Open Steam’s Settings > Storage to see your configured library locations and the games installed in them. From there, you can add a library on another drive, move installed games between libraries, or repair a library folder. If Steam stops recognizing games already on a drive, add the existing library location before downloading anything again.
Check where Steam games are installed
- Open the Steam client and select Steam > Settings > Storage.
- Review the listed library locations and the games installed in each one. Steam’s default installation drive is shown in this view.
Steam’s instructions describe Storage as the place to view and manage library locations, but the exact labels or layout may vary by operating system or client version. See Steam Support’s Moving a Steam Installation and Games guide.
Add a library on another drive
- In Settings > Storage, select the plus button to add a library location.
- Choose a folder on the drive you want to use and complete Steam’s prompts.
- When installing a new game, select the desired configured library location in the install options.
Adding a library gives Steam another location for installations; it does not itself free space on an existing drive. To reclaim space, move or uninstall games you no longer need on that drive.
Move an installed game to another library
The destination must already be configured as a Steam library. Steam documents two ways to move a game:
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| Route | Steps | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Storage settings | Open Settings > Storage, choose the source drive, select one or more games, then choose Move and the destination library. | Moving several games, or managing them by source drive. |
| Game properties | In your Library, right-click the game, choose Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder, then select the destination library. | Moving one specific game from its own Library entry. |
Steam says its move feature transfers the installation without requiring a fresh download. Its guidance documents both routes but does not state that either is faster. For the official instructions, see Moving a Steam Installation and Games.
Restore games Steam shows as uninstalled
- Check that the game files are still present in the expected library folder. Do not delete or overwrite the folder while troubleshooting.
- Open Settings > Storage and use the plus button to add the existing library folder, especially if it was on an alternate drive or location.
- Check whether Steam recognizes the games after the library is added. If it still does not, Steam’s support instructions recommend reinstalling the affected games.
Steam’s recovery guidance is available at Installed games are appearing as uninstalled.
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Repair a library or verify a game’s files
These are troubleshooting options for problems, not steps normally needed for a successful move.
- Repair a library folder: Open Settings > Storage, select the library’s options menu, and choose Repair Folder if that option is available.
- Check a game’s files: In the Library, right-click the game and choose Properties > Installed Files > Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Steam lists these actions in its Update & Installation Issues guidance.
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Make room without changing update settings
Storage and download scheduling are separate controls. To manage when games update, open Steam > Settings > Downloads and review the available update behavior and automatic-update schedule. Changing update timing does not reclaim disk space; moving or uninstalling selected games does.
Steam explains download and update controls in Managing Steam Downloads & Updates.
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Protect game files and saves before uninstalling Steam
Steam warns that uninstalling the Steam client can delete installed game content. If you want to retain those installations, move the steamapps folder somewhere outside the Steam directory before uninstalling.
Keeping steamapps does not guarantee that every save is preserved. Steam Cloud saves are handled separately, and non-Cloud saves for third-party games may be stored in a Documents folder or another location chosen by the game developer. Check the save location for each game before deleting or moving data. See Steam Support’s Uninstall Steam instructions.
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When an external drive causes trouble
Steam cautions that external hard drives can cause performance problems or disconnect unexpectedly. If an external drive is causing Steam or game issues, Steam recommends using an internal drive instead. Its guidance does not specify a particular drive type, model, or capacity. Read Steam’s Moving a Steam Installation and Games article.
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