Same game but on 2 different drives

[FishGB]

Is there anyway to install the same game on two different drives? Example:
-So I like to play Skyrim with mods but sometimes, I like to load up an old save and play it without Mods.
-Eco v8 is my favourite version of the game but I'm trying to get used to v9.

So is there anyway to have Eco v8 and Skyrim WITH mods on one drive and have Eco v9 and Skyrim WITHOUT mods on another drive?

[Iceira]

i will say NO , most game use same userdata area, but what prevent if game is added to vortex (nexsus manager ) to make a switch in enable with mods and without.

so no to 2 diffrent drives, but yes to same install if a manager controll content added and you dont screw up load/save game.

[Supafly]

You could have the game on different drives. The problem is Steam will only identify the game on a single drive. You can't have it on 2 different drives AND Steam access one or the other.

Plus they'll save to the exact same location in your documents folder and that could cause problems with saves.

********************************Possible option ************************************
****** In theory this should work. However, it's not tested and off the top of my head *********

Let's say you only have it installed here
D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim

Have a new Steam Library setup for the other drive/game location
Close Steam (Steam must be closed for all steps below.
Copy the game AND the relevant appmanifest file for the game. Located here D:\Steam\steamapps\common\

As I have both Skyrim versions installed I figured out which you'd need
appmanifest_72850 for Skyrim
appmanifest_489830 for Skyrim Special Edition

Once complete you'll have
D:\Steam\steamapps\common\
and
E:\Games\steamapps\common\

Unmodded v9 on D:\ and modded v8 on E:
Mod the version on E:\

Now rename the folder and appmanifest with _v8 and _v9

So
D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim folder becomes
D:\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim_v9
Same with the appmanifest_v9

and

E:\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim folder becomes
E:\Steam\steamapps\common\Skyrim_v8
Same with the appmanifest_v8

With the folders and appmanifest now with _v8 and _v9 Steam won't detect the game as installed. You'll have to remove the _v8/_v9 and add it to the other version depending on which you want to play


Finally to deal with the save game data.

Go to your Documents and rename the Save folder as _v8 or _v9 depending on which version those save files are for. Then create a new folder and name it the same but with _v8/_v9

Now going forward you'll need to remove the _v8/_v9 from the end depending on what version you'll be using. Then add _v8/_v9 back and remove it from the other folder when you want to play the other version. Just like the game files.



**** May not be required to change name of appmanifest depending on which version/drive you're using. Recommend doing so to be safe.

****Save data should work without the renaming. However game would see all saves and will cause issues, including crashes, if you load saves for the wrong version

[Iceira]

you can try the old test, install path with game name1 and name2 to see if that is still allowed and can it make own separated userdata name1 and name2, then it might work, im not even sure steam allow this or have made such possible or dont care. ( and you still have game devs userdata isue in top of this after this can each game own config screw it up anyway )

gl with it.

this was possible at old cd-rom and dvd disk era, ( not the first time a mod conversion change all and had own install , just like Enderal: Forgotten Stories ( once a skyrim requirement , but not anymore as i recall )

[76561199167791899]

same game but 2 different disk and same time running game,different palys saved but after same saved game loaded ??? how to fix?

[Iceira]

Bethesdas change this ingame in its self has user profil in game menu, also why old previous player had issue with new profil, i notitice in fallout4 but same in skyrimSE and skyrim i bet.

change player name in main game menu is seen as new player profil seperated folder.

we other user multi save game mod manager in before that. if you knew Nexus mod before that.

this post is dead after the Bethesda change you cant have a issue with it anymore.

then you make new game with new player and new name that is the profil now.

[Riley]

This thread was quite old before the recent post, so we're locking it to prevent confusion.