As long as you’re updating your hardware on your computer, you don’t have to uninstall your existing Steam and reinstall all games from scratch. You can transfer your games to another computer using a few simple and not-so-so methods.
Please make sure you have a Steam username and password before starting this method. If you have any problems with your password, then we recommend that you check the connection of your Steam account with any of your email. Moreover, we also do not recommend that you install Steam on an external hard drive, as this can cause many problems in the future.
Step # 1 Creating a backup of game files
Before transferring Steam to your new computer, you need to back up every game in your library. If something goes wrong during the installation, then you can always simply recover.
However, keep in mind that many of the games use third-party applications and installers to work. If you have games of this kind, then the backup will definitely not work on them. This is especially true for MMO games, as they often only work with some kind of additional programs or launchers.
A backup created on Steam will not include your custom maps, saves, or config files. If you want to keep everything described, then go to the directory C: Program Files Steam SteamApps common
- / cfg / – configuration files
- / downloads / – possible location of files related to multiplayer game
- / maps / – custom maps that are used for multiplayer mode
- / materials / – this folder can contain custom skins and textures
- / SAVE / – save for single player
After you copy these files and make the necessary backups, then you will need to return them to their original location.
- Open your Steam client and head to the Library tab. It will contain all of your purchased games.
- Right-click on the game you want and select “Back up …”.
- In the next window, select all the games you want to backup.
- Next, you need to choose where this entire backup will be saved. Choose the place from which it will be easiest for you to get to them.
- Steam will now ask you to choose between CD and DVD copy. If you have an external drive or USB storage, then we recommend that you use a DVD.
- After the end of the backup process, go to the previously specified directory where the backup of your games should have been saved, and transfer it to an external media.
Step # 2 Moving Steam Files
Due to the fact that we have already backed up all the games you need, if something suddenly goes wrong, then you can proceed to the next step – moving Steam to another computer.
- Click on the keyboard Windows + R…
- Please enter taskmgr and press Enter.
- End in the Task Manager all processes that will be connected Steam Client Bootstrapper.
- Once all processes are complete, navigate to your Steam client directory. By default, it is located on partition C.
- Find the following files and folders:
- SteamApps – folder
- Userdata – folder
- Steam.exe – executive file
- Delete everything from the Steam folder except as specified above.
- Copy the remaining folders and files to external storage and move them to the new computer on which you will install Steam.
- Start Steam using Administrator privileges and log into your account using your username and password.
What if an error appears?
You may face an error on Steam if you start moving some files in it, which is associated with some technical difficulties. But do not worry, because in this case we have a list of actions that will help you get out of this situation. First of all, you need to completely uninstall your Steam so that we can reinstall it later. There are two ways to remove it: through the Control Panel and through the Windows Registry Editor.
We recommend that you use the Control Panel. If some error appears there, you can use the method with the Registry Editor.
Uninstalling Steam via Control Panel
- Complete all processes of the Steam client, as already shown in the previous paragraphs of the article.
- Go to your Steam directory.
- Move the folder SteamApps to your desktop or any other point convenient for you, and then delete it from the Steam folder.
- Click on the keyboard Windows + R, write control panel and press Enter.
- Go to “Programs and Features”.
- Find Steam in the list of installed programs and uninstall it.
Uninstalling Steam through Windows Registry Editor
When we deal with the Registry, we need to be very careful not to damage anything there. If this is done, then the entire performance of the entire system may be disrupted.
- First, delete all files from your Steam root folder.
- Click on the keyboard Windows + R, write in regedit and press Enter.
- Go to the directory:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Valve – for 32-bit systems.
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE Wow6432Node Valve – for 64-bit systems.
- Right click on Valve and select “Delete”.
- Close Windows Registry Editor.
Step # 3 Install Steam
Since we have already uninstalled Steam again, it’s time to start reinstalling Steam again. You shouldn’t have any problems with this. If you backed up the games as indicated in the previous paragraphs of the article, then you can easily restore the games without downloading them.
- After installing the client on your computer, click on the Steam button in the upper left corner of the window.
- From the context menu, select “Back up and restore games …”.
- You will be presented with two choices. Select “Recover from backup”.
- After that, Steam will ask you to specify the directory where the backups of the games will be located. Once you do this, Steam will automatically find the game and start the process. Also be aware that the client may download some small files or folders from the network during this process in order to complete the recovery process.