Reinstalling Windows - Steam Question

[joelk2]

So i plan to reinstall windows from scratch.

complete re install.

with games do you think its worth taking a copy of the steam folder? or just reinstall them (my internet is good so im not really worried about downloading them again)

what happens with saves, are they stored locally or does steam back them up?

 

[joelk2]

Personally I just backup the entire steam folder then reinstall steam over the top. The installed games will need to run through their setup again when you launch them again for the first time but no need to re-download.

Backing up the save games from documents is worth while if you've got a game you mind losing progress in.

there is only a couple of games i dont want to lose progress on but still ill back them up.

gunna be a fun job reinstalling it all.

 

[joelk2]

On a brighter note, it will all be fresh and fast once reinstalled I usually format and reinstall Windows every 2 months on average.

its not running slow, but it seems cluttered an i think a fresh version might be worth it.

gunna buy myself a copy of Win10 while im at it.

 

[joelk2]

cheers for the responses chaps, all went well in the end. its not as laborious as it used to be as i install from a usb and onto an ssd.

having an issue with my keyboard now though, i have to unplug it and plug it back in whenever i start windows.

 

[joelk2]

A bit late now but you don't need to re-download Steam itself. Just copy the entire folder and then run the Steam app from within it after you've reinstalled Windows. It will download and set up all the bits and bobs it needs. You might want to do a Take Ownership on the folder before you do this to make sure file permissions are okay but you can often get away without it.

i copied the saves and redownloaded the games (like many i own many games but play only a few)

but its nice starting a fresh.

i ended up buying an oem windows 10 and whacking that straight on.