All Discussions > Steam Forums > Help and Tips > Topic Details
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 2:54pm
Transferring game files onto external HDD?
Hey guys, I just want to make sure I do this right. I just bought a laptop and can't be bothered to wait for the game to download onto my external HDD, so I want to copy the game files over and keep them on my HDD.

By going to Steam/steamapps/common/Dead by Daylight for eg, it's obviously the entire Dead by Dalight (or any game) folder that I have to transfer over to my HDD, right? And also, what filepath should I set up on my HDD so that my laptop Steam knows where the games are?

Do I need to make Steam/steamapps/common again? And one final question, how do I get steam to run the game from my HDD? I'll be unplugging the HDD a lot so will expect to be doing the same process again and again. Thanks!
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The Giving One Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:00pm 
It is not recommended that you install Steam or games to external hardware. Unless of course but just to transfer the game files over from location to location temporarily.

Preventing this issue
External Hard Drives

External hard drives are not recommended for use with Steam or Steam's games. Aside from many potential performance issues, external hard drives may connect or disconnect from the computer at inopportune times as part of their normal operations. If you encounter this issue with an external drive, install Steam and your games to an internal drive instead.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8379-RYIP-2998

I am not entirely sure here of what you are trying to do.

In the case of backing up Steam games, you need to copy the steamapps folder. There are files in that folder that are important.

Please just tell us what you are trying to do exactly.
#1
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:02pm 
Originally posted by The Giving One:
It is not recommended that you install Steam or games to external hardware. Unless of course but just to transfer the game files over from location to location temporarily.

Preventing this issue
External Hard Drives

External hard drives are not recommended for use with Steam or Steam's games. Aside from many potential performance issues, external hard drives may connect or disconnect from the computer at inopportune times as part of their normal operations. If you encounter this issue with an external drive, install Steam and your games to an internal drive instead.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8379-RYIP-2998

I am not entirely sure here of what you are trying to do.

In the case of backing up Steam games, you need to copy the steamapps folder. There are files in that folder that are important.

Please just tell us what you are trying to do exactly.

My laptop comes with 128gb solid state, so after the OS I'm left with very little space to play with and games are not a priority. If it ends up being unsuitable for external HDD's then so be it, I was just hoping there'd be a way around it.
Last edited by Sexcellent; Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:03pm
#2
The Giving One Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:04pm 
Originally posted by Canuck.:
My laptop comes with 128gb solid state, so after the OS I'm left with very little space to play with and games are not a priority. If it ends up being unsuitable for external HDD's then so be it, I was just hoping there'd be a way around it.
You can add a library folder option in the Steam settings. Click Steam in the top left of the client then "settings" then "downloads". Use the menu there to add a second library folder and that takes care of it. No moving files and folders around. Does that apply to what you are trying to do ?
#3
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:06pm 
Originally posted by The Giving One:
Originally posted by Canuck.:
My laptop comes with 128gb solid state, so after the OS I'm left with very little space to play with and games are not a priority. If it ends up being unsuitable for external HDD's then so be it, I was just hoping there'd be a way around it.
You can add a library folder option in the Steam settings. Click Steam in the top left of the client then "settings" then "downloads". Use the menu there to add a second library folder and that takes care of it. No moving files and folders around. Does that apply to what you are trying to do ?

Not really, I don't want the games to be saved onto my laptop at all because of the space they take up. With such little space left over I wanted to keep them on external HDD and play from there, but I understand that it's not recommended so maybe best not to risk it..
#4
The Giving One Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:08pm 
Originally posted by Canuck.:

Not really, I don't want the games to be saved onto my laptop at all because of the space they take up. With such little space left over I wanted to keep them on external HDD and play from there, but I understand that it's not recommended so maybe best not to risk it..
I am confused here. What I just suggested keeps them on other drive locations as you designate. Therefore, they are not on your SSD at all when you create a new library folder elsewhere.
#5
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:09pm 
Originally posted by The Giving One:
Originally posted by Canuck.:

Not really, I don't want the games to be saved onto my laptop at all because of the space they take up. With such little space left over I wanted to keep them on external HDD and play from there, but I understand that it's not recommended so maybe best not to risk it..
I am confused here. What I just suggested keeps them on other drive locations as you designate. Therefore, they are not on your SSD at all when you create a new library folder elsewhere.

I have no other drivers on my laptop though, only a 128gb SSD.. unless I'm completely missing the point here? I'm talking about transferring from my PC to my other laptop through the use of a HDD.
#6
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:12pm 
Speak to me like a child, I'm good with computers but things like this go way over my head! :steamfacepalm:
#7
󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡󠀡 Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:15pm 
Originally posted by Canuck.:
Speak to me like a child, I'm good with computers but things like this go way over my head! :steamfacepalm:
just copy your all steam apps folder from c/program files/steam to your laptop in same location.
#8
The Giving One Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:16pm 
Now I understand, and sorry if this was my failure here to do so.

You need to copy the entire steamapps folder and drag/drop/move that folder to the other computer. Then, place it inside the Steam folder on that other computer. Other steps may be needed to make that other installation of Steam "see" the games as installed and that transferring the files went smoothly without issues. See these....

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8379-RYIP-2998

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335
Last edited by The Giving One; Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:17pm
#9
Sexcellent Sep 1, 2016 @ 3:28pm 
Originally posted by The Giving One:
Now I understand, and sorry if this was my failure here to do so.

You need to copy the entire steamapps folder and drag/drop/move that folder to the other computer. Then, place it inside the Steam folder on that other computer. Other steps may be needed to make that other installation of Steam "see" the games as installed and that transferring the files went smoothly without issues. See these....

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8379-RYIP-2998

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335

Thanks for your help! :)
#10
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Date Posted: Sep 1, 2016 @ 2:54pm
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