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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The safest way to move a PC game depends on its launcher. Use Steam’s built-in Move command when available; follow Epic’s backup-and-verify process; use the Xbox app or Windows move controls for Microsoft Store games; and use a launcher’s locate, scan, repair, or verify function after manually copying games from other launchers.
Do not simply drag every game folder to another drive and delete the original. Game files, launcher manifests, save data, mods, permissions, DRM components, and account entitlements may be stored in different places. The reliable pattern is copy or move, verify, test, then delete the old installation.
Quick answer: which method should you use?
| Launcher | Recommended method | Risk of manual copying |
|---|---|---|
| Steam | Settings → Storage → select the game → Move | Low |
| Epic Games Launcher | Use Epic’s backup, partial-install, copy, and verification workflow | Medium |
| Xbox app / Microsoft Store | Use Move, Manage Installs, or Change drive | High |
| EA app | Copy files, then let the app repair or verify them | Medium |
| Ubisoft Connect | Copy files, use Locate, and verify the installation | Medium |
| Battle.net | Use Locate the game, then scan or repair | Medium |
| GOG Galaxy | Point Galaxy at the copied folder and verify | Low to medium |
| Standalone DRM-free game | Copy the folder and update shortcuts, saves, and mod paths | Low to medium |
These procedures move the installation on the same Windows PC. Moving a game to a new computer is a broader migration involving launcher installation, account sign-in, saves, drivers, runtimes, and sometimes DRM or anti-cheat registration.
What you can move—and what you cannot
Moving a game relocates its large installation files. It does not move the launcher itself, transfer ownership between storefronts, or necessarily move saved games and configuration files.
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- Game installation: The executable, asset files, patches, and often DLC.
- Launcher: The client, manifests, registry entries, services, download caches, and login information. Usually leave it where it is.
- Save data: May be in Documents, AppData, ProgramData, a protected WindowsApps location, or cloud storage.
- Mods: May be inside the game folder, in a separate mod-manager library, in Documents, or installed through a publisher platform.
- Entitlement: Remains tied to the account and storefront that owns the game. Copying Epic files does not make them a Steam installation, for example. Epic explains that ownership does not transfer between launchers.
Before moving a game
- Identify the owning launcher. A game purchased on Steam may still require EA app, Ubisoft Connect, Rockstar, or another publisher client.
- Check free space. Leave room for patches, temporary update files, unpacking, shader caches, and DLC. A game occupying 100 GB may need considerably more during an update.
- Back up saves separately. Confirm cloud synchronization has completed, then copy likely save folders to another location. Common locations include
%USERPROFILE%Documents,%APPDATA%,%LOCALAPPDATA%, and%PROGRAMDATA%. Steam notes that many third-party saves are commonly underDocumentsMy Games, but the developer determines the actual location. See Steam’s guidance on game files and saves. - Back up important mods and settings. Record your mod manager’s game path, launch arguments, ReShade files, plugins, and custom configuration folders.
- Keep the destination path simple. Paths such as
D:GamesSteamorD:GamesEpicare easier for launchers and mod tools to handle than deeply nested folders. - Keep the drive letter stable. If Windows later changes
D:toE:, a launcher may report the library as missing. Use Disk Management to assign a permanent letter if needed. - Close the game and launcher completely. Exit from the system tray, pause downloads, and close mod managers and related utilities before any manual copy.
- Do not erase the old copy yet. Test the moved game, saves, DLC, mods, multiplayer, and cloud synchronization first.
Internal versus external drives
Moving a game from an HDD to an SSD can reduce loading times and improve asset streaming, but it does not automatically increase frame rate. The result depends on the game engine, CPU, memory, storage interface, and whether the original HDD was actually limiting performance.
External drives can work, but they introduce additional failure points: USB disconnection, sleep behavior, changing drive letters, unreliable cables, enclosure limitations, and slower external HDD performance. External SSD speed depends on the USB version, enclosure, controller, and cable. Steam specifically warns that installing Steam on an external hard drive is not recommended because of potential performance issues. Consult Steam’s storage guidance.
Steam: use the built-in Move command
Steam is the simplest case because it supports registered library locations and an official game-move workflow.
- Open Steam.
- Choose Steam → Settings.
- Open Storage.
- Add or select a Steam Library folder on the destination drive.
- Select the source drive and tick the game or games to move.
- Choose Move.
- Select the destination Steam library.
- Wait for Steam to finish, then launch the game.
Steam’s current support workflow uses the Storage page to create alternate library paths and move installed games. Steam’s official instructions are here.
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Moving the entire Steam installation
Moving individual games is preferable. If the system drive is critically constrained and you need to move Steam itself, back up first. Steam’s documented process involves exiting Steam, backing up the steamapps folder, moving the Steam directory while retaining items such as steamapps, userdata, and steam.exe as directed, then launching Steam from the new location and verifying the games.
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Do not attempt this while downloads, updates, or validation are active. Steam recommends a backup because an unsuccessful client move may otherwise leave you reinstalling games individually. Read Steam’s complete installation-move guidance.
