Steam is an excellent platform to play, discuss, share and create games. It allows you to play purchased games on any device just by logging into your account. Hence, you can save considerable computer space when you play games. Moreover, the app is absolutely free to download and use. There are even several offline games that you can enjoy without a network connection. However, if you reinstall games on Steam, you may not be able to restore the game data, rounds cleared, and customization settings, without a backup. Hence, if you want to backup Steam games on your PC, then continue reading the article to learn how to use the backup and restore feature of Steam.
How to Backup Steam Games
Here are two simple methods to backup games on Steam on your computer. One is by using an in-built feature provided by the Steam Client and another is through manual copy-pasting. You can use either of these at your convenience.
Method 1: Using Backup and Restore Games Feature
This is an easy backup method that restores your Steam games whenever needed. All the currently installed games will be backed up. All you need to do is to choose a backup location and begin the process.
Note: This method does not backup saved games, configuration files, and multiplayer maps.
1. Launch Steam and sign in using your Login credentials.
2. Click on the Steam tab at the top left corner of the screen.
3. Next, select the Backup and Restore Games… option, as depicted.
4. Check the option titled Backup currently installed programs, and click on the NEXT > button.
5. Now, select the programs you want to include in this backup and click on NEXT > to continue.
Note: Only programs which are fully downloaded and up-to-date will be available for backup. The Disk space required will also be displayed on the screen.
6. Browse Backup destination to choose location for backup and click on NEXT > to proceed.
Note: If necessary, your backup will be split into multiple files for easy storage on CD-R or DVD-R.
7. Edit your Backup file name and click on NEXT to continue.
Wait until the backup process is completed. You will be able to view its progress in Time remaining field.
Finally, a successful confirmation prompt will appear. This would mean that the said game/s are now backed up.
Method 2: Making Copy of steamapps Folder
You can manually backup Steam games by copying the Steamapps folder to an alternate location on your computer as well.
- For games that belong to Valve Corporation, all the files will be stored in C Drive, Program Files folders, by default
- For games that belong to third-party developers, the location may vary.
- If you changed the location during installation, navigate to that directory to locate steamapps folder.
Note: If you are unable to locate this folder or have forgotten install location for the game, read our guide Where Are Steam Games Installed? here.
1. Press and hold Windows + E keys together to open File Manager.
2. Now, navigate to either of these two locations to locate steamapps folder.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam C:\Program Files \Steam
3. Copy the steamapps folder by pressing Ctrl + C keys together.
4. Navigate to a different location and paste it by pressing Ctrl + V keys.
This backup will remain saved on your PC and you can use it, whenever required.
How to Reinstall Games on Steam
Unlike uninstalling, installing Steam games can be done only within Steam app. All you need to reinstall games is:
- A strong network connection,
- Correct login credentials, and
- Adequate disk space on your device.
Here’s how to reinstall games on Steam:
1. Login into Steam by entering Account name and Password.
2. Switch to the LIBRARY tab as shown.
A list of games will be displayed on the Home screen. You can install the game by using any of these three options.
3A. Click on the Download button shown highlighted.
3B. Double-click on the Game and click the INSTALL button as depicted.
3C. Right-click on the Game and select the INSTALL option, as shown.
Note: Check the box marked Create desktop shortcut & Create start menu shortcut if needed.
4. Choose location for install: manually or use the default location for the game.
5. Once done, click on NEXT > to proceed.
6. Click on I AGREE to accept the terms and conditions of the End User License Agreement (EULA).
7. Finally, click on FINISH to begin the installation.
Note: If your download is in the queue, Steam will begin the download when other downloads in the queue have been completed.
How to Restore Games on Steam
As there are two methods to backup Steam games, there are two methods to restore games on Steam as well.
Option 1: Restore After Implementing Backup Method 1
If you have backed up your Steam games using Method 1, first reinstall Steam & then, follow given steps to restore Steam games:
1. Open Steam PC Client & log in to your account.
2. Go to Steam > Backup and Restore Games… as depicted.
3. This time, check the option titled Restore a previous backup and click on NEXT > as illustrated below.
4. Now, choose the backup directory by using Browse… button to add it in Restore program from folder: field. Then, click on NEXT > to continue.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore Steam games on your PC.
Option 2: Restore After Implementing Backup Method 2
If you have followed Method 2 to back up Steam games, you can simply paste the backed up contents of steamapps folder to the new steamapps folder created after reinstalling Steam.
1. Press and hold Windows + E keys together to open File Manager.
2. Navigate to the directory where you made steamapps folder backup in Method 2.
3. Copy the steamapps folder by pressing Ctrl + C keys together.
4. Navigate to game Install location.
5. Paste steamapps folder by pressing Ctrl + V keys, as shown.
Note: Choose to Replace the folder in the destination in Replace or Skip Files confirmation prompt.
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We hope that you learned how to backup Steam games & reinstall or restore games on Steam whenever needed. If you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section. We would love to hear from you!