What is the best way to transfer Steam games to another computer without downloading them? (2024)

What is the best way to transfer Steam games to another computer without downloading them? (2)

There are two ways to transfer Steam games to another computer without downloading them:

  1. Use Steam’s backup and restore feature. This is the easiest way to transfer Steam games, but it requires you to have enough storage space on the new computer to store the backup files.
  2. On the old computer, open Steam and go to Steam > Backup and Restore Games.
  3. Click Backup Games and select the games you want to transfer.
  4. Click Next and select a location to save the backup files.
  5. Click Backup and wait for the process to complete.
  6. On the new computer, install Steam and login with the same account you used on the old computer.
  7. Go to Steam > Backup and Restore Games and click Restore a previous backup.
  8. Select the backup file you created on the old computer and click Next.
  9. Click Restore and wait for the process to complete.
  10. Copy the game files manually. This is a more complicated way to transfer Steam games, but it doesn’t require you to have enough storage space on the new computer.
  11. On the old computer, find the Steam game files. The default location is:
  • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common
  • Mac: /Users/[username]/Library/Application Support/Steam/steamapps/common
  1. Copy the game files to a USB drive or other portable storage device.
  2. Connect the USB drive or other portable storage device to the new computer.
  3. On the new computer, install Steam and login with the same account you used on the old computer.
  4. Open Steam and go to Library.
  5. Right-click on the game you want to install and select Install.
  6. Click Local Files and select the game files you copied from the old computer.
  7. Click Next and wait for the process to complete.

I hope this helps!

What is the best way to transfer Steam games to another computer without downloading them? (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to transfer Steam games to another computer without downloading them? ›

Navigate to your Steam client 'Settings' menu. Open the 'Storage' tab. Select the drive where the games you wish to move are located. Select the games you wish to move, and click 'Move'

How to move Steam games without redownloading? ›

Navigate to your Steam client 'Settings' menu. Open the 'Storage' tab. Select the drive where the games you wish to move are located. Select the games you wish to move, and click 'Move'

How do I download Steam games from another computer? ›

If a potential PC is found, your client will ask the Steam backend server to contact that other PC's Steam client and start a game file transfer if local network transfers are enabled and possible. If the game file transfer is accepted, your PC will try to download as much content as possible from the other PC.

How do I move the entire Steam library to another drive? ›

Launch Steam and navigate to the "Settings" option. From there, select the "Downloads" category and click on "Steam Library Folders." At the top of the screen, you'll see a plus symbol. Click on it and select the drive where you want to create the new library folder.

Can I install Steam games without downloading them again? ›

When you want to play the game, yes (you don't have to download it right away if you don't want to, and you can delete it and re-download whenever you need to). Steam isn't a game streaming service or anything like that; you still have to have the game installed locally to play it.

How do I move Steam games to SSD without reinstalling? ›

  1. Go to Steam > Settings.
  2. click on Downloads.
  3. Click on steam libary folders.
  4. click on the + symbol.
  5. select the folder in the drive you want to use then.
  6. click on OK.
  7. now for each and every game you want to move follow these steps. right click on the game title. click on properties. click on local files.
Mar 30, 2023

Is it possible to reinstall Steam without losing game data? ›

If reinstalling Steam and Steam games in the near future, please move the steamapps folder (C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps) outside of the Steam directory to prevent your games from being deleted. Additionally, backups of all game content can be created for reinstallation.

How to transfer files from PC to PC? ›

Transfer cables are a tried-and-tested method for transferring files between two PCs that are relatively close together (for example, on the same desk). All you have to do is connect your cable to both PCs via the appropriate ports (usually USB), then use the cable's built-in software to transfer your files.

How to make a copy of a Steam game? ›

Here is the procedure :
  1. Go to your Steam > Backup and restore games.
  2. Click the Backup an installed game button.
  3. Choose the game you want to share.
  4. Choose a location to backup the game files.
  5. Choose file size, if you have a big size USB pendrive, choose custom and. ...
  6. Start backup.
  7. Copy backup folders to your friends PC.
Dec 9, 2023

Can you just move Steam folder to another drive? ›

Open your Computer drive where the Steam folder is located. Select C: > Program Files(x86) > Steam. Right-click your Steam folder, copy it, and paste it to another drive. You can either delete the previous folder or rename it for future use.

Can you copy Steam games onto a USB? ›

The answer is YES, of course, you can. Installing Steam games on a flash drive is a feasible and effective solution to free up more storage space on your computer.

How do I transfer game files to another drive? ›

Method 1. Manually Move PC Games to Another Drive - Microsoft Solution
  1. Go to Settings, click "Apps", and select "Apps & features".
  2. Find the games that you downloaded from the Microsoft App store, click it, and select "Move".
  3. Click the drop list to select a new drive (such as D), and click "Move".
Dec 7, 2023

Can I uninstall and reinstall Steam games without losing games? ›

If you don't want to lose any game data: delete all files and folders in /Steam EXCEPT FOR the /SteamApps folder (this contains your game downloads and any local save files.) If you're removing all Steam data from your computer: delete the entire Steam folder.

Can I play my Steam games offline? ›

Offline Mode allows you to play games through Steam without having an active connection to the Steam Network. This feature is useful when you have limited or no internet access.

How do I manually move games on Steam? ›

Games Library:
  1. In your Steam games list, right-click the game you want to move and select Properties…
  2. In the pop up window, select Local Files in the sidebar menu, and then click Move install folder….
  3. In the new window select the drive you want to move the game to from the dropdown menu and click Move.
Jun 13, 2023

How do I copy Steam games without backup? ›

How do I restore Steam games without backup?
  1. Press on the Windows key, type Steam, and open the app.
  2. Go to the Steam Store.
  3. Note the game's URL, especially the number attached to it.
  4. Locate the original steamapps directory; it has the number you noted above.
  5. Copy and paste the appmanifest file in the new steamapps.
Oct 4, 2023

How to move Steam from C drive to D drive? ›

Open your Computer drive where the Steam folder is located. Select C: > Program Files(x86) > Steam. Right-click your Steam folder, copy it, and paste it to another drive. You can either delete the previous folder or rename it for future use.

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