Epic Games Launcher: use the official backup-and-verify workaround
Epic does not provide Steam’s general one-click relocation feature. Its supported procedure creates a new installation record, then makes Epic verify files that you already copied.
- Make a backup copy of the existing game folder.
- Open Epic Games Launcher and go to Library.
- Open the game’s three-dot menu and choose Uninstall.
- Start installing the game again and choose the new drive and folder.
- Allow the download to reach approximately 2–3%.
- Cancel the installation and close Epic Games Launcher completely.
- Copy the backed-up game folder into the new installation directory.
- Replace duplicate files when Windows asks.
- Reopen Epic Games Launcher and resume the installation.
- Let Epic verify the existing files, then launch the game.
Epic documents this move workflow. It may still download updates or damaged files.
Epic also says it does not generally detect previously installed games after launcher removal or a Windows reinstallation. Detection workarounds are not guaranteed for every title. See Epic’s guidance on previously installed games.
Xbox app and Microsoft Store games
Use the official move controls wherever possible. Xbox and Microsoft Store games use packaged-app installation, permissions, Gaming Services, Store registration, and sometimes protected WindowsApps directories. They are not ordinary folders that can reliably be dragged between drives.
- Open the Xbox app or Windows Settings.
- Open the installed games list.
- Select the game and choose Manage or Manage Installs.
- Look for Move, Change drive, or a destination selector.
- Select the target drive and confirm.
- Wait for Windows or Xbox to complete the move before launching.
If Windows exposes it, you can also try Settings → Apps → Installed apps → game → Move. If the game disappears afterward, check the Microsoft Store Library and confirm that the correct Microsoft account is signed in. Microsoft directs users who cannot find a moved game to check the Store Library. Microsoft’s support page is available here.
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Do not routinely take ownership of WindowsApps to force a copy. That can damage permissions and package registration. If Move is unavailable, update Windows, Microsoft Store, Xbox, and Gaming Services; confirm that the target drive is configured for app installations; try repair; and reinstall to the new drive if the package cannot be moved safely.
A Game Pass entitlement remains account-based. Copied files alone do not provide access, and some games require Xbox identity services, online validation, or an active subscription.
EA app
There is no single relocation procedure that is reliable for every EA app game and app version. The cautious approach is:
- Close the EA app completely.
- Copy the game folder to the destination drive.
- Start installing the same game to the new location.
- Pause or cancel after the new folder and installation metadata have been created.
- Place the copied files in the expected destination folder.
- Resume installation and allow the EA app to repair or verify the files.
- If recognition fails, use the app’s repair function or reinstall.
Some EA games purchased through Steam or included with Game Pass still require EA app services, account linking, or anti-cheat components. Saves may be outside the installation directory. Community instructions can help with a specific title, but they are not a universal official method. An EA forum discussion illustrates the verification approach.
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- Close Ubisoft Connect.
- Copy the complete game directory to the destination drive.
- Reopen Ubisoft Connect.
- Use the game’s locate, find, or installation-location control if available.
- Point it to the copied folder.
- Allow Ubisoft Connect to scan, verify, or update the installation.
- Test the game before deleting the old copy.
If the client cannot recognize the files, start a new installation at the destination, pause it, replace the newly created folder with the copied files, and resume. Reinstallation may be safer than editing launcher configuration files manually.
A Ubisoft game may still require Ubisoft Connect, account authentication, and an internet connection even when purchased through Steam or Epic. Ubisoft’s terms describe these possible requirements.
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Battle.net
- Exit Battle.net completely.
- Copy the game folder to the new drive.
- Open Battle.net and select the game.
- Choose Locate the game, or the equivalent installation-location control.
- Point the client to the copied folder.
- Allow the client to scan, update, or repair the installation.
If Battle.net does not recognize the folder, begin a new installation at the destination, pause the download, close Battle.net, copy the existing files into the new folder, then reopen the client and resume. The labels can vary by Battle.net client version and game.
GOG Galaxy and standalone DRM-free games
GOG Galaxy
Copy the game directory, open the game in GOG Galaxy, and use its installation or import controls to point Galaxy at the new directory. Let Galaxy scan or update the files before launching.
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Standalone or DRM-free installation
- Close the game.
- Copy the entire installation folder.
- Update desktop and Start-menu shortcuts.
- Update the path in any mod manager.
- Copy save folders separately if they are not inside the game directory.
- Launch and test the game.
Many DRM-free games run from a copied folder, but some depend on registry entries, redistributables, services, or fixed paths. If the copied version fails, reinstalling the game to the destination is cleaner than trying to reconstruct every dependency.
Manual copying: the safe general method
Use this method only when the launcher has no dependable built-in Move control.
- Pause downloads and updates.
- Exit the launcher from its tray menu and confirm it is no longer running.
- Back up saves, configuration files, and mods.
- Copy the complete game folder to the destination.
- Compare folder sizes or file counts to catch an obviously incomplete transfer.
- Open the launcher.
- Use Locate, Scan, Repair, Verify, or an install-and-verify workflow.
- Launch the game and test saves, DLC, mods, controllers, multiplayer, achievements, and cloud synchronization.
