How to Backup Steam Games to Another Computer [Detailed Guides]

Steam is the most popular and comprehensive digital distribution platform for gamers to buy, download and discuss games on Steam.

Many gamers have a lot of Steam games downloaded on their computers, but when they want to switch to a new device or want to play Steam games on another computer without downloading, how to backup Steam games to another computer becomes a problem.

Do not miss this post. We will introduce you to 3 solutions to help you get your goal with great ease. But before we start, let's first learn to identify the type of game files you want to back up.

The Types of Game Files

Game files cover a wide range of types. For different purposes, the type of game files you need is not the same.

The first type is the game's local files, which are responsible for the regular functioning of the game. If you want to save the time of re-downloading the game on a new computer, backing up these files is necessary.

But these local files do not contain your game saves and other personal data. That said, if you want to load your previous game progress on a new device, you must back up other types of files.

Here is a breakdown of Steam games files containing custom content, which Steam also distinguishes in folders.

• \save\ - game saves.
• \cfg\ - Configurations and configuration scripts.
• \materials\ - Custom skins or textures.
• \downloads\ - Custom contents [multiplayer games].
• \maps\ - Custom maps that have been installed [multiplayer games].

You can find these types of game files in this path:

3 Ways to Backup Steam Games to Another Computer

With the above, I believe you have figured out the type of files you want to back up to another PC. Then, you can choose your favorite one from the three methods we provide to back up the game files you need.

1. Method 1. Search in File Explorer
2. Method 2. Backup through Steam Built-in Function
3. Method 3. Using Professional Backup Software

Method 1. Search in File Explorer

The first method requires you to first find the location of the files you want to back up via Windows File Explorer, copy these files manually and paste them to an external hard drive, or upload them to cloud space.

We will demonstrate the whole process for you by backing up Cyberpunk 2077 saves as an example.

Step 1. Run the Windows File Explorer, and navigate to its save location.

Step 2. Right-click the whole folder and copy it to the external HDD you prepared.

The speed of the whole backup process is related to the size of the files you want to back up. If you want to back up your game's local files in this way, then you need to be prepared that it will take a long time.

Method 2. Backup through Steam Built-in Function

Steam has a built-in function that can help you back up or restore game files. But it can only back up the local game files, not include your game saves or other custom data.

The steps to back up game files to another computer with Steam are provided below.

Launch your Steam.

Step 1. Navigate to Steam> Backup and Restore Games.

Step 2. Choose the Backup currently installed programs option, and hit Next.

Step 3. Here you can see the games or software you have installed on your old PC. Choose the games you want to back up and hit Next.

Step 4. Now hit the BROWSE button to select the backup destination, and hit NEXT.

Step 5. Then you can follow the prompts Steam gives and start the backup process.

Though this method won't help you back up game saves or other personal settings, some games support Steam Cloud, and the saves of these games are automatically synced to the cloud servers provided by Steam. Once you have downloaded the game on a new computer, Steam Cloud will help you sync the game to the progress you made when it was last autosaved.

However, Steam Cloud is not stable at the moment. Many Steam users have reported the same problem - Steam Cloud is not working. So I suggest you make a separate backup of your important game saves or just back up Steam Cloud. You can read the following article for more information.

How to Backup Steam Cloud Saves in 2023

This article will tell you the specific method of backing up Steam Cloud saves in detail.

Method 3. Using Professional Backup Software

Both of the above methods are simple, but they have their own limitations. The first manual method is not only cumbersome but also time-consuming; Steam can only back up your game's local files for you. 

For Steam players, we would prefer you to use more professional tools to back up your game. Let's meet EaseUS Todo Backup Home.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home is an auto-backup software that provides gamers with the best backup features. Whether it's local game files, save files, or other custom data, EaseUS can back up to another location for you in a very short time. 

In case you don't have a USB ready, you can save all your data copies in the free cloud space provided by EaseUS and recover them anytime, anywhere.

Besides helping you back up your game files to a new computer, EaseUS can also take on more tasks. You can use EaseUS TBH to create a scheduled backup plan for your game. EaseUS can automatically create an updated copy of your game files with the incremental backup mode, whenever game data changes.

Of course, EaseUS can also back up and migrate your system, automatically clone your hard drive, and provide the most stable security for all your data.

Here are the steps on how to back up game files to another computer with EaseUS Todo Backup Home.

Step 1. Click "Select backup contents" to initiate a backup.

Step 2. There are four data backup categories, File, Disk, OS, and Mail, click File.

Step 3. Local and network files will be displayed on the left side. You may extend the directory to choose which files to back up.

Step 4. Select the location where you want to store the backup by following the on-screen instructions.

Click "Options" to encrypt the backup with a password in "Backup Options," and to setup a backup schedule and choose to initiate a backup at a certain event in "Backup Scheme." There are a variety of other customization options available for the backup process.

Step 5. You may save the backup to a local disk, EaseUS' online service, or a NAS.

Step 6. EaseUS Todo Backup enables customers to back up data to a third-party cloud drive and its own cloud drive.

If you want to back up data to a third-party cloud drive, choose Local Drive, scroll down to add Cloud Device, add your account, and then log in.

You can also save backups to EaseUS's cloud storage service. Sign up for an EaseUS Account and log in after clicking EaseUS Cloud.

Step 7. To begin backup, click "Backup Now" Once the backup process has been finished, it will be shown as a card on the panel's left side. To further manage a backup job, right-click it.

Conclusion

If you are thinking about how to backup Steam games to another computer, We believe this post can help you the most. You can learn 3 ways to get your goal easily. 

Of course, we recommend you use EaseUS Todo Backup Home as your backup assistant, it can not only backup PC game saves, local game files, and all custom content, but also be your daily means of protecting your computer data.

Here are more posts about backing up games offered for you.

FAQs

1. How to move Steam games to another pc without re-downloading?

You can move Steam games to another PC without re-downloading by using Steam's built-in function. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Open Steam and navigate to Steam> Backup and Restore Games.

Step 2. Choose the Backup currently installed programs option, and hit Next.

Step 3. Choose the games you want to move and hit Next.

Step 4. Now hit the BROWSE button to select the backup destination, and hit NEXT.

Step 5. Then you can follow the prompt Steam gives and start the backup process.

Step 6. On another PC, restore the backups.

2. How to restore Steam games from another drive?

You can restore Steam games from another drive with these steps.

Step 1. Open Steam and navigate to Steam> Backup and Restore Games.

Step 2. Choose the Restore a previous backup option, and hit Next.

Step 3. Restore the program from the hard drive folder.