How do I restore purchased games?

[Junior Jr.]

Quick question, say if I uninstalled Steam from one computer and install Steam on another computer, how do I restore all my purchased and/or received games?

Thanks.

[ᴠᴀʀ]

copy the folder "SteamApps" from the installation folder to new installation folder. That's where all the games are stored. Otherwise you had to download the games again.

[Junior Jr.]

Can't find the folder on Mac, does anyone know the direction?

[Ibleenks]

hover over "library" in the steam client and select "all games"

[Junior Jr.]

Okay...now what?

[Ibleenks]

the games that you have purchased but have not installed should be listed in the library now. you should be able to install then by clicking on them.

[Junior Jr.]

I HAVE installed a couple of games before, I'm trying to save my purchased games the next time I install Steam on another computer.

[Junior Jr.]

I want to save my purchased games on a folder, so when I install Steam on another computer, I want to store all my purchased games onto that computer. Can someone please give me a solution or can support help me please?

[Kargor]

Ever considered using Steams built in backup system? On the Steam window there's a menu, named "Steam". There should be an entry "Backup and Restore Games"...

[Junior Jr.]

It only restores games I've installed, not games I haven't installed yet.

[Kenny32673]

Originally posted by thedudenfresh:

It only restores games I've installed, not games I haven't installed yet.

Well how do you expect to backup a game you haven't installed yet?

[Kargor]

Well, you always have to download the game at least once, there is no way around that (unless you have a retail DVD of the game, provided that one uses Steam too).

Backup can only help you avoid additional downloads.

[bipolar disorder]

only backup

[Kiya]

Steam is account based so all you need to do is remember your account login details - install Steam on the new computer and log into your account then all of the games you have bought on that account will be available for you download.

[Junior Jr.]

So I just keep Steam on my mac, get a pc, install steam on that and I should still have my games?

[Kiya]

As long as you have logged into your account, yes. Though keep in mind that not all of the games bought for a mac automatically give you a windows PC version as well. Some do and some don't, you will need to check that for the games that you own.