How to Move Steam Games to Another Drive is a smart way to free up space, improve performance, and keep your PC organized. Whether your main drive is full or you want faster load times, shifting games to a different drive is simple. This guide shows you how to move Steam games to another drive in a clear, friendly way — even if you’re not a tech expert.
Steam makes it easy by allowing you to create new game folders on other drives. Once set up, you can move games without losing progress or reinstalling them. In this article, I’ll walk you through every step, share real tips, and explain the best method for your needs. Let’s get started!
Why You Should Move Steam Games to Another Drive
If your main drive is getting full, games can slow down or stop installing. Moving Steam games to another drive helps free up space quickly. It also keeps your computer running smoothly. Another big reason is performance: many users move games from an old HDD to a faster SSD to reduce loading time. The good news is Steam supports this officially, so you don’t risk losing your game data.
For example, I once moved a large RPG from my C drive to an SSD. It cut loading time by half and gave me more space for other apps. If you play many games, moving them can make your PC feel new again. Plus, it helps you manage storage without deleting anything.
What You Need Before Moving Steam Games
Before you start, make sure your new drive has enough free space. Most modern games are big, sometimes 50GB or more. So check the file size first. Also, your Steam app must be updated to the latest version. This prevents errors and makes the process smoother.
Another important thing is backup. It’s smart to back up your game saves, especially for RPGs or long story games. Steam usually stores saves automatically, but it’s still good to be safe. You can use cloud saves or copy the save folder manually.
Create a New Steam Library Folder on Another Drive
To move games, you first need a new Steam Library folder on the new drive. Here’s how:
- Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings.
- Click Downloads.
- Select Steam Library Folders.
- Click Add Library Folder.
- Choose your new drive and create a folder like SteamLibrary.
This tells Steam where to move or install games next. It’s easy and takes only a minute.
Move Steam Games to Another Drive (Official Method)
Now you can move your games safely using Steam’s built-in tool:
- Go to your Library.
- Right-click the game you want to move.
- Select Properties.
- Click Local Files.
- Choose Move Install Folder.
- Pick the new drive folder you created.
- Click Move.
Steam will transfer the game files without reinstalling. It keeps your saves and settings intact. This method is the safest and easiest way to move Steam games to another drive.
How Long Does Moving Steam Games Take
The time depends on the game size and drive speed. Small games can move in 5–10 minutes. Large games can take 30 minutes or more. SSDs move faster than HDDs. If you move multiple games at once, expect longer time.
A good trick is to move games overnight. Steam continues running, and you can wake up to extra space and faster performance. Just don’t turn off your PC while the move is in progress.
What If Steam Shows “Move Install Folder” Not Available?
Sometimes Steam may not show the “Move Install Folder” option. This usually happens if:
- Your Steam client is outdated
- The game is currently running
- You have no new library folder added
- Your drive is not formatted correctly
To fix this, update Steam, close the game, and add a new library folder again. If the issue continues, restart Steam or your computer.
Best Drive to Move Steam Games To (SSD vs HDD)
If you want faster load times, move games to an SSD. SSDs are much faster than HDDs, so games load quickly and run smoother. But SSDs are usually smaller and more expensive.
HDDs are great for storing large game libraries because they offer more space at a lower price. If you have a huge library, use an HDD for storage and an SSD for your most played games. This is the best balance.
How to Move Steam Games to Another Drive Without Reinstalling
Steam’s “Move Install Folder” is the best way to avoid reinstalling. But if you want a manual method:
- Close Steam completely.
- Copy the game folder from Steam\steamapps\common.
- Paste it into the new drive’s Steam library folder.
- Open Steam and click Install on the game.
- Steam will detect the existing files and verify them.
This method is a bit advanced but works if Steam fails. Just make sure you keep the folder structure exactly the same.
How to Move Steam Games to Another Drive on Mac
Mac users can also move Steam games easily:
- Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings.
- Click Downloads.
- Add a new Steam library folder on your external drive.
- Right-click the game and choose Properties.
- Select Move Install Folder.
This works just like Windows. The key is to use a drive formatted for Mac, like APFS or HFS+.
Best Practices After Moving Steam Games
After moving, check the game works properly. Launch it and test the load time. If the game runs fine, you’re good. If not, verify game files:
- Right-click the game
- Click Properties
- Go to Local Files
- Click Verify Integrity of Game Files
This fixes missing or damaged files. It’s a great way to avoid crashes after moving games.
Real Example — My Experience Moving Steam Games
I once had only 20GB left on my main drive. I moved a 60GB game to my new SSD. It took about 15 minutes and the game loaded twice as fast. The best part? I didn’t lose any progress or settings.
If you’re worried about losing data, Steam makes it safe and simple. It’s like moving a folder from one drive to another. The game still works the same, just on a different drive.
Conclusion
Moving Steam games to another drive is a great way to manage space and improve performance. Steam’s built-in tools make it safe and easy, even for beginners. With a few clicks, you can free up your main drive and enjoy faster game loading.
Try moving your biggest games first, especially those you play often. If you follow the steps above, you’ll get more storage and a smoother gaming experience.
FAQs
1. Can I move Steam games to another drive without reinstalling?
Yes! Steam’s Move Install Folder tool lets you move games without reinstalling. It keeps your game saves and settings safe.
2. Will moving Steam games delete my saves?
No. Steam stores save files separately. Moving the game won’t delete your progress.
3. Can I move Steam games from HDD to SSD?
Absolutely. Moving to an SSD improves loading times and performance. It’s one of the best upgrades you can do.
4. What happens if the new drive is full?
Steam will stop the move and show an error. Make sure you have enough space before starting.
5. Can I move Steam games back to the original drive?
Yes. You can move games back anytime using the same Move Install Folder tool.
