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Use Steam’s Downloads manager to pause or reorder queued items, limit download bandwidth, and control when games update. To free disk space, add another library location under Steam > Settings > Storage and move installed games there instead of downloading them again. Menu labels can vary by Steam client version or operating system; if yours differs, look for the equivalent Downloads or Storage control.
Manage the Steam download queue
Open Steam’s Downloads page from the Downloads link, or choose View > Downloads. It shows active downloads, queued items, and completed updates.
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- Pause or resume an item from the Downloads page.
- Reorder queued downloads to choose what Steam downloads next.
- Check the page for an update that is already in progress before changing other settings.
Limit Steam download speed
To reduce the impact of downloads on other internet use, open Steam > Settings > Downloads and set a download speed limit. Steam’s help page says the limit is interpreted according to whether the client displays rates in bytes or bits per second, so check the unit shown in your client before entering a cap.
Bytes and bits are different units: internet plans are generally advertised in bits per second, while Steam’s download rates may appear in bytes per second. One byte equals eight bits. Steam Support gives the conversion example 768 KB/s = 6,144 Kb/s, or about 6 Mbps; that is a unit conversion, not a measured download-speed result.
#1 Best Overall
- Customize your drive’s RGB lighting with the downloadable WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only) to show off your style and make every play personal.
- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
- Keep more of the latest and largest titles installed and ready to launch with capacities of up to 2TB. (1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment.)
- Built with WD_BLACK toughness thanks to a shock-resistant structure, this durable drive can survive a drop of up to two-meters.
Choose when Steam updates games
In Steam > Settings > Downloads, you can restrict automatic updates to a chosen time window. This is separate from a bandwidth limit: a cap controls download rate, while a schedule controls when automatic updates are allowed.
Set update behavior for one game
For finer control, open the game’s Library page, then use Manage or Properties and select the Updates tab. Depending on the available options, you can keep the game updated automatically, update it only when you launch it, or give it high priority for automatic updates.
Rank #2
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
If you choose Only update this game when I launch it, launching the game can start its pending update immediately. If a game is needed soon, check its status in Downloads before opening it.
Free up space by moving Steam games
A second Steam library lets you place installed games on another drive without downloading the full games again. Add the library location first, then move selected installations using Steam’s storage controls.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
- Open Steam > Settings > Storage.
- Add a library folder on the drive where you want games stored. Steam can also use a configured alternative library for new installations.
- In Storage, select an installed game and choose the move option, then select the destination library. The move workflow transfers the existing installation rather than requiring a fresh full-game download.
You can also access a game’s installed-file controls from its Library page; the exact route may differ by client version. Steam’s guidance supports alternate libraries on another drive, but does not compare SSD and HDD performance, recommend a particular capacity, or establish that every external drive is suitable for every library. Steam specifically cautions against installing the Steam client itself on an external hard drive because of possible performance issues.
Moving an installation does not guarantee that every local save moves with it. Some games store saves outside Steam Cloud in user folders, so check a game’s save-location guidance before making broader changes. Avoid uninstalling Steam as a space-saving shortcut: Steam warns that uninstalling it deletes game content. Back up important files and consult Steam’s current instructions before moving the entire Steam installation.
Rank #4
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Troubleshoot a Steam download that is slow or stuck
Start with the checks that are least disruptive. A slow-looking rate may be a unit mismatch rather than a problem, and server-region changes are diagnostic experiments—not guaranteed speed improvements.
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- Compare units. Check whether Steam displays bytes or bits per second and compare that like-for-like with your internet plan.
- Test a nearby download region. Steam selects content servers based on location, but a region can be slow or overloaded. In Steam > Settings > Downloads, check the current download region and try a nearby alternative if performance is poor. Return to the original region if the test does not help.
- Restart Steam or the computer. This is a simple first step for a download or connection that appears stuck.
- Clear the download cache if needed. Steam’s cache instructions say this clears locally cached configuration data and retrieves it again from Steam’s servers. Installed games are not deleted, but you will need to sign in to Steam again.
- Repair the library folder. Use Steam’s Downloads or Storage controls to find the library-folder repair option if an installation or update reports a folder problem. Labels and placement can vary by client version.
- Verify the game’s files for a game-specific problem. Open the game’s Library page and use its installed-file controls to verify integrity. This checks the game installation; it is not a general way to increase network speed.
If the problem is an installation or update error rather than slow transfer, note the exact error and follow Steam Support’s instructions for that specific issue before attempting destructive changes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
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