How to install/move Steam games on SSD [Explained]

June 2024 · 4 minute read
Windows 10 version 2004 defrags your SSD over and over again

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    • PC owners often use SSDs as the primary storage devices for their Windows OS and large-file programs.

    Our research showed that many worldwide users want to know how to install/move Steam games on SSD.

    If you’re a gamer and you’ve got tens or hundreds of GBs of games stored on your computer, then the best choice is to install or migrate them on an SSD.

    What is SSD and how is it different from HDD?

    A solid-state drive (SSD) is a storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data. Unlike classic HDDs, SSDs don’t have any moving parts, which makes them more resistant to shock.

    There are also other advantages: SSDs run silently, have lower access time and lower latency, use less power than HDDs, generate less heat, have a longer lifespan, are not affected by magnetism, and more.

    How can I install/move Steam games on an SSD?

  • Close your Steam Client and make sure that Steam.exe is not running in Task Manager. To do that, use the following keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  • Make sure you’re on the Processes tab.
  • In the sown list, click on Steam, and choose to End task.
  • Go to the game that you wish to copy from HDD to SSD
  • Right-click the game folder, then select Properties to see how much space it really takes up.
  • Make sure that have this free space on your SSD.
  • Then right-click the folder, then click Copy.
  • Go to your Steam game library on your SSD and choose to Paste the folder.
  • Wait for the process to complete.
  • Once the game has been copied, delete it from your HDD
    • Read more about this topic

    How can I inform my Steam Client about the new game location?

  • Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the app.
  • From the main menu, click on Library.
  • Now, right-click on the game you just moved, then select Delete Local Content.
  • Click on Install.
  • Select the Steam Library Folder located on the SSD.

    • Rest assured, nothing important gets deleted, only a manifest file. When you moved the game files over, you deleted them manually from the HHD.

    Steam should detect and verify the new game files on the SSD.

    It is worth mentioning that installing source-based games on an SSD doesn’t always work using this method.

    You can also use a dedicated tool to move your games on an SSD. Laplink PC Mover is a program created to help you transfer all sorts of files from one PC to another, or from PC to SSD.

    LapLink PCMover is a data migration utility that automatically backs up all of your registry settings, game data files, before moving them to an SSD or another PC if needed.

    It’s quite error-free if you carefully follow the on-screen directions. You may choose which settings, and data files are moved to the SSD, or you can let PCMover migrate everything.

    If you’ve come across other solutions to install/ migrate your Steam games to your SDD, feel free to list the steps to follow in the comments section below.

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