You may want to move Steam games to another drive if your C Drive is running low on space. C is the primary drive on most PCs and laptops and is also the default game library of Steam. There is nothing wrong with downloading games on C drive, however, over time, the games might take too much space and require immediate game library management.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to move Steam games to another drive and other related concepts.
You can watch the video or continue reading the article below:
Here’s what we will cover:
- Why move Steam games to a different drive?
- How to move Steam games to a different drive?
- Some tips for a smooth transition
Why move Steam games to a different drive?
Before moving further, let us discuss why you should move Steam games to a different drive:
- Free up space: As already discussed, transferring Steam games to a different drive frees up space on the current drive. C drive holds some important files of the Windows operating system and essential applications. Moving games to another drive frees up space for these critical components to work seamlessly.
- Enhanced performance: SSDs offer faster read/write speeds compared to traditional HDDs. Moving games to an SSD can significantly improve loading ties and overall performance.
- Organised library: Distributing games across multiple drives helps in managing your library better and avoiding clutter on a single drive.
- Preventing fragmentation: Games can cause significant fragmentation on a drive, slowing down system performance. Storing them separately helps mitigate this issue.
Also read: How to check Steam storage space on Windows 11?
How to move Steam games to a different drive?
Now that we have understood why to move Steam games to a different drive, let us learn the steps:
Step 1: Open Steam and then click on the Steam icon at the top left corner of the screen. After that, select Storage from the drop-down menu.
Step 2: Now, select Storage from the left panel and then select Drive panel at the top to open the list of drives on your computer. Select the drive where the games are installed.
Step 3: Now, select the game that you want to transfer and then check mark the box beside it.
Step 4: Now, select the drive and press Move. This will transfer the selected game to that drive.
Also read: How to fix Steam error 29?
Some tips for a smooth transition
Sometimes, transferring Steam game files to another drive may cause disruption. So, here are some tips for a smooth transition of game files.
- Backup saved game files: Always back up your saved game files before moving games, just in case something goes wrong.
- Check drive space: Ensure the target drive has enough space to accommodate the game files.
- Regular maintenance: Regularly clean up and defragment your drives to maintain optimal performance.
In conclusion, you can easily move Steam files to another drive by following the four steps that we have given above. Do follow the tips for a seamless transfer.
Also read: Fix: Steam game won’t stop running even after it’s closed
