Moving games from laptop to a desktop without internet

[fred.lc]

So, these are the details: I'm currently in a temporary rented out place as my new home is finishing construction. It should take a few months yet.

I have a high speed internet connection, but it does not reach the room my desktop is placed, and there is no way around it - there are rooms in between and, as it is an old appartment, there are no real passages for cables. Also, the wifi is way too inconsistent because of the distance, and a few obstacles in the way.

For most things, it really does not matter much, I can use my tablet for most online needs, and my laptop obviously can be set near to my wifi source for more robust needs. However, I'd like to be able to install steam games on my desktop. It is more powerful, and also more convenient than keeping setting up the laptop on the dinner table.

A traditioal huge download on the desktop is a non starter - it would take days to weeks even if could be sure internet signal would be consistent. Which I am not.

So I figured that maybe I could download a game in my laptop, than transfer it to my desktop. I can workaround to get internet to my desktop long enough to activate steam and validate games, I just need the game files reaching it through an offline solution.

Is there any solution I can use here to achieve that? I didn´t find anything when I looked up...

Thanks in advance!

[Crazy Tiger]

Copy the correct game folder and the .acf file over from laptop to desktop, then click the "install" button in the library on the desktop to let Steam find the game files and make the connection.

Keep in mind that if the games don't support offline mode, you still won't be able to play them on your desktop if your internet is wonky on there.

[Ogami]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

then click the "install" button in the library on the desktop to let Steam find the game files and make the connection.

Not really needed. Just be sure that Steam is closed when you copy over the games folder and the appmanifest file.
If you start Steam after that the game will appear as installed and ready to play in the library.

[Jaunitta 🌸]

Also copy the userdata as these have all your screenshots.
Use a USB drive or flash drive buy one with a high capacity copy to that then paste into Steam on new desktop.
Remember to create your original Steam account name and have your email verified first.
It needs to be the same as the Laptop then log in.
Then install Steam login to Steam then copy over all your stuff.

[fred.lc]

I assume the .acf file is in a different folder than the game folder, yes?

Also, the final path would differ. In my laptop, games are installed in the "d" drive, subfolder "games"; in my desktop, it is in the "f" drive, root. Is there any path adjustment I should do manually, or steam will recognize it regardless?

[fred.lc]

Hmmm. it just occurred me...

If I create a backup of the game in my external HD in the laptop, shouldn't I be able to than restore it in the desktop, automating much of that process? Or am I missing something here?

[Ogami]

The appmanifest file is in the "steamapps" folder, the one who also contains the "common" folder with the game installation files.
Each installed game has a corrosponding appmanifest file with a number and a .acf ending.
Without that file Steam will not recognize the game files in most cases and just redownload everything.
So either make sure you copy over the correct appmanifest file too for the game or copy the entire steamapps folder to a external drive to copy to the new location.

[fred.lc]

So, two approaches.

I'll try those ASAP.

Thanks a lot.

[fred.lc]

Just to register, I tried the "backup on laptop/restore on desktop" approach today. Worked like a charm, and I didn't have to hunt for files anywhere, the system set everything up automattically!

So, problem solved.

Thanks for the tips!