Change where Steam installs games or move a game to another drive

Use Steam’s own storage tools first. If you want new Steam games on another drive, add that drive as a Steam library folder, then choose it during install. If the game is already installed, move it from Steam’s storage settings instead of dragging the folder in File Explorer.

Do this first:

1. Open Steam and go to Steam -> Settings -> Storage.
2. Use the + button to add the other drive as a Steam library folder.
3. For a new game, choose that library when Steam asks where to install it.
4. For an installed game, select the game in Steam’s storage view and use Move.
5. If you already copied files manually, do not delete the old folder yet. Add the library folder back to Steam or start the install into the same location so Steam can detect existing files.

Steam Link is a different problem. Steam Link or Remote Play streams a game from your PC to another screen or device; it does not install a normal PC copy of the game onto an Android phone or tablet. If your real goal is streaming to a phone, TV, or handheld, solve that as a Remote Play setup issue, not an install-location issue.

Choose the right task before moving anything

Moving an installation and protecting your progress are separate checks. Before moving a game you cannot afford to lose, identify its save location using that game’s documentation and keep a separate backup. Do not assume saves live inside the game folder or that every game uses Steam Cloud. Record custom launch options and back up locally installed mods or configuration files you want to keep. File verification is an installation check, not proof that a save backup exists.

Add another Steam library folder

Use this when drive C: is full or you want future games on drive D:, an SSD, or another internal disk.

1. In Steam, open Steam -> Settings -> Storage.
2. Select the current drive at the top of the storage view.
3. Click the + button.
4. Choose the drive or folder you want Steam to use.
5. Install the next game and pick the new library when Steam asks for a location.

This changes Steam’s own game library choices. It does not change where the Microsoft Store, Xbox app, Epic Games Launcher, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, or other launchers install their games.

Move an installed Steam game

Use this when the game already works, but you want it on a different drive.

1. Add the destination drive as a Steam library folder first.
2. Open Steam -> Settings -> Storage.
3. Select the drive that currently contains the game.
4. Select the game you want to move.
5. Click Move and choose the destination library.
6. Let Steam finish the move before shutting down the PC or disconnecting a drive.

After the move, launch the game once. If it opens normally, the install path changed successfully. If it updates or verifies files first, let Steam finish.

• Confirm that Steam’s Storage view lists the game on the intended destination drive.
• Launch it from Steam, then load an existing save or profile that matters to you.
• Check any mods, custom launcher and settings you depend on; reaching the title screen alone does not test them.
• Close the game and launch it again with the destination drive connected.
• If you made a manual copy, keep the original and your independent save backup until these checks succeed. Do not delete Steam’s active library folder to reclaim space.

If the game opens but your progress is missing, stop cleanup. Investigate the save/profile location separately rather than repeatedly moving or reinstalling the game files. If there are two conflicting saves, preserve both before choosing which one to use.

If Steam does not show the other drive

Check the simple storage problems before editing folders:

• The drive should appear in Windows File Explorer.
• The drive needs enough free space for the game plus updates.
• For an external drive, the drive letter should not keep changing.
• The drive should stay connected while Steam is open, updating, or moving files.
• If the folder was used before, add that existing library folder back in Steam’s storage settings.

If Steam sees the drive but cannot write to it, restart Steam and Windows once, then check whether security software, folder permissions, or a damaged disk is blocking the library folder. Avoid using “driver updater” or “game booster” tools to solve a storage-permission problem.

If Steam says the game is uninstalled after a move

Do not panic-delete the copied files. Steam may have lost the library reference even though the game files are still present.

Try this order:

1. Add the old library folder back in Steam -> Settings -> Storage.
2. Try launching the game from Steam.
3. If Steam starts a download into the folder where the files already exist, let it detect and verify the files.
4. If detection fails, use Steam’s verify/repair options before removing folders manually.

Manual folder moves are where people lose time. They can work in some cases, but Steam’s storage manager is safer because it keeps Steam’s library records aligned with the files on disk.

External drive cautions

An external SSD can be convenient for a laptop, but it is easier to break the install state:

• unplugging during an update can corrupt the library record;
• a changed drive letter can make Steam think the game is missing;
• slow external disks can make large updates feel stuck;
• sleep, hub power, or loose cables can disconnect the drive at the worst time.

For games you play often, an internal SSD is usually the safer library location. If you do use an external drive, close Steam before unplugging it and keep the same drive letter.

Windows default install path is not Steam’s install path

Windows can have a default app install location, but that setting mainly affects Microsoft Store or Xbox app installs. Steam uses Steam library folders. If a guide tells you to change a Windows setting but your problem is a Steam game, check Steam’s storage settings first.

When to stop

Stop and ask for more specific help if:

• the drive is disappearing from Windows;
• the game files are on a failing disk;
• Steam asks you to sign in again and you do not have account access;
• you are trying to copy games between different Steam accounts;
• a guide tells you to bypass ownership checks, DRM, bans, region locks, or paid content;
• the game has mods, custom launchers, or save files you cannot risk losing;
• the game was moved manually and now both the old and new folders contain partial copies.

Price2Click will not help bypass Steam ownership or DRM checks. If you own the game and the install is messy, the safe recovery path is to reconnect the right library folder, let Steam verify files, and reinstall only if Steam cannot recognize the existing install.

Useful official help

Steam’s own support pages explain moving Steam installations and games, recognizing installed games that appear uninstalled, and download or library repair options.