Moved Steam Games To Another Hard Drive, Not Showing In Library

Starspiker · Mar 9, 2017

Recently, I had to transfer all of my steam games and other files in an emergency computer issue, so I was unable to change the steam directories properly. When I got my PC running again, I changed the steam library directory to the file with the games, but they are not showing up in the library, just telling me to install them again... Why would this be?

Koolstr · Mar 9, 2017

What is the folder in which they are stored in called? My external HD library is recognized, and I kept the directory layout the same. As in, my external games are stored in SteamLibrary>steamapps>common.

Starspiker · Mar 9, 2017

My steam program is in A:\ which is my OS partition of my hard drive, and my games are in D:\

My library folders is D:\Steam2 (Which is where the games are in) They're in there, but aren't recognized by steam

USAFRet · Mar 9, 2017

Starspiker :

1. You really, really shouldn't use A for a drive letter, especially for the OS.

2. Whatever drive and folder these are on, have you told the Steam client about it?
If so, how did you do this?

Starspiker · Mar 9, 2017

I had an incident where Windows would not boot, so in atempt to save some game files, I copied them all to my second hard drive. I was not able to do this in Steam, but in the file explorer. I set the game library to the folder the games are in, it's just that steam wont recognize that they're there.

USAFRet · Mar 9, 2017

Starspiker :

And how, specifically, did you inform Steam of this new location?
And which folders, exactly, did you copy over?

Koolstr · Mar 9, 2017

Starspiker :

I highly suggest not using A as a drive letter, just to note.

Try renaming your folder structure to mine and then try adding the folder to your steam library again.

Starspiker · Mar 9, 2017

I copied just the game folders. I didn't really inform Steam as I couldn't

USAFRet · Mar 9, 2017

Starspiker :

In your current Steam client:

Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder - This folder being where they are now.

USAFRet · Mar 9, 2017

And you really, really need to do a whole OS reinstall, and not use the A as the drive letter.

Really.

Koolstr · Mar 10, 2017

USAFRet :

I wonder, is it possible to use a partition manager like AOMEI Partition Assistant to change the drive letter of the partition on which the OS itself is installed?

Koolstr · Mar 10, 2017

Starspiker :

This entire time, I was presuming that you did add them to your Steam Library in the standard/correct manner.... Follow the instructions given by USAFRet to add the folder appropriately.

USAFRet · Mar 10, 2017

Koolstr :

No, you cannot do that.
If you try, then you WILL have to do a full reinstall.

Starspiker · Mar 10, 2017

I changed the game directory files just the way you said, but they're not appearing in the Library. All the game's files are there, the library is set to the file they're in

USAFRet · Mar 10, 2017

Starspiker :

"the library is set to the file they're in"
Not sure what you mean by this.

Obviously, something has gone with whatever you did.

What is the possibility of you just downloading them again?
Into whatever drive/folder you want.

Starspiker · Mar 10, 2017

I'm saying that the folder the games are in, D:\Steam2\steamap\common, is that I have the library set to, but Steam fails to recognize that they're there

USAFRet · Mar 10, 2017

Starspiker :

And inside \common\, you can see all the individual game subfolders?

If so, I'm out of ideas.

Koolstr · Mar 10, 2017

Starspiker :

Unless you made a typo: the directory should be "steamapps" not "steamap". Try that first.

There is a very good chance that to get the games to appear on Steam, all you have to do is go to the game as listed in your library, click install, and choose the library that is on your D drive (specifically, pick the Steam2 folder). Steam will then recognize that the game was already installed there, and will verify the game files already there and download whatever is missing or any updates.

At least, this is how I get my externally stored games to be re-added to Steam. So considering you are having the same problem I had, this could do it.

nmb255 · Mar 11, 2017

You can move games within the Steam Client now. Once you have a second library simple right click on the game, go to properties, then local files and there is a button to move the game to another library.

Didn't use to be this simple, but it is now.

Koolstr · Mar 14, 2017

nmb255 :

Oh wow, this is a new feature, and I'm liking it. Thanks for pointing it out

nmb255 · Mar 14, 2017

Koolstr :

Yep, long overdue feature. Not sure why its so quiet and unknown. Steammover is officially dead now.

Koolstr · Mar 15, 2017

nmb255 :

I never heard of Steammover until you mentioned it! (http://www.traynier.com/software/steammover)
You know, that software could have helped solve the OP's problem the whole time... :heink:

Moved Steam Games To Another Hard Drive, Not Showing In Library

Reputable

Commendable

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Commendable

Reputable

Titan

Titan

Commendable

Commendable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Titan

Commendable

Distinguished

Commendable

Distinguished

Commendable

Share this page