Steam and a new computer

[ronopp]

Building a new system, what do I need from the old system to carry over to new rig?do I just log in and reinstall my games? any links would be appretiated

Ron

 

[WildW]

The nice thing about Steam is that you can copy over the contents of the Steam\Steamapps folder to a new PC and run the games without reinstalling at all. You don't need to re-download. Just install Steam first, run once, close Steam, copy things into the Steamapps folder and you're done.

 

[Mutilator]

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7418-YUBN-8129

I just copy the steam folder to the new PC - run the steam installer - done.

 

[Lotheron]

Make sure you check your Documents folder for folders like My Games where the save files are typically stored.

 

[ronopp]

Thanks guys......another question...I now have a ssd(80 gig) that will be used for os and some other apps i use a lot...any thing to make it easier?

 

[John P]

If you're lazy like me, just download Steam, log in, then re-download all your games. Obviously it's quicker to copy the folders like the others said though.

 

[paperfist]

This might assist you, Steam Mover: http://www.traynier.com/software/steammover

 

[Aikouka]

If you install Steam on your SSD, but don't want to put your games there, you can create a symbolic link for the steamapps folder. It essentially creates a "shortcut" that allows you to put the physical folder in a separate place. I just installed Steam completely on another drive though.

In my experience, you do have to install the game still even though you copy the data over. However, Steam will start downloading it, and then just immediately complete, because it realizes that you already have all of the data.

 

[theprodigalrebel]

If you install Steam on your SSD, but don't want to put your games there, you can create a symbolic link for the steamapps folder. It essentially creates a "shortcut" that allows you to put the physical folder in a separate place. I just installed Steam completely on another drive though.

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much! I use a program that insists on storing 25+GB of data in the 'C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore' location and I wanted it to be moved to another location. Never thought of looking up this as a possible feature. (Although I knew Windows supports it since that is how the Documents/Videos/Music etc. folders work)*

For the OP, copying your Steamapps folder will work great. When you launch the actual games, most games will insist on redownloading various runtime files (VC++, DirectX etc.) and may take a few seconds to create registry entries etc. But yeah, it should be fine.

*If you must know what program, it's this one. Never actually read any of the articles, I just use it for general amusement to look at 40 years worth of print ads. 😛

 

[Dankk]

If you install Steam on your SSD, but don't want to put your games there, you can create a symbolic link for the steamapps folder. It essentially creates a "shortcut" that allows you to put the physical folder in a separate place. I just installed Steam completely on another drive though.

IMO, I don't see the point of this. Just install Steam, in it's entirety, onto your larger HDD and leave it at that. None of this "symbolic link" or Steam mover shenanigans.

I have my 60GB SSD for Windows and other essentials (C🙂, and I have my 500GB HDD for the rest of my data (D🙂. My Steam installation is located in D:\Steam. That's it; no need to make it more complicated than that.

 

[Lotheron]

IMO, I don't see the point of this. Just install Steam, in it's entirety, onto your larger HDD and leave it at that. None of this "symbolic link" or Steam mover shenanigans.

I have my 60GB SSD for Windows and other essentials (C🙂, and I have my 500GB HDD for the rest of my data (D🙂. My Steam installation is located in D:\Steam. That's it; no need to make it more complicated than that.

Its great when you want the game you are playing to have ssd load times. I have my steam folder on a striped volume and the game I am currently playing on my ssd.

It's really not that difficult and more than worth it.

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