After a widows reinstall will game folder still work?

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Soldato
Joined
3 Dec 2004
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2,639
Hi all,

I've always been a bit confused by this;

I keep my games on a separate harddrive from my main OS install. If I were to reinstall the OS (winXP) would the games still work (obviously the drive letters would remain the same).

I know in the past i've had the exact problem where games would not start and in the end I had to reinstall all my stuff + mods etc. I think i remember correctly nothing worked except Steam? Is there any precautions you could take to ensure game playability is carried over to new install?

Cheers,
 
Depends on the game. Some games install entirely to the folder, world of warcraft for example. Most also install registry entries and folders in your my documents folder too though. Easiest thing to do is reinstall the game, then copy the save game folder across (or the entire game folder if you want to be sure).

For steam, just reinstall steam and then copy the steamapps folder from your old disk.
 
I don't think they would work because the install process changes registry settings and such like.

I store all of my games on a separate HDD and when it comes to me having to reinstall Windows I simply rename the current folders(for example from 'Crysis' to 'Crysis 2') and then after installing the game I rename 'Crysis 2' back to 'Crysis' and delete the freshly installed folder. Doing this keeps any mods, saves and whatever else you may have installed so that you don't have to install them again.

It would be worth backing up your docs folder because some games store saves and setup settings in there.
 
Most games will in my experience, although the odd few rely on files outside of their install folder and so may not work. In those cases, you will need to re-install from the disc, but because the majority of the files are already there it should only take a moment because it skips any files that already exist.
 
I found with steam you just reinstall the client over the top of your existing steam folder and all is hunky-dory.
 
a lot of games seem to run ok without reinstaling especially if using a nocd patch which helps a lot. First thing I look for after installing a game. Just need to remember to back up save game profiles in user / my docs folder.
 
steam games tend to be fine (especially valve ones)

things like CoH will just reinstall the things it needs before you run it for the first time on a new install
 
Its dead easy to get this working , only retards re-install their games after re-installing their OS

After you install a game to your games HD , go into the registry and export any registry keys to do with the game
HKLM
HKCU
Usually \software\ name of game

Store these keys on the HD with your game , some games also want keys from

HKLM\software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Export these , that way when you re-install your OS , your just merge the keys in and all is well.

I have had games that have survived 5-6 different PC builds
 
A lot of games will work, however the real problem comes if you need to install a new patch for the game, as patch installers typically rely on the registry and thus don't know that the game is installed.
 
I re-installed windows 7 a few weeks back and 95% of my games worked :) Only FEARCombat didn't as it wouldn't accept the latest patch = no online play. But apart from that everything has been fine including steam.
 
Hunders said:
Yes, us retards and our inability to faff around with registry BS.
Click to expand...

I know regedit can be a bit difficult to none technically minded people
BUT you can always try and learn , after all a day where you dont learn anything new is a bad one

Quick guide for regedit use here
http://www.windowsmaven.com/How_to_use_regeditl.htm

HangTime
You are correct some patches will say "Game not installed"
IF you run them without either the HKLM\software\name of game set or the
HKLM\software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall
Tho from monitoring registry API calls its usually the above key
 
derkaderka said:
Its dead easy to get this working , only retards re-install their games after re-installing their OS

After you install a game to your games HD , go into the registry and export any registry keys to do with the game
HKLM
HKCU
Usually \software\ name of game

Store these keys on the HD with your game , some games also want keys from

HKLM\software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

Export these , that way when you re-install your OS , your just merge the keys in and all is well.

I have had games that have survived 5-6 different PC builds
Click to expand...

Are these compatible across versions of windows? Eg if I export the keys from XP will they work in Win7?
 
frankmcg said:
Are these compatible across versions of windows? Eg if I export the keys from XP will they work in Win7?
Click to expand...

The key layout is pretty similar between the two , I have used a few of my
games on windows 7 that I used on XP ( I triple boot) , they worked ok when keys merged.
 
99% of recent PC games will work as they just recreate any missing settings anyway. Some with online Securom activation like Crysis Warhead do not work at all and you will need to contact EA support (takes about 3 working days) as they have to provide another activation key.
 
grid works fine m8 :)
vista/win7
was installed on my vista,then i done duel boot with win7 and it worked :)
 
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