Can you install steam to another folder/ drive instead of windows?

[redbaron07]

Hello
My new PC has a second folder/ hard drive called Data, it has 1.3 TB of space. Steam has installed itself to the windows folder/ drive, which only has 700GB, so can you uninstall and reinstall in the Data drive? If so is it easy?
Keith

[Traumhaft]

Yes, you can do it. If you have to ask, it's probably not easy for you.

What problem are you actually trying to solve? This sounds like a classic XY problem.

[Supafly]

That would require an uninstall and reinstall.

If you're concerned about space you can just specify different drives and folders for you games to be stored.

Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder

Then in the same window located here
Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Select Folder you want all new downloads to use and right click it> Make Default Folder > OK

[Cave Yeti Supreme]

You can also move games between Steam library folders by right clicking the game in the list, going to Properties > Local Files > Move Install Folder

[redbaron07]

Ok thanks. It is the space issue, the windows drive only has 163GB free now and the only game installed is No Mans Sky. I have Neverwinter, Star Trek, Kerbal Space Program yet to install. So if I uninstall steam, re install and specify the D drive, that will work for all the other downloads and installs? Would that be easier that trying to move folders, games etc?

[Supafly]

Messaggio originale di redbaron07:

Ok thanks. It is the space issue, the windows drive only has 163GB free now and the only game installed is No Mans Sky. I have Neverwinter, Star Trek, Kerbal Space Program yet to install. So if I uninstall steam, re install and specify the D drive, that will work for all the other downloads and installs? Would that be easier that trying to move folders, games etc?

Just create library as I stated. That'll be easier than uninstalling Steam and reinstalling it. Plus faster.

You can leave No mans sky on the drive and just start installing other games to the other drive. Then in the future IF you need more space you can always move No mans sky using the steps in post #3. Or you may want to uninstall No mans sky before that happens.

163GB for OS drive is plenty.

[Cave Yeti Supreme]

Not really. Just go to your data drive, create a folder and name it something like Steam. Then follow the above procedures to add that folder as a Steam library, and mark it as your default installation location. Then download the other games and they'll already be installed there and you're done.

[redbaron07]

Ok so you dont need the steam apps files to be in the same drive then?

[𝔇ave]

Messaggio originale di redbaron07:

Ok so you dont need the steam apps files to be in the same drive then?

Correct.

[Supafly]

Messaggio originale di redbaron07:

Ok so you dont need the steam apps files to be in the same drive then?

Nope. You can have multiple locations for libraries. 1 per drive/partition. Max of 8....unless that got changed.

I currently have Steam games over 3 drives and never have any issue.

[redbaron07]

Ok not sure what I am doing wrong here. I have followed your instructions and created a folder SteamLibrary on the D drive using the add folder button. But when I click settings and downloads it does not appear. Any ideas?

[𝔇ave]

Did you set the new folder as the default install location?

If the folder isn't showing try restarting steam

[Supafly]

Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Add Library Folder >

you'll have a new window that you can click a dropdown menu at the top. First select the Drive you want to use. As you installed Steam to C:\ that'll likely mean it defaults to showing C:\Profiles.....\Steam..............

Just select D:\ or whatever the other drive you want to use is. Then just keep navigating the menu to get to the folder you want and press select.

To make it download to the new location by default

Messaggio originale di Suicidal Monkey:

Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders > Select Folder you want all new downloads to use and right click it > Make Default Folder > OK

[redbaron07]

Aha..thanks. I did not select the folder after it was created, have done it now. So thank you all very much for your help. Much appreciated.
Keith

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Like any app it asks where you wish to install it during the app installer.

Just edit it... such as
D:/Steam

[redbaron07]

OK thanks.
One more question - is there any benefit to installing the steam program in the D drive instead of the Windows drive? Is it faster to load as it does not have so much data? Or is there no benefit?
Only at the moment all I have is No Mans Sky, so to uninstall and reinstall in the D drive would not be that much hassle, but if there is no benefit I wont bother.