Steam won't recognize games that I've pasted into the Steamapps folder. Why?

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

I've copied Fallout 4 from my old computer so that I can install it on a new one without having to redownload it (I average 500kbps so it would take like 2 full days).

I pasted the 'fallout4' folder into the 'common' folder in Steamapps and Steam WON'T recognize it! It keeps redownloading the entire game (and no it's not downloading little updates). I even tried it with a different game and I get the same result....

Could this have something to do with Steam being installed on my secondary 'non C drive'?

This shouldn't be so damn hard to do!

ps I didn't backup the games through Steams own backup process. I copied the steamapps folder from my old PC as I've read that, that works as well.

Any ideas??

[Washell]

Copy the appmanifest_377160.acf file from steam\steamapps\ too.

[Borjoyzee]

If you just copied the game folder you have to hit the _Install_ button in your library. Then Steam will see the old folder and verifies the existing installation. It doesn't download the whole game again.

[Tev]

Originally posted by Borjoyzee:

If you just copied the game folder you have to hit the _Install_ button in your library. Then Steam will see the old folder and verifies the existing installation. It doesn't download the whole game again.

Not in every scenario, sadly. Although I'd probably lean towards program interference in scenarios it doesn't.

Originally posted by TheWayBEST:

Steam WON'T recognize it! It keeps redownloading the entire game (and no it's not downloading little updates)

Thus what Washell said. Copying the appmanifest in its location should bypass the whole need to detect the folder in the first place.

[Borjoyzee]

Sorry, I missed that you already tried that. It doesn't matter that Steam is not on your C: drive. My Steam has always been on D: and just copying the folders is the best way to backup ones Steam library. Steam backup is slow an unreliable.

If this process is not working with other games just completely uninstall Steam and start from scratch. Before uninstalling copy or move your steamapps folder to a save place.

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

Originally posted by Washell:

Copy the appmanifest_377160.acf file from steam\steamapps\ too.

It doesn't seem that 'appmanifest_377160.acf' copied over. I don't have access to the old computer either.. So I'm pretty much screwed

[Tev]

Originally posted by TheWayBEST:

Originally posted by Washell:

Copy the appmanifest_377160.acf file from steam\steamapps\ too.

It doesn't seem that 'appmanifest_377160.acf' copied over. I don't have access to the old computer either.. So I'm pretty much screwed

Well, you could look into why the detection doesn't work.

• Refresh Steam Client Files
  
  1. Exit Steam
     
  2. Hold down [Windows] and [R] -keys
     

     steam://flushconfig

  3. Press [Enter]
  
  
• Programs Which May Interfere with Steam
  
  • https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=9828-SFLZ-9289
  
  
• Disabling Background Applications
  
  • https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8043-EUJN-5239

Alternatively you could try to recreate the appmanifest file with SteamCMD.

1. You could download SteamCMD here:
   
   https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/SteamCMD

   login <account name> <password>
   <SteamGuard>
   @sSteamCmdForcePlatformBitness 64
   force_install_dir "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4"
   app_update 377160 validate
   exit

   
   
2. Exit the Steam -client
   
3. Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4\steamapps\ and move the appmanifest_377160.acf -file in your Steam\steamapps\ -folder.
   
4. Remove the C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Fallout 4\steamapps\ -folder.
   
5. Restart Steam

EDIT

Apply the folder path in force_install_dir that applies to your Fallout 4's location.

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

I mean that appmanifest_377160.acf didn't copy over from the original folder when I was backing it up. So I don't even have that file to begin with

[Tev]

Yeah, I noticed my poor reading afterwards. I edited in my former comment regardless. See if either is doable by you.

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

Guys it just worked for Mass Effect 2. Installed in like 3 minutes... BUT I WANT FALLOUT 4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Is there any way of getting it to install? Perhaps downloading a copy of the appmanifest_377160 and pasting that?

[Kickin' Chicken]

Verifying has always worked for me.

[Tev]

Originally posted by Kickin' Chicken:

Verifying has always worked for me.

You mean detecting the existing files?

Same, but this case included, there's lots for whom it hasn't worked.

[Kickin' Chicken]

Originally posted by Teutep:

Originally posted by Kickin' Chicken:

Verifying has always worked for me.

You mean detecting the existing files?

Same, but this case included, there's lots for whom it hasn't worked.

Yeah, that's it, just wanted to put it out there.

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

Would it work if I downloaded 'appmanifest_377160.acf' and pasted that into the fallout4 folder? Does anyone know where I can get such a file?

[Tev]

Originally posted by TheWayBEST:

Would it work if I downloaded 'appmanifest_377160.acf' and pasted that into the fallout4 folder? Does anyone know where I can get such a file?

Theoretically it should work, since I've given my brother my own appmanifest -file for x game; he uses his own Steam -account and computer and it worked for him.

You'd have to ask someone who currently has the game installed, although I'd prefer recreating the file myself if I were you, but I'm not.

[PISSED-OFF-COW]

What sort of file? How does one create such a thing?