free program like "Game Save Manager". That finds all save games on your system and you can put them in an archive to copy over. On the new system just restore the archive with the same program.

#4

The Giving One Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:18am

Originally posted by RoadKill2101:
So if I install steam to one of the internal drives and install the games onto an external I should be fine? As long Steam itself isn’t on the external?

You "can" do that and it will "work", yes, but there will be performance issues surely with those games, and you have to set everything up properly.

For example, the drive going to sleep at inopportune times, or any security software seeing that external drive and something to be constantly and actively scanned, just to name a couple.

#5

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:24am

Dang it! So it’s not a good idea in general. So you recommend using the game manager programs? Do they really work

#6

The Giving One Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:26am

Originally posted by RoadKill2101:
Dang it! So it’s not a good idea in general. So you recommend using the game manager programs? Do they really work

The save manager is good and many here recommend it. Personally ? If I am just moving everything to another computer, I prefer to do it all manually (copy and paste), but that is just me.

Steam has features to move stuff around that works well, but across different computers, you may want to make backups first.

Take a game like Skyrim, for example. Many people complain about the loading screens when you enter or exit to a new area. Now say that external drive is 5200 RPM, as some are. Now, those loading screens are gonig to be longer even, possibly, and much longer than say on an internal SSD.

I have mine installed to a PCIe X 4 SSD here and I don't even get to see the game tip messages on the loading screens, it load so fast. It's literally like one or two seconds.

Last edited by The Giving One; Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:29am

#7

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 1:42pm

Oh ok wow, I’m that case forget the external hard drives. So how does the backup work? Does it backup into the cloud or something or how does it work..also which is better backing up through steam or using a save manager

Originally posted by The Giving One:
Originally posted by RoadKill2101:
Dang it! So it’s not a good idea in general. So you recommend using the game manager programs? Do they really work
The save manager is good and many here recommend it. Personally ? If I am just moving everything to another computer, I prefer to do it all manually (copy and paste), but that is just me.

Steam has features to move stuff around that works well, but across different computers, you may want to make backups first.

Take a game like Skyrim, for example. Many people complain about the loading screens when you enter or exit to a new area. Now say that external drive is 5200 RPM, as some are. Now, those loading screens are gonig to be longer even, possibly, and much longer than say on an internal SSD.

I have mine installed to a PCIe X 4 SSD here and I don't even get to see the game tip messages on the loading screens, it load so fast. It's literally like one or two seconds.

#8

Glimmer Feb 19, 2018 @ 2:31pm

Originally posted by RoadKill2101:
Oh ok wow, I’m that case forget the external hard drives. So how does the backup work? Does it backup into the cloud or something or how does it work..also which is better backing up through steam or using a save manager

It backs up to where ever you tell it. As far as I know, Gamesave Manager does not have any cloud storage natively but if you have some service you could probably figure something out.

Be aware, Gamesave Manager only backs up the game progress and the various customizations (E.G. keybinds). It does not back up the game's installation files.

Last edited by Glimmer; Feb 19, 2018 @ 2:32pm

#9

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 3:30pm

As long as it saves my save files because I don’t wanna lose my progress. Does it do that? Also if can please provide me with a link just so I know its safe link

Originally posted by Glimmer:
Originally posted by RoadKill2101:
Oh ok wow, I’m that case forget the external hard drives. So how does the backup work? Does it backup into the cloud or something or how does it work..also which is better backing up through steam or using a save manager

It backs up to where ever you tell it. As far as I know, Gamesave Manager does not have any cloud storage natively but if you have some service you could probably figure something out.

Be aware, Gamesave Manager only backs up the game progress and the various customizations (E.G. keybinds). It does not back up the game's installation files.

#10

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:12pm

Bump

#11

Glimmer Feb 19, 2018 @ 8:27pm

http://www.gamesave-manager.com/

#12

Boost3d Feb 19, 2018 @ 10:03pm

Wait so i need another hard drive regardless? It's not like steam cloud?

#13

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