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    How do i make steam install games to a different location?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by tangent, Jul 13, 2008.

  1. tangent

    tangent Notebook Evangelist

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    Im trying to install Unreal tournament 2004 but i know the disk that steam is on doesn't have enough room for that plus extra maps, but i cant figure out how to make it install on my other partition. I tryed a google search and steam support, no help, you would think this would be easy to do... any ideas?
     
    tangent, Jul 13, 2008
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  2. Acorn

    Acorn Notebook Evangelist

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    Umm im not sure about changing where steam games installs to but cant you just relocate more space to the drive steam is on? Much simpler... :D
     
    Acorn, Jul 13, 2008
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  3. tangent

    tangent Notebook Evangelist

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    i would have to deal with the partitions, which is risky business (right?... i have only delt with partitions once), it should be easier to just tell steam to install on the empty one...
     
    tangent, Jul 13, 2008
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  4. aan310

    aan310 Notebook Virtuoso

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    well, i would just copy the steam folder over to the other partition. i have used the same steam folder (seperate parttion) in both vista 64x and xp pro, and diddnt have to reinstall. steam jsu runs from that foler.
     
    aan310, Jul 13, 2008
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  5. tangent

    tangent Notebook Evangelist

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    thanks guys, i found the answer. just in case anyone else wants to know, here is what the support page (which has a terrible search feature) says:

    Moving Your Steam Installation
    Warning:

    It is highly recommended that you create a backup of your SteamApps folder before attempting this process. Neglecting to do so may result in a loss of all of your game content should something go wrong.

    If you're low on space on the drive you have Steam installed, you can move the Steam folder to a different location. Here's an example of how to move the Steam installation between two hard drives:

    1. Log out and exit Steam
    2. Navigate to the folder where Steam is installed (by default: C:\Program Files\Steam\)
    3. Delete all of the files and folders except the SteamApps folder and Steam.exe
    4. Cut and paste your Steam folder to the new location, for example: D:\Games\Steam\
    5. Launch Steam
    6. Steam will briefly update and then you will be ready to play
    7. All future game content will be downloaded to the new folder D:\Games\Steam\SteamApps\


    EDIT: That worked (after like 30 mins...) you just delete everything but the exe plus the steamapps folder, next time you restart steam it realizes the files are missing and updates them to the new location. Pretty good programing that it can do that... but stupid that you cant choose download location.
     
    tangent, Jul 13, 2008
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  6. Rorschach

    Rorschach Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    I just save my games on my usb HDD. That way I can reinstall steam anytime I need to.

    He might have installed everything on the wrong partion to start with and now wants it moved. I have 3 partitions, 1 for the os and other assorted programs 2 for games and a 3rd small partition I use for my cache.
     
    Rorschach, Jul 13, 2008
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