How do I back up my HDD without my steam games?

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

I am currently looking at HDDs to buy. I could buy a 1.5-2TB HDD to backup my entire computer, or I could buy a 500GB-750TB HDD to back up my entire computer without my steam games.

I assume this is possible, as I've seen similar things done before, but I was wondering if anyone could explain to show me a place that would explain how to do this.

My steam library is about 600GB and my C: drive without steam is about 250GB. All my saved games are saved on the steam cloud, so losing a game in a backup would not affect me, plus its only a game.

Side note: if you have a HDD recommendation, I'd gladly like to hear it.

Thank you!

TLDR:
I would like to save money and HDD space by only backing up my C: drive without my steam games. Can you tell me how to do so?

Arlen10 · Jun 1, 2015

Pepto :

You can get a 2TB hard drive here for $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5AD2U46667

Refurbished though.

If you want to delete all your steam games, go to IOBIT Uninstaller and download their program. Then select batch uninstall and remove all your games. Copy your hard drive with macrium reflect. Insert your new hard drive. copy it over. Then boot off your new hard drive and format your old one.

Cozzy258 · Jun 1, 2015

go to computer - > C drive -> program files or program files (x86) . check both to find out which - > steam I'm not to sure on how to exclude folders from a backup but if you just dont back up that folder then your games wont be backed up

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

Cozzy258 :

If you are unsure of how to do it, why are you instructing the user on how to kind of not do it?

Cozzy258 · Jun 1, 2015

USAFRet :

I was just sharing the information I could, sorry I didn't mean to cause confusion

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

OP...let's investigate what you're actually wanting to do.

In your market, is there a significant price difference between a 750GB and a 2TB drive?
What is your data worth?

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

Arlen10 :

Pepto :

You can get a 2TB hard drive here for $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5AD2U46667

Refurbished though.

If you want to delete all your steam games, go to IOBIT Uninstaller and download their program. Then select batch uninstall and remove all your games. Copy your hard drive with macrium reflect. Insert your new hard drive. copy it over. Then boot off your new hard drive and format your old one.

I want to backup my harddrive as it is without uninstalling all 600GB of my games

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

USAFRet :

My motherboard only supports a maximum of 3TB (I already have 2TB), that is why.

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

Pepto :

If it is all on the same C partition, your options are limited.

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

USAFRet :

There isn't a way to exclude the steam directory folder from being backed up in any way? Tell me my options. If its complicated, I would still try it.

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

Pepto :

USAFRet :

There isn't a way to exclude the steam directory folder from being backed up in any way? Tell me my options. If its complicated, I would still try it.

What software are you wanting to use to 'back up'?
Does it give any option like that?

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

Any programs that would work really. I am not using a particular one, I have never backed up my current computer once. This is its first back up. 3rd party applications are fine, so long as I can restore my computer from my back up drive if my C: fails.

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

Pepto :

Well...I've not seen anything that allows you to exclude individual folder trees.

How large is your current drive, and how much actual space is used?

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

USAFRet :

My current HDD is 2TB, single drive, and about 850GB is used.

I think I may have found something to help me after a bit of digging.
http://superuser.com/questions/232510/how-do-i-exclude-directories-from-my-windows-7-backup

USAFRet · Jun 1, 2015

Pepto :

USAFRet :

My current HDD is 2TB, single drive, and about 850GB is used.

I think I may have found something to help me after a bit of digging.
http://superuser.com/questions/232510/how-do-i-exclude-directories-from-my-windows-7-backup

Or, you could just get a slightly larger drive.

Pepto · Jun 1, 2015

USAFRet :

The most I could get is 1TB, and even then, I DO NOT want my steam games backed up. Because if I back up my entire computer then 600GB will be wasted on backing up games when it could be used to back up more important files that I cannot simply reinstall. I am thinking of the future, and wanting to back up future files, so I need that 600GB for more important stuff than games.

I've figured it out myself. Thanks for the help

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