Use Steam’s built-in Storage settings to add your SSD as a library location, then move installed games to it. You can move several games from one screen or move an individual game through its Properties page; Steam says these moves do not require uninstalling or downloading the games again.
How do I put Steam games on my SSD?
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In Steam, open Steam > Settings > Storage.
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In Storage, use the + control to add a library location on your SSD. Steam allows additional library locations on other drives, which can also be chosen for future installations. See Steam Support’s guide to moving a Steam installation and games.
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Select the drive where the games are currently installed. Select the game or games you want to move, then choose Move and select the SSD library location.
Steam moves the selected installations without uninstalling them or requiring a new download. To install future games on the SSD, choose its library location when you install each game.
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How do I move one Steam game to another drive?
For a single game, use its Properties page: open Library, right-click the game, select Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder…, then choose the library location on the SSD. Steam documents this as an alternate way to move an installation: Managing Steam Downloads & Updates.
Which method should I use?
| Method | Best for | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Storage | Moving one or more games selected from a drive | Steam > Settings > Storage |
| Game Properties | Moving one specific game | Library > right-click game > Properties > Installed Files |
Steam’s interface can differ by client version. If the Storage route or labels do not match what you see, try the documented per-game Properties route.
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Moving games is different from moving the Steam installation
The steps above move selected games between library locations. If you intend to relocate the entire Steam installation, Steam strongly recommends backing up the steamapps folder first. That is a separate process from moving games through Storage; follow Steam’s full installation-move guidance.
Check the save behavior of each game before changing drives or moving the whole client. Steam Cloud saves are handled through Steam, but third-party saves or profiles that are not stored in Steam Cloud may be outside the library. Steam says many such files may be in C:Users[Windows user name]DocumentsMy Games, though each developer chooses where a game stores its saves.
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Should I use an external SSD?
Steam’s general advice is not to install Steam on an external hard drive because of potential performance issues. It also warns that external drives may disconnect unexpectedly and recommends an internal drive if disconnections cause trouble. This is a general caution about external drives, not a performance guarantee or specific assessment of external SSDs. See Steam’s moving-installation guidance and its advice for games appearing as uninstalled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What if Steam does not show the games after the move?
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Open Steam > Settings > Storage and add the existing library folder if it is not listed. Steam recommends this when installed games appear as uninstalled.
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If the library is listed but a game has problems, use Steam’s library repair and game-file verification troubleshooting. The official steps are in Steam Support’s update and installation troubleshooting guide.
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If Steam still does not recognize the installation, Steam’s support guidance suggests reinstalling the affected game.
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