Move location where games save items?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Archgaull

Archgaull

Admirable
Nov 12, 2014
1,873
0
6,460
So, by default games will save stuff like configs in the My Documents folder. Is it possible to change this on a mass level (so I don't have to do it for every game out there)? All my games are saved on my E Drive, but the configs are saved to my C drive and it bothers me. I know I can just move the location of My Documents, but I feel like that's an inelegant solution, since it will also move everything else that depends on My Documents.
 
Solution
James Mason
You can make a Symbolic link for the save game folders:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/
The problem is every game will handle saves differently, and the above method isn't any easier or better than just moving the my documents location.
Sort by date Sort by votes
Ironsounds

Ironsounds

Champion
Jul 31, 2011
10,403
4
56,960
Hello... typically that's how they all are doing it, If it's a network connection, Windows is using that location as 'secure" data space for your whole computers and drives, and all your other APP internet activity.
I don't like the organization like that either... but it is secure and they don't have to ask you all the time "is it ok for the program to make changes to your computer" message.
Deleting all those location will run you into problems...I've tried... B )

Backing up that data/folders will be a good idea tho... for a faster re-install for some reason... get ya back playin fast if you have custom keyboard assignments.

That is where a virus/malware will create a hidden folder there to roast... do file searches into that area wilth just extension names... and you will see them and get access to the Hidden folder to View/delete them... If there BO

I found 15 GB of files in Two hidden folders on one infected computer HD... LOL
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

Distinguished
Nov 11, 2011
2,487
1
20,960



Microsoft created a folder specifically for game data called SAVED GAMES, which was Relocatable... but guess what... no one hardly used it. Game Data folders are a mess in Windows. Some developers use the newer MY GAMES folder in Documents while some others insist on create new folder at the top of your Documents or even hiding it in Program Data.

I can understand wanting to relocate off the C drive, especially if you use an SSD. On my computer I simply have my entire Documents folder relocated to Drive E.. so all my game saves are put there, too. That's good because some games like Fallout 3 or 4 takes up huge amounts of space for saves. After I completed Fallout 4, I looked at my saves and they took up over 400MB... and right now I'm on a second playthrough.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Archgaull

Archgaull

Admirable
Nov 12, 2014
1,873
0
6,460
I've already moved the My Documents to my E drive as a temporary measure (or permanent if there isn't a better one) but the reason I'd like to make them separate is so that I can keep My Documents as a folder for my actual documents, and not just a folder for my games saves, which at the moment I have to do since the My Documents folder gets so cluttered it makes it a pain to find anything quickly.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Ironsounds

Ironsounds

Champion
Jul 31, 2011
10,403
4
56,960
Hello... ah good point... keeping the files separate... What I and Others have done in the past is "create DOS command *.bat" file with Notepad... and you attach it into the Task Scheduler and set time schedule for it... or you can just run manually by double clicking on it where you saved or shortcut it... create more than one for the memory HOGs you are using.

>>> Move and Delete <<<

@echo off
path C:\
CD C:\Users\????\Documents\???? ( game folder )
COPY *.??? D:\????\???? ( NEW game folder )
DEL *.???
exit

>>> FOR Just MOVE <<<

@echo off
path C:\
CD C:\Users\????\Documents\???? ( game folder )
MOVE *.??? D:\????\???? ( NEW game folder )
exit


1) This gets created in notepad and saved as ???.bat and inserted/directed into the task Scheduler setup.
2) You can test the .bat file by running it in the Command prompt OR by double clicking on it... have your file backed up B )
3) ? need to be removed with your personal folder names and game save file extension.
4) the * needs to be used in the command line and means ALL files.
5) ( game folder ) & ( NEW game folder ) Text is not needed to be included... it is there to help guide you to fill in the blanks.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

Distinguished
Nov 11, 2011
2,487
1
20,960



There's one thing you overlooked. There's no reason you HAVE to use the default location for Documents. If you want a truly organized Documents location why not just create a custom one? Go to any location and create a folder called MY Documents or something like that and make that your new save location for your documents. For example, if you have Word installed... change the default save location to there... and it will use that instead of the one set up by windows. On my computer... I simply created a folder inside Documents called MS Office FIles (use MSN Buttterly as Icon) where all my Office files are saved too and I created another folder inside Documents called "Personal Stuff" for other misc. stuff I wish to save to my Documents. So I never have a problem with games cluttering up my documents.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
James Mason

James Mason

Titan
Jan 2, 2014
13,553
7
74,965
You can make a Symbolic link for the save game folders:
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/16226/complete-guide-to-symbolic-links-symlinks-on-windows-or-linux/
The problem is every game will handle saves differently, and the above method isn't any easier or better than just moving the my documents location.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom