Please fix the issue with more than 1 steam library on the same drive..

[Acecool]

The default C drive/program files x86/steam/steamapps/etc... as the default folder is awkward and not ideal....

The problem is we can't delete it anymore... and steam doesn't let us add a second using the UI - meaning we have to edit the file. The problem with this, is Steam has a major bug where the dropdown ( when you install a game ) to choose the location to install the game only works about 1/10th of the time after doing this...

Unless it is another issue... But it works sometimes, but most of the time it doesn't. I don't edit the file, and it fixes itself... then again ... I don't touch the file and it breaks.


The file is formatted correctly - so what's up?


Please fix this.

[Brujeira]

Right, you’re going to need to explain what’s so awkward about the Steam directory structure as most people don’t find it necessary to tinker with it. The game’s individual folder can be opened easily from its library properties and that’s how most people access it.

[Acecool]

I use my own structure for data, for files, for work, etc.. It's much more efficient.

On top of that, with Steams structure, it is still possible to hit the 255 character limit on directory names when trying to copy files, back them up, etc.. which is just one more reason why I don't like their structure.

And yes, 255 limit isn't supposed to be an issue anymore, but the errors still exist within Windows and they prevent files from being copied. It doesn't matter if you are running NTFS, etc.. In some cases, that error is still thrown and it is a blocking error.

[Satoru]

note i'm going to be fairly dubiuos of the claim that your own 'structure' is more 'efficient'

Note if you need more than 255 characters on a directory name, I am again going to point to the part where 'efficeint' seems to be antithetical to what you're doing

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/fileio/naming-a-file?redirectedfrom=MSDN

If you're that desperate to be 'efficient', which again, doesnt really seem like you're being tbh, you can simply remove that limitation if you're relaly really into that.

Note I have like 4 different steam directory libraries and they all work fine. If it 'only works some of the time' thats mroe likely an issue of using external usb drives, which steam doesnt like because of the way said controllers frequently dsiconnect, go in to power saving, etc

[[SK] Kaldaien]

The limit is 260, by the way :) That's only the first of multiple limits, the next limit on length is ~32,767 characters and only very special software (i.e. 1% of official software that comes with Windows, lol) handles paths this long correctly.


If you're looking for a way to shorten paths, junctions pointing to a much longer path, placed at the root level of a volume work nicely.


This isn't the appropriate place for this post FYI, if you have a reproducible problem then you're 99% of the way toward filing a bug report. Join the beta group and submit a bug report there, even if it's not anything specific to the beta client.

[Acecool]

I can't reproduce the issue with the dropdown.. It works for one update, breaks the next.. It is random.

Also, I had 2 games incorrectly installed on the wrong drive path ( I never install anything on the default path, and it installed 2 in the default folder ).

I do use junctions for projects.. For instance, a Sublime text project which maps code and gives you an overview ( working on a major update for live-wiki style information, on hover, etc... optimizations and more ) of everything with a simple click to jump to the line... For files with 10,000 + lines, even 2k lines... this is crazy helpful...

I keep the project in my libraries folder, then use a junction in the ST3 packages path. I do the samee thing for Paint.net, and any other app which has user configurable things.

I have a batch file that I can then run to 'install' anything needing to be installed.. So if I go to a new computer, or hard-drive.. I simply grab my data from the cloud, or from my backup drives, run the bat to install anything which isn't 'portable' and make the junctions, etc..

I'm probably going to switch from the batch file to AutoHotkey.. I already created a framework to dynamically load files based on a folder structure ( and with the default AHK you have to generate the AHK file to execute, then execute them afterwards because the dynamic loading of folders doesn't exist in that.. but does in another version of AHK )..

That'll make it super easy to set up folders for auto install by dragging high priority installables into one dir, name them according to install order, if necessary... then run the AHK file and it'll do it all.

Not difficult, and this type of thing should exist by default.



I haven't taken the time to really diagnose the issue - lack of time. I don't even know the versions where it worked vs didn't aside from the current which would be helpful.. Maybe I'll keep a log.

But, I do believe the issue is tied into having more than 1 path on the same drive... more importantly, the C drive. I could probably create a junction on another drive tricking Steam into thinking it is another drive to see if that fixes it. But I'd rather avoid them because it is one more instruction I have to add to my refresh list - and I haven't coded the new AHK dynamic system yet in which case it'd be a simple drag and drop of a new batch file under Steam for on_installed hook ( ie: execute after the program has been fully installed )...

I already have it all designed, but I haven't found the time to create it yet since I'm working on a few other things and time is precious.


As for the 255 character limit or 260... I don't need more, but the default Steam directory does create instances where it creates those lengthy limits. By using my own structure, I eliminate those.

Also, by using my own structure, I can ensure none go over 255 / 260 meaning I won't run into a random error which stops my entire transfer, which means I have to find out EXACTLY where it stopped which takes more time.


Efficiency is very important to me, and my word is good. It's why I'm writing this Sublime Text addon ( Acecool's Code Mapping System on Bitbucket under /Acecool -- 1 word, no 's ).. to be more efficient so I can finish another project I was working on before my life ended.

Right now, everything I do is based on time because I have so little.

[Acecool]

Oh... Another note worth mentioning in a shorter post people will more likely read..

The settings > downloads > libraries dialog shows ALL of the paths perfectly fine. It also lets me set the default folder perfectly fine.

The default folder, is 99.9% of the time, the folder in which new 'installs' will ask me to install to.

I did mention this, but if that dropdown works just fine, what is different about the installer dialog which causes it to break. It may be enough for a bug report so I'll submit that ( I may have even submitted one years ago ).

[Acecool]

Update: With the beta client I can use the arrow keys. But the dropdown still doesn't 'drop down'. I see 1px border underneath, that's it. but I have a workaround.

So it is an issue with the skin, it seems. I am using the default skin and even went so far as to remove 100% of my settings with the same issue.