- Delete the old installation only after the new one works.
Copying is safer than cutting because the original remains a recovery path if the transfer is interrupted or the launcher rejects the new location.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Advanced workaround: directory junctions
A Windows directory junction preserves an old path while redirecting it to a folder on another drive. It can help older games or tools that require a fixed path, but it is not a first-choice migration method.
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After copying the data, an example command sequence is:
robocopy "C:GamesExample" "D:GamesExample" /E /COPY:DAT /R:1 /W:1
ren "C:GamesExample" "Example.old"
mklink /J "C:GamesExample" "D:GamesExample"
dir "C:GamesExample"If the game works through the junction, remove the old renamed folder only after testing. The junction itself can later be removed with:
rmdir "C:GamesExample"- The original path must not still be a normal folder when
mklink /Jruns. - The destination folder must already exist.
- A junction is not a hard link and is not a backup.
- Some launchers, uninstallers, backup programs, or anti-cheat systems may reject or mishandle redirected paths.
- The old path breaks if the destination drive is disconnected or its letter changes.
- Do not use this as the routine solution for Xbox or Microsoft Store games.
Saves, mods, DLC, and cloud synchronization
Saves
Do not assume saves travel with the installation. They may be stored in:
C:Users<username>DocumentsMy Games%APPDATA%%LOCALAPPDATA%%PROGRAMDATA%- A publisher launcher profile
- A protected WindowsApps location
- Steam Cloud, Epic Cloud Saves, Xbox synchronization, or another cloud service
Cloud synchronization is useful but is not a replacement for a separate backup. Some games support cloud saves while others store progress locally only.
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Mods and custom settings
Mods inside the installation folder may move with the game, but mod managers often maintain separate libraries and cached profiles. After moving, update the game executable path in the mod manager. Also check Documents-based mods, shader caches, ReShade files, plugins, custom launch arguments, and symbolic links.
DLC and third-party launchers
Launcher verification should normally restore missing or damaged game files, but it may not restore external launcher services, registry entries, prerequisites, or third-party DLC registration. Test the content before deleting the source copy.
Troubleshooting
The launcher says the game is not installed
- Confirm the destination drive letter.
- Check that the launcher is pointed at the library root, not one folder too high or low.
- Use Locate, Scan, Repair, or Verify.
- Start a new installation at the destination, pause it, and replace the newly created game folder with the copied files.
- Do not delete manifests or metadata unless the launcher’s official recovery instructions require it.
The launcher starts downloading the entire game
- Pause immediately.
- Check that the folder name matches the expected installation name.
- Confirm the files are inside the exact directory selected for installation.
- Resume and allow verification to run.
- If verification never begins, the launcher may not support adopting those files for that title. Reinstalling may be safer.
Saves are missing
- Check cloud synchronization status.
- Restore the backed-up save folders.
- Search the game’s support documentation for its save path.
- Check
Documents,%APPDATA%,%LOCALAPPDATA%, and%PROGRAMDATA%. - Back up both old and new saves before replacing anything.
Mods no longer work
- Update the game path in the mod manager.
- Reinstall path-dependent mod loaders.
- Check whether the manager stores files outside the game folder.
- Verify the executable path and launch arguments.
Windows says access is denied
This is especially common with Microsoft Store and Xbox installations. Do not casually change ownership of WindowsApps. Use the official Move control, repair the app, or reinstall to the destination. The destination should normally use NTFS and provide adequate permissions.
The game crashes after moving from an SSD to an HDD
Possible causes include slower asset streaming, drive errors, missing redistributables, broken mod paths, a changed drive letter, an incomplete copy, or an anti-cheat or DRM component that needs repair. Run the launcher’s verification or repair process first, then check the drive for errors.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteThe old drive is failing
Do not rely on an ordinary copy if the source drive is producing read errors or disconnecting. Copy irreplaceable saves first, then consider a sector-aware clone or disk image. Reinstall the launcher on the healthy drive, reconnect the copied library, and verify the files. A normal copy can fail or omit damaged files when the source drive is failing.
Quick Recap
When moving is better than reinstalling
| Approach | Best use | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in launcher move | Steam and launchers with reliable relocation controls | Preserves more metadata and usually avoids a full download, but may not move saves or external dependencies |
| Manual copy plus verification | Launchers that can locate or repair existing files | Retains the original copy but has more path and detection failure points |
| Reinstall | Corruption, broken metadata, Store-package problems, a new Windows installation, or a failing source drive | Uses bandwidth and time but rebuilds permissions, services, and registration cleanly |
| Junction | Legacy software that requires its old path | Least transparent and most likely to confuse uninstallers, backups, launchers, or anti-cheat |
Final verification checklist
- The launcher recognizes the new installation.
- The game reaches the main menu and loads a save.
- New and old saves have been compared or backed up.
- DLC and downloadable content appear correctly.
- Mods and mod-manager paths work.
- Controllers and peripherals function.
- Multiplayer and account authentication work.
- Cloud synchronization completes without conflicts.
- The destination drive remains assigned the expected letter.
- The original installation is retained until all checks pass.
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