Is it possible to export/import steam games?

FlyingFish · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:19

Might be an easy answer, but is there an easy way (or even a utility) that will export games out of my steam folder to a backup drive (portable hdd) and then when I fancy playing them again just import the data/game back in?

My Steam folder is taking up big space on my ssd, and uninstalling games means a massive wait to download them again on my mediocre broadband

Cheers
Mick

MrAdamski · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:28

You can copy the main game folder in your Steam directory to the external drive then uninstall the game (backup save data too for extra precaution if you want it). Then when you want to play it, copy the folder back into the directory, select the game in Steam to 'download' then make sure you choose the directory where you copied it (if you have more than 1 for your steam downloads), it should discover your existing data and cut a download to either none or very little (plus any game updates since you last had it).

Hope this helps

Sin_Chase · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:33

Plenty of tools to symlink games to another location

GameSavemanager, Steam Mover, DirLinker etc

Finners · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:45

Can do as MrAdam said or if you would prefer a single file

Just goto steam>backup and restore games>Back up Currently installed games>Select game you want> Select location> Seclect file size "custom" and make it big enough so its only 1 file> Job done

FlyingFish · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:47

Cheers, just downloading steam mover, and will try that

FlyingFish · 18 Jan 2014 at 22:49

Finners said:
Can do as MrAdam said or if you would prefer a single file

Just goto steam>backup and restore games>Back up Currently installed games>Select game you want> Select location> Seclect file size "custom" and make it big enough so its only 1 file> Job done

Didnt even know that feature was there! So once Ive backed up the game/s I can then just unistall them and then install them from the backup?

Finners · 18 Jan 2014 at 23:01

FlyingFish said:
Didnt even know that feature was there! So once Ive backed up the game/s I can then just unistall them and then install them from the backup?

yep just go to Steam>back up and restore games> restore from back up> Select file location

Job done!

Sin_Chase · 18 Jan 2014 at 23:02

Yup, Steam backup is a good (and native) option if you just want to store and then re-install.

Fenris · 18 Jan 2014 at 23:08

Yeah its called copy/paste.

Just copy the game folder to your backup drive > uninstall, then game then move it back > install when you want to play it again.

Teaf · 18 Jan 2014 at 23:15

Fenris said:
Yeah its called copy/paste.

Just copy the game folder to your backup drive > uninstall, then game then move it back > install when you want to play it again.

This.

When you install it again it'll just pick up existing files and you'll either have nothing or very little to download (depending on patches).