Need to move steam folder out of Program Files. Can't have more than one folder in the same drive.Libraryfolders.vdf not doing anything

[psychotrip]

I doubt anyone will see this, much less respond to it, but I'm out of options so here I am.

I've been trying to get my modded Skyrim SE working, and I think having steam in its default folder might be part of an overarching problem for me, since steam puts things in program files 32 by default. As you likely know, this is fine unless you want to mod your games, at which point it causes various issues.

Unfortunately I can't seem to move my steam folder to a new folder, because you can only have one folder in one drive, and I only have space in one of them. In other words, I'm unable to move steam's folder from program files to another place in my D drive, because the folder is already in my D drive.

I've already tried going into Libraryfolders.vdf to fix this, but nothing seems to change anything.

I've been working on getting everything right for over a week now, but this is derailing everything. If ANYONE knows what I'm supposed to do here, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Oh, and just to be clear. I don't WANT to have multiple steam folders unless there's some benefit to it. All I want is to move my ONE folder in the D drive to another place in the D drive.

[Bee🐝]

Just to be clear...you asked in the Skyrim SE discussion section before this, right? I'd go there first and get their input - you shouldn't have to move anything to get a modded version of Skyrim to work. No matter what the mod is. Most Skyrim launching or acting up issues is mod load order/conflict related.

The regular posters there will be able to spot any mods related issues from a mile away.

Having to move Steam files around is kinda drastic.

[crunchyfrog]

Yup, Bee's absolutely correct here.

NEVER EVER start messing with moving around stuff, especially if you don't truly know what you're doing, because you'll end up forgetting what you did and in what order and end up in a unrecoverable mess.

The Skyrim community, as with most Bethesda games is packed with modders and users that are well versed with this stuff and will be laser focused on what to do in your case.

[psychotrip]

I've actually only been posting on reddit lately (mostly in /r/skyrimmods) but one of the first things people always say over there is that Skyrim shouldn't be in program files or any system folder. I don't usually peruse the steam forums, but I think Reddit's Skyrim community did all they could to help my various issues so I figured I'd come here lol.

I'm also trying to install ENboost, which will make the game far more stable, but the directions warn you that Skyrim can't be in program files for it to work.

Anyway, sorry if this was posted in the wrong place. I should really just stop messing with stuff but I'm so close to getting everything working.

[psychotrip]

Yeah, most of the advice from the Skyrim community (based on some searching) is based around moving Skyrim out of program files. It's like the first step people keep recommending.

So, I know this is likely still the wrong place to discuss this, but if anyone knows the best way to move a steam game to another folder then I'd appreciate the help.

Edit: Just realized I could edit posts. This is what the folks on /r/skyrimmods recommend, but it sounds pretty extreme to me. Is there really no easier way to do this?

"While I'm not an expert, I recently just moved my Steam out of my Program Files. Here's what I did. (Found my source)

Go into Steam, and delete any games you won't need in the next few months.

Exit Steam

Go into the steam folder and delete everything but the Steamapps folder, as well as the Steam.exe file.

Now Cut and Paste whats left of the Steam folder into a new directory, I have mine located at C:\Games\Steam\SteamApps. (This step will take a while depending on how many games you have.)

Run Steam.exe A lot of your settings will need to be redone if you changed anything previously. Also my Steam wouldn't launch on Windows startup until I went back and made sure the setting was checked.

Restart your computer to make sure everything is nice and secure (You should do this after every big update or change, like upgrading Java or moving huge directories.)"

https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/3f66yi/moving_skyrim_out_of_program_files/

[crunchyfrog]

Originally posted by psychotrip:

I've actually only been posting on reddit lately (mostly in /r/skyrimmods) but one of the first things people always say over there is that Skyrim shouldn't be in program files or any system folder. I don't usually peruse the steam forums, but I think Reddit's Skyrim community did all they could to help my various issues so I figured I'd come here lol.

I'm also trying to install ENboost, which will make the game far more stable, but the directions warn you that Skyrim can't be in program files for it to work.

Anyway, sorry if this was posted in the wrong place. I should really just stop messing with stuff but I'm so close to getting everything working.

Yes, absolutely STOP messing with stuff. It's a foolish errand simply because it's so easy to think "I'm so close" and then one trick can mean it's broken again.

Your best bet is probably to uninstall the game completely. Then reinstall it all back in another folder that isn't program files (they are right about that, by the way).

