[SOLVED] Moved Steam Games To Another Hard Drive, Not Showing In Library

[Starspiker]

Recently, I had to transfer all of my steam games and other files in an emergency computer issue, so I was unable to change the steam directories properly. When I got my PC running again, I changed the steam library directory to the file with the games, but they are not showing up in the library, just telling me to install them again... Why would this be?

 

[Koolstr]

What is the folder in which they are stored in called? My external HD library is recognized, and I kept the directory layout the same. As in, my external games are stored in SteamLibrary>steamapps>common.

 

[Starspiker]

My steam program is in A:\ which is my OS partition of my hard drive, and my games are in D:\

My library folders is D:\Steam2 (Which is where the games are in) They're in there, but aren't recognized by steam

 

[USAFRet]

My steam program is in A:\ which is my OS partition of my hard drive, and my games are in D:\

My library folders is D:\Steam2 (Which is where the games are in) They're in there, but aren't recognized by steam

1. You really, really shouldn't use A for a drive letter, especially for the OS.

2. Whatever drive and folder these are on, have you told the Steam client about it?
If so, how did you do this?

 

[Starspiker]

I had an incident where Windows would not boot, so in atempt to save some game files, I copied them all to my second hard drive. I was not able to do this in Steam, but in the file explorer. I set the game library to the folder the games are in, it's just that steam wont recognize that they're there.

 

[USAFRet]

I had an incident where Windows would not boot, so in atempt to save some game files, I copied them all to my second hard drive. I was not able to do this in Steam, but in the file explorer. I set the game library to the folder the games are in, it's just that steam wont recognize that they're there.

And how, specifically, did you inform Steam of this new location?
And which folders, exactly, did you copy over?

 

[Koolstr]

My steam program is in A:\ which is my OS partition of my hard drive, and my games are in D:\

My library folders is D:\Steam2 (Which is where the games are in) They're in there, but aren't recognized by steam

I highly suggest not using A as a drive letter, just to note.

Try renaming your folder structure to mine and then try adding the folder to your steam library again.

 

[Starspiker]

I copied just the game folders. I didn't really inform Steam as I couldn't

 

[USAFRet]

I copied just the game folders. I didn't really inform Steam as I couldn't

In your current Steam client:

Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder - This folder being where they are now.

 

[USAFRet]

And you really, really need to do a whole OS reinstall, and not use the A as the drive letter.

Really.

 

[Koolstr]

And you really, really need to do a whole OS reinstall, and not use the A as the drive letter.

Really.

I wonder, is it possible to use a partition manager like AOMEI Partition Assistant to change the drive letter of the partition on which the OS itself is installed?

 

[Koolstr]

I copied just the game folders. I didn't really inform Steam as I couldn't

This entire time, I was presuming that you did add them to your Steam Library in the standard/correct manner.... Follow the instructions given by USAFRet to add the folder appropriately.

 

[USAFRet]

And you really, really need to do a whole OS reinstall, and not use the A as the drive letter.

Really.

I wonder, is it possible to use a partition manager like AOMEI Partition Assistant to change the drive letter of the partition on which the OS itself is installed?

No, you cannot do that.
If you try, then you WILL have to do a full reinstall.

 

[Starspiker]

I changed the game directory files just the way you said, but they're not appearing in the Library. All the game's files are there, the library is set to the file they're in

 

[USAFRet]

I changed the game directory files just the way you said, but they're not appearing in the Library. All the game's files are there, the library is set to the file they're in

"the library is set to the file they're in"
Not sure what you mean by this.

Obviously, something has gone with whatever you did.

What is the possibility of you just downloading them again?
Into whatever drive/folder you want.

 

[Starspiker]

I'm saying that the folder the games are in, D:\Steam2\steamap\common, is that I have the library set to, but Steam fails to recognize that they're there

 

[USAFRet]

I'm saying that the folder the games are in, D:\Steam2\steamap\common, is that I have the library set to, but Steam fails to recognize that they're there

And inside \common\, you can see all the individual game subfolders?

If so, I'm out of ideas.

 

[Koolstr]

I'm saying that the folder the games are in, D:\Steam2\steamap\common, is that I have the library set to, but Steam fails to recognize that they're there

Unless you made a typo: the directory should be "steamapps" not "steamap". Try that first.

There is a very good chance that to get the games to appear on Steam, all you have to do is go to the game as listed in your library, click install, and choose the library that is on your D drive (specifically, pick the Steam2 folder). Steam will then recognize that the game was already installed there, and will verify the game files already there and download whatever is missing or any updates.

At least, this is how I get my externally stored games to be re-added to Steam. So considering you are having the same problem I had, this could do it.

 

[nmb255]

You can move games within the Steam Client now. Once you have a second library simple right click on the game, go to properties, then local files and there is a button to move the game to another library.

Didn't use to be this simple, but it is now.

 

[Koolstr]

You can move games within the Steam Client now. Once you have a second library simple right click on the game, go to properties, then local files and there is a button to move the game to another library.

Didn't use to be this simple, but it is now.

Oh wow, this is a new feature, and I'm liking it. Thanks for pointing it out 😀

 

[nmb255]

You can move games within the Steam Client now. Once you have a second library simple right click on the game, go to properties, then local files and there is a button to move the game to another library.

Didn't use to be this simple, but it is now.

Oh wow, this is a new feature, and I'm liking it. Thanks for pointing it out 😀

Yep, long overdue feature. Not sure why its so quiet and unknown. Steammover is officially dead now.

 

[P0NCH0]

I'm saying that the folder the games are in, D:\Steam2\steamap\common, is that I have the library set to, but Steam fails to recognize that they're there

Unless you made a typo: the directory should be "steamapps" not "steamap". Try that first.

There is a very good chance that to get the games to appear on Steam, all you have to do is go to the game as listed in your library, click install, and choose the library that is on your D drive (specifically, pick the Steam2 folder). Steam will then recognize that the game was already installed there, and will verify the game files already there and download whatever is missing or any updates.

At least, this is how I get my externally stored games to be re-added to Steam. So considering you are having the same problem I had, this could do it.

Can always count on a post in the depths of the internet from years ago to fix your present problems, Cheers 👍👍