New Computer + Steam

Jock · 27 Jul 2012 at 11:41

I've got a new computer on order and got a quick query regarding steam.

How exactly does it work if you have anew computer, do you simply log into your account and re-download all your games? This may be compunded by the fact I'm keeping the old computer so it would mean effectively the games are on both computers.

Also if you do re-download on to a new computer how does it work in terms of saved games, would you need to start from scratch. Not that bothered about most games but say Trine 2 which i recently bough, would i have to start from the beginning?

Thanks

kilohawk · 27 Jul 2012 at 11:46

You can back up your steam games by using steams back-up feature and an external HDD.
you then re-install them to your new PC.

Or, you can do it your way and just re-download them, which is probably the easiest option if you have a large download allowance and fast internet

don't forget to back up the saved game data too!

Jock · 27 Jul 2012 at 11:50

Is there some sort of utility to back up all your steam saved game data or do you need to do whatever it is to each individual game?

bignev72 · 27 Jul 2012 at 11:58

I normally copy all the steam data and my saved games across (these are normally in your documents folder but this can vary).

You can then click download/verify game data within Steam and it will make the game available without downloading.

Woogie · 27 Jul 2012 at 12:00

Steam Cloud if it is enabled for the game you want. Steam can save the games in several locations depending on the game (steam folder or documents and settings)

Just backup your entire steam folder to a second hard drive and if in doubt google where your save files are for the games via steam.

When you log into the new PC for the first time Steam will detect a new pc and ask you to get a code from your registered email to activate steam on that computer so if you do not have access to that account anymore make sure you change it before you change computers.

Jock · 27 Jul 2012 at 12:00

In terms of the saves it only applies to a handfull of games, so you just looks where they are currently saved and simply put them in the same location but on the new computer?

Sounds easy enough.

Thanks

Raumarik · 27 Jul 2012 at 12:02

It tends to save on the cloud, steam folder or your documents folder depending on the game. However if you've redirected your document folder for any reason then it could be in the original path rather than the redirected one.

My docs are redirected to D:\ yet I've seen a few steam games save in c:\users etc.