How to Move Steam Games to Another PC without Redownloading?
Are you tired of re-downloading your Steam games every time you switch to a new computer? Moving your Steam games to another PC can be a tedious process, but it’s definitely possible without re-downloading them. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of transferring your Steam games to a new computer without the hassle of re-downloading.
Local Network Game Transfers
One of the simplest ways to transfer your Steam games to a new PC is through local network game transfers. This method allows you to copy your existing Steam game installation and update files from one PC to another over a local area network.
To initiate the transfer, follow these steps:
- Open the Steam client on both PCs and make sure they are connected to the same local network.
- On the PC from which you want to transfer the games, go to the Steam settings and click on the "Storage" tab.
- Select the drive where the games you want to transfer are located.
- Click on the "Move" button to initiate the transfer.
The transfer process will take some time, depending on the size of your Steam library and the speed of your network. Once the transfer is complete, you can access your games on the new PC without re-downloading them.
Manual Transfer using an External Hard Drive
Another option for transferring your Steam games is to use an external hard drive. This method is a bit more labor-intensive, but it provides more flexibility and control over the transfer process.
Here’s how to transfer your Steam games using an external hard drive:
- Connect the external hard drive to the PC from which you want to transfer the games.
- Open the file explorer and navigate to the "Steam" folder, which is usually located in the "Documents" folder.
- Copy the "SteamApps" folder to the external hard drive.
- Disconnect the external hard drive and connect it to the new PC.
- Open the file explorer and navigate to the "Steam" folder on the external hard drive.
- Paste the "SteamApps" folder into the "Documents" folder on the new PC.
Once the files are transferred, you can access your games on the new PC without re-downloading them.
Local Transfer using Steam’s built-in feature
Steam has a built-in feature that allows you to transfer games between PCs without re-downloading them. This feature is available in the Steam settings, under the "Cloud" tab.
Here’s how to use Steam’s built-in feature:
- Open the Steam client and navigate to the "Settings" menu.
- Click on the "Cloud" tab.
- Click on the "Download and Play Anywhere" button.
- Click on the "Allow Remote Play" button.
- Click on the "Local Network" tab.
- Click on the "Create a Local Network" button.
- Follow the instructions to create a local network and transfer your games to the new PC.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure to backup your Steam library before transferring it to a new PC, in case something goes wrong during the transfer process.
- Use a fast external hard drive or SSD to speed up the transfer process.
- Make sure both PCs are connected to the same local network for local transfers.
- Use Steam’s built-in feature to transfer games between PCs, it’s a faster and easier way to transfer your games.
Conclusion
Transferring your Steam games to a new PC can be a daunting task, but it’s definitely possible without re-downloading them. By using local network game transfers, manual transfers using an external hard drive, or Steam’s built-in feature, you can easily transfer your games to a new PC and continue playing without interruption. Follow the steps outlined in this article to ensure a smooth transfer process and enjoy playing your favorite games on your new PC.