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To move a Uplay game without downloading it again, close Ubisoft Connect, copy the complete game folder to its new location, then use Locate installed game to point Ubisoft Connect to that folder. Let the launcher verify the files before launching the game.
Uplay is the former name of Ubisoft Connect PC. The exact button labels can vary between launcher versions, but the process is broadly the same.
Before moving the game
- Make sure the destination drive has enough free space.
- Sign in to the Ubisoft account that owns or activates the game.
- Allow pending updates to finish.
- Confirm cloud synchronization has completed, then back up local saves and configuration files separately.
- Back up modded installations before moving them. File verification can replace modified files.
Copying is safer than immediately moving. A copy temporarily uses more space, but it leaves the original available if the transfer fails or Ubisoft Connect cannot detect the new location. Delete the old folder only after the new copy launches correctly.
Move a Ubisoft Connect game to another drive
- Close Ubisoft Connect completely. Exit it from the Windows system tray, then check Task Manager if necessary to confirm that the launcher is no longer running.
- Copy the entire game folder to the new drive. A simple path such as
D:UbisoftGame Nameis preferable to a deeply nested location. - Open Ubisoft Connect and sign in to the correct account.
- Open the game’s page in your library and look for Locate installed game or a similarly named folder-location option.
- Select the game’s base installation folder—the folder that directly contains the game executable and data. Do not select only
D:Ubisoft, and do not select a subfolder inside the game installation. - Allow Ubisoft Connect to discover and verify the files.
- Launch the game and test the saves, DLC, settings, and mods.
Depending on the launcher version, the locate option may appear below the download control. If it is not visible, attempting to install or launch the game may produce a Locate game folder prompt. Some versions also expose the installation location through the launcher’s download settings.
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Verification usually avoids a full redownload, but Ubisoft Connect may still download missing or damaged files, patches, prerequisites, or updates.
Optional: copy a large installation with Robocopy
For a very large folder or an unreliable transfer, Windows Robocopy can be useful:
robocopy "C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game LaunchergamesGAME_FOLDER" "D:UbisoftGAME_FOLDER" /E /COPY:DAT /DCOPY:DAT /R:2 /W:5 /XJReplace both paths and GAME_FOLDER with the locations on your PC. This copies the files, attributes, and timestamps; it does not register the game with Ubisoft Connect. You must still use Locate installed game.
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Move several games
Repeat the locate process for each game after copying its complete folder. You can also change the default installation location under Settings → Downloads so future Ubisoft Connect installations use the new drive. Changing the default location alone does not necessarily associate an existing installation with the launcher; use the locate control for that.
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- Close Ubisoft Connect on the old PC.
- Copy the complete game installation folder to an external drive, network location, or the new PC.
- Back up local saves and configuration files separately.
- Install a fresh copy of Ubisoft Connect PC on the new computer.
- Sign in to the Ubisoft account that owns the game.
- Copy the game folder to the desired destination.
- Open the game in the Ubisoft library and select Locate installed game.
- Choose the game’s base folder and wait for verification.
- Launch the game and confirm that saves, DLC, controllers, and other settings work.
Copying files does not transfer a license. The new PC must use the account with the relevant game entitlement. Installing Ubisoft Connect itself on the same drive as the game is not normally necessary.
Steam and Epic Games installations
Games purchased through Steam
A Steam-purchased Ubisoft game may require both Steam and Ubisoft Connect. Use Steam’s storage-management or relocation tools first so Steam recognizes the new installation. Keep Ubisoft Connect installed and logged into the linked Ubisoft account, then launch the game through Steam. If Ubisoft Connect still reports a missing installation, use its locate or verification process after Steam recognizes the files.
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Games purchased through Epic Games
Epic Games may depend on its own installation folder and launch metadata. Use Epic’s relocation or redetection process first, then resolve any Ubisoft Connect detection issue. Moving only a Ubisoft folder may not be sufficient for an Epic installation.
Physical copies and third-party activations
The activation key or entitlement must already be attached to the correct Ubisoft account. Copying the files cannot activate the game for an unrelated account.
External drives, SSDs, and changed drive letters
Ubisoft games may work from an external drive, but keep the drive connected before opening Ubisoft Connect or launching the game. A stable drive letter is important. An external SSD is generally more suitable for game loading than a portable HDD, while either can become unavailable if disconnected.
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If Windows assigns the destination a different letter, either assign the old letter to the drive through Disk Management or use Locate installed game to select the new path. You can also update the default download location in Ubisoft Connect. Routine registry editing is not recommended.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What happens to saves, DLC, and mods?
The installation folder and save data are separate. Moving the game folder may not move:
- Local save files
- Configuration files and controller settings
- Screenshots
- Mods and mod-manager files
- User-created content
- Crash logs and shader caches
Ubisoft cloud-save and cross-progression features vary by game and platform, as described on Ubisoft’s Ubisoft Connect page. Do not assume that every title synchronizes saves identically. Back up local saves before migration, avoid playing on both PCs at the same time during synchronization, and check the game’s support documentation if progress is missing.
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Fix Ubisoft Connect showing “Download” instead of “Play”
- Pause or cancel any new download immediately so it does not overwrite the existing files.
- Confirm the destination drive is connected and accessible in File Explorer.
- Check that the copied folder is complete.
- Open the game’s page and use Locate installed game.
- Select the actual game folder—not its parent folder and not a folder nested one level too deep.
- Restart Ubisoft Connect and repeat the locate process if necessary.
- Run file verification or repair when the option is available.
- Run the launcher as administrator only when Windows permissions are clearly preventing access.
A common folder mistake looks like this:
D:UbisoftGame NameGame NameIf the executable is inside the second Game Name folder, select that inner folder. If the copy was incomplete, restore the original or recopy it before trying again.
Advanced recovery if a new download starts from zero
Pause the download and keep the original game folder. Cancel the new installation, then recheck the base-folder selection and restart Ubisoft Connect. If the locate control remains unavailable, an advanced workaround is to begin an installation into the intended destination, pause it after the folder is created, replace the newly created files with the backed-up game files, and resume so Ubisoft Connect can verify them. Keep a backup while doing this; the exact behavior can vary by game and launcher version.
Other failure modes
Verification reports corrupt files
Run verification again and allow missing files to download. If the problem persists, check the destination drive for errors and recopy the affected game from the original source.
The game launches but crashes
Disable or reinstall mods, verify the files, and install or repair any requested prerequisites. For Steam or Epic games, launch through the original storefront. Reinstalling the entire game should be a last resort.
The drive is missing from the folder picker
Confirm Windows can browse the drive, assign it a stable drive letter, and create the destination folder manually. Network locations may be less reliable than a local internal or external drive.
Can you delete the old copy?
Yes, but wait until the relocated installation launches successfully and you have checked saves, DLC, settings, and mods. Keep the original until verification and testing are complete. If storage is limited, move rather than copy only when you accept the reduced recovery options.
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