It might take longer, as it invoves redownloading everything, but it's cleaner with less potential of ♥♥♥♥ up.

[psychotrip]

Damn. I had just gotten all the mods I needed and had a pretty fun game that was just ramping up. I just wanted to make the game stutter less and fix a weird issue where the framerate keeps dropping the longer I play.

♥♥♥♥. I wish I had known to move the folder before I started modding.

I spent weeks setting everything up, only to miss one step that ruined everything. If anyone is reading this, learn from my mistake lol.

But yeah, I think I need to just stop trying and play something else before my computer explodes. Thanks for the help, everyone!

[Snapjak]

If you're insistent upon moving Skyrim out of Program Files, just move ALL of Steam out of there.

Cut the entire Steam folder and throw it somewhere like C:\Games\Steam then run Steam.exe.
It'll count as a new install (need guard and trade/market cooldowns and whatnot) but it should work just fine.

[Bee🐝]

I agree with Crunchyfrog - it's a lot of work that might not solve the problem. Skyrim sometimes, with loads of mods, just runs slower or stutters with time. Figuring out what's causing it could drive you crazy. You could go ol’ ”the turn off the mods one by one” route to see if there's a specific culprit but that frankly sucks time-wise. And it might not solve it.

Ok, so I just checked the classic Enboost nexus link. So this is just me (and you might’ve tried it already) but...all my skyrim mods are happily in the default program files directory...just shove/install Enboost there, edit the required pref files and it’ll be fine. You have nothing really to lose if you're going to abandon the save anyway.

Lastly, I still recommend you post your sorted mod list in the Skyrim section. Explain the stuttering issue and see if they have some advice. You can never have enough input when it comes to Dkyrim mods.

[psychotrip]

I'll try that Bee. ENboost seemed to work fine in program files when I installed it for oldrim. That being said, my oldrim was absolutely destroyed by mods (I was a stupid kid at the time) so I have no clue how much it actually helped lol.

Snapjak's suggestion was what I was trying to do originally, but it feels like a trap to me. It can't just be that simple, right? I'm positive something would break in the process, unless I'm just being paranoid. For now, I'll try Bee and Crunchyfrog's suggestions.

Thanks everyone!

[Snapjak]

It really is that simple to move all of Steam. Games will adjust to their new location as will Steam itself, saves should be in their correct place since they'll either be in the game's folder or in a Windows folder that wasn't touched.

[psychotrip]

Not to pry, but then why is everyone else recommended far more complicated methods, or saying not to mess with it at all?

I'm not saying I don't believe you. I'm just hearing conflicting things and want a better understanding.

[Snapjak]

I'm only suggesting it if you still want to move Skyrim out. Since you seem to only have one drive (otherwise why not just move it) it'd be easier to simply relocate all of Steam rather than fiddle with library folders or whatever.

[crunchyfrog]

Neither of us are wrong and you're right to ask for clarification.

Basically Snapjak is suggesting one solution - that of just moving the whole steam installation. This is a good idea, and assuming that the program files issue is the only issue left it's probably the best one.

However, if it's not and it's as I suspect you might have either got more problems or you want to get back on a more stable footing, then the solution or startinfrom scratch and redownlading is a viable option.

In short, take your pick.

[Zwrzz]

Originally posted by psychotrip:

I doubt anyone will see this, much less respond to it, but I'm out of options so here I am.

I've been trying to get my modded Skyrim SE working, and I think having steam in its default folder might be part of an overarching problem for me, since steam puts things in program files 32 by default. As you likely know, this is fine unless you want to mod your games, at which point it causes various issues.

Unfortunately I can't seem to move my steam folder to a new folder, because you can only have one folder in one drive, and I only have space in one of them. In other words, I'm unable to move steam's folder from program files to another place in my D drive, because the folder is already in my D drive.

I've already tried going into Libraryfolders.vdf to fix this, but nothing seems to change anything.

I've been working on getting everything right for over a week now, but this is derailing everything. If ANYONE knows what I'm supposed to do here, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Oh, and just to be clear. I don't WANT to have multiple steam folders unless there's some benefit to it. All I want is to move my ONE folder in the D drive to another place in the D drive.

If you still need help, you need to delete Skyrim completely (look it up if you don't know how) and then follow this guide: https://www.reddit.com/r/skyrimmods/comments/9286w3/steam_library_setup_tool/