In this article, we will talk about moving games from an HDD to an SSD. The size of newer games is increasing. Additionally, the game files and data are beginning to take up a considerable amount of storage space. Therefore, if your hard disc is running out of RAM, it is not surprising. There is always a way to move your game to another disc drive, regardless of which game launcher you like to use.
Over the past few years, SSDs have increased in drive space. And moving games to an SSD disc is advantageous given its noticeably higher data transfer speed than HDD. You’ll not only be able to play the game more quickly, but you’ll also notice that it plays much more smoothly than it did before.
So, utilising your launcher’s built-in capabilities or by finding a workaround, this tutorial intends to assist you in moving your games from an HDD to an SSD. Let’s go right to the subject now.
Why Would You Move Games to an SSD?
First off, an SSD has no mechanical components, in contrast to an HDD. It is now quicker, quieter, and a lower power consumption than the earlier model. Therefore, if you have the available capacity, we advise you to move your games to an SSD disc. This is due to the smoother gaming experience that an SSD offers.
- There will be less game shutters.
- A game can load more quickly thanks to SSD due to its faster data transfer rate.
- When playing a game stored on an SSD, you’ll experience less noise because there are no moving parts. SSDs also use less electricity, which results in cooler CPUs.
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Methods for Moving Games From HDD to SSD
The process of moving games from an HDD to an SSD is rather simple. Although most game launchers provide you a particular functionality to achieve this, as was already discussed, there are others for which we might need to get a bit inventive and hunt for solutions. The precise steps you may take to transfer games to an SSD utilising some of the most well-liked game clients are listed below.
Steam
On order to move the installed game directly to this folder using the Steam programme, you must first create a new library folder in the SSD drive. How to move Steam games to an SSD is described in the steps down below.
- Start the Steam software.
- Click Steam by moving your cursor to the upper left corner.
- Access Settings.
- Select Downloads.
- Select Folders in the Steam Library now.
- The + button next to one of your disc devices should be clicked.
- Click Add after choosing a location for your games on the SSD disc.
- Return to the Steam Library Folders window at this time.
- Choose the game you wish to transfer from the original Steam library disc.
- Select Move.
- Choose the SSD disc where you already established a folder for your Steam library.
- Moving on, start your game.
You can move your games directly from the library if you have previously made a new library folder on your SSD. Due to this,
- Start the Steam software.
- Right-click the game you want to transfer from the left side.
- Choosing Properties.
- Then choose Local Files.
- Move the instal folder now.
- Click on Move after choosing the SSD drive from the selection box.
Games Epic
There is no built-in method for users to relocate an installed game to another location in the Epic games launcher. That does not exclude us from moving games to an SSD, though. We can manipulate the launcher itself to shift your game folder using a workaround. Due to this,
- Go to the installation place for your fantastic game and first copy the game folder to your SSD disc.
- The installation location is C:Program FilesEpic Games by default.
- Open the Epic Game Launcher at this time.
- Visit a library.
- Select Uninstall by clicking on the three dots next to the game you wish to move.
- Return to Library after the uninstalling procedure is finished.
- Choose the SSD disc as your installation directory to instal the same game.
- When 1-2% of the game has been downloaded, select Cancel Install by clicking on the three dots next to the game.
- After that, navigate to the installation directory on your SSD drive and copy the game folder there from step 1.
- If asked, select Replace.
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Origin
The prior built-in ability to relocate your game appears to have been removed by a more recent release of Origin. So once more, in order to transfer your game to an SSD, we must rely on a workaround. To move your games to an SSD, you must here modify the download location. due to this.
- Start by going to your SSD drive and making a new folder called Origin Games.
- Open Origin now.
- Click Origin while moving your cursor to the upper left corner.
- Choosing Application Settings.
- Visit the Installs & Saves category.
- Click Change folder from the Game library location menu.
- On the SSD disc, choose Origin Games, then click Select Folder.
- Close Origin after changing the download location.
- Navigate to the installation location for the initial Origin game.
- Origin Games’ default location is C:Program Files (x86).
- Copy the game folder, then place it on the SSD drive’s Origin Games.
- Open Origin once more right now.
- Visiting My Game Library.
- Click Download after selecting the game you copied to the SSD.
Shop Microsoft
The simplest games to move to an SSD are usually those downloaded from the Microsoft shop. Directly from the settings app, all the procedures may be finished. The steps are as follows:
- For Settings to open, press Win + I.
- Apps may be chosen in the left side.
- Select Applications & Features.
- Select Move by clicking the three dots next to the game you wish to move.
- The SSD drive should be chosen from the drop-down option.
- Moving on, start your game.
Battle.net
Additionally, there is no built-in functionality on Battle.net to transfer your game to a different disc. The game launcher may be instructed to read and run the game from a specific place, though. For this reason, Activate the Battle.net client.
- Select Settings by clicking the blizzard icon in the upper left corner.
- Then click Game Install/Update.
- Observe the location of the game’s installation folder.
- On your PC, locate this folder. Copy the game folder there, then paste it on your SSD disc.
- Return to the Battle.net programme now.
- Redirect to the Game Install/Update window once again.
- Select Use a Different Folder by clicking the button under the game you relocated.
- Select the SSD drive folder where you moved the game.
- Then click Done.
A Galaxy GOG
The GOG Galaxy launcher may be tricked into using your SSD to run games by transferring the game files from the file explorer, which is similar to the aforementioned workarounds. You may achieve this by following the instructions below:
- Go to the installation location for the GOG game.
- It is C:Program Files (x86)GOG Galaxy Games by default.
- The game folder should be cut and pasted to your SSD disc.
- Open GOG Galaxy now.
- On your screen, click the Gear icon in the upper left corner.
- Choose Add friends & games.
- Click on Scan folders for GOG Games to continue.
- scan-folders-for-gog-games.
- Click Select Folder, then select the game folder you transferred to the SSD drive.
- After the validation procedure is finished, you may begin playing.
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Rogue Games
The transfer of a Riot game is a little more difficult than the previous processes. It’s not impossible, though, because the JSON file allows for changing the game’s directory. As a result, to do this:
- Go to the location where you installed the game, copy the folder, and then paste it on your SSD disc.
- To open the run command box, press Win + R.
- Enter %programdata% by typing it.
- Locate and open the Riot Games folder on the resulting Window.
- Right-click RiotClientInstalls.json and select “Open with Notepad” from the menu.
- Replace the one on the associated client game address with the new game file path copied from your SSD storage.
