Lol, i test it with doom eternal, like OP, when change install from my ssd to HDD.
Its not delete old files untill all game copied, so you can cancel anytime.
I wish there was also a copy button instead of just the move. I have a portable SSD and it's faster for me to install games on it from my PC and then use the Steam library on my laptop because of my internet. I could imagine such a feature being a lifesaver for something like the Steam Machine or Frame, or even just the Steam Deck.
Or you can manually copy the games too. You need the .acf with the info about the game (D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\appmanifest_123456.acf) and the game folder in D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common
123456 is the games ID. The game name is in the file so a search usually will find both folders.
you can skip the acf file but this will tell Steam that the game is already downloaded and if you set a custom language, beta or command it will keep those settings too.
I know that Steam has a local transfer over the network, but I wanted some other transfer methods too. I haven't tried copying over the files since I'm used to everything being serialized over other programs. I'll definitely try copying over the directory straight on the SD card and see if the Steam Deck will accept it fine along with the manifest file. I was just thinking about whether it wouldn't be better to make it as a button in the Steam library settings. Thank you!
Well if the moved file are in the destination folder, cut them and put them back manually in the original folder, THEN verify the game files through steam, it will re download missing or broken files
I had to do that yesterday with Hogwarts Legacy, it was fine, no problem. I didn't even verify afterwards.
Steam probably uses some sort of shadow files
First, copies the game files into a shadow file folder (this takes time)
Then deletes the old game file (this takes no noticeable time)
Then moves the shadow files into the game folder destination (this takes virtually no time)
I just wish it had a way to minimize or dismiss the dialog and have it keep running in the background. I don't want to sit around and watch it move a really large game for 20 minutes.
lol that mix of comments...
try it with some smaller games. I don't think anyone here commenting tried it before posting.
I would imagine that Valve handles moving like patching games. They copy files then when they are done they delete the previous versions.
So in this case they should copy the whole game folder and delete the previous files when the move was completed.
I'm sure moving two or more games at the same time the client does those steps after each game has been moved.
Lol, i test it with doom eternal, like OP, when change install from my ssd to HDD.
Its not delete old files untill all game copied, so you can cancel anytime.
I wish there was also a copy button instead of just the move. I have a portable SSD and it's faster for me to install games on it from my PC and then use the Steam library on my laptop because of my internet. I could imagine such a feature being a lifesaver for something like the Steam Machine or Frame, or even just the Steam Deck.
Your second device can download the game from your running PC.
How to Transfer Steam Games Over Your Local Network
Or you can manually copy the games too. You need the .acf with the info about the game (D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\appmanifest_123456.acf) and the game folder in D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common
123456 is the games ID. The game name is in the file so a search usually will find both folders.
you can skip the acf file but this will tell Steam that the game is already downloaded and if you set a custom language, beta or command it will keep those settings too.
I know that Steam has a local transfer over the network, but I wanted some other transfer methods too. I haven't tried copying over the files since I'm used to everything being serialized over other programs. I'll definitely try copying over the directory straight on the SD card and see if the Steam Deck will accept it fine along with the manifest file. I was just thinking about whether it wouldn't be better to make it as a button in the Steam library settings. Thank you!
well we have the option to backup and restore game files in the Steam client but I haven't used that one in over 10 years 🤔
Well if the moved file are in the destination folder, cut them and put them back manually in the original folder, THEN verify the game files through steam, it will re download missing or broken files
I had to do that yesterday with Hogwarts Legacy, it was fine, no problem. I didn't even verify afterwards. Steam probably uses some sort of shadow files First, copies the game files into a shadow file folder (this takes time) Then deletes the old game file (this takes no noticeable time) Then moves the shadow files into the game folder destination (this takes virtually no time)
I would assume it is copying the files to the new location and then will delete the files once the copy is complete.
Yep. Even after that, Steam does an integrity check to verify that the files went through fine without any bits lost.
You would probably be fine
You stop a cut/paste midway, and you're fine?
It's not a cut/paste. It's a copy/paste/delete which is fine.
I just wish it had a way to minimize or dismiss the dialog and have it keep running in the background. I don't want to sit around and watch it move a really large game for 20 minutes.