Changing Install location from C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam to C:\Games\Steam on Win11

[mikewrite100]

I was running into a problem with the program files directory was giving me issues with permissions.

In Steam, the Settings>Storage and Settings>Downloads do not offer any option for selecting a different location on C.

In Steam, the Settings > Storage does allow for assigning a different drive - which is not desired or possible.
(consistent with answer at https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4BD4-4528-6B2E-8327#:~:text=How%20do%20I%20change%20the%20default%20installation%20path%20for%20my%20games?,-Games%20are%20installed&text=You%20can%20create%20an%20alternate,please%20see%20the%20instructions%20below.)

Evidently the older functionality to select a different location on C was stripped out of the current release perhaps?

Old advice on the forums had suggested changing libraryfolders.vdf in both Steam\Config and Steam\Steamapps to show the new location on C:. However, when Steam loads these files are both overwritten with the old location regardless of changing them.

Any ideas?

[viske_]

Why dont you just move entire Steam folder manually from "C:\Program Files (x86)\" to "C:\Games\" ? I did this when i brought SSD and moved Steam to hard drive (D:) and it worked just fine. You must to exit steam before doing that or else it will say something like error, cant move files because they are currently opened in steam.exe blah blah blah. And don't forget to make the new shortcut for steam in desktop, the old one will refer to old path.

[Ben Lubar]

I'd do a simple registry search for C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam afterwards but even without that I'm pretty sure Steam will be able to figure out how to function.

You can even just move Steam.exe and nothing else and it'll redownload the entire client to the new folder.

[tintingaroo]

Here's a method that creates an additional install location on the same drive if you don't wanna move the Steam install:
https://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/1/3395163747110198261/#c3395163747110912094

The other suggestion I've seen mentioned is to create a symbolic link.