Ever wonder why your games lag or even cause your whole computer to freeze when you're playing them on your PC? There could be several reasons why your games are running slow. For example, your CPU, graphics card, or RAM might not be compatible with your new game. In this case, you'll need to upgrade your gaming computer altogether or simply move the game to a new computer.

Another important reason could be that the drive you're using to install the game is running out of space or is old. In this case, you can extend the game drive, move the game to another drive, or upgrade the game drive from HDD to SSD.

This guide will show you how to move your games to another drive or to a new computer. Follow the instructions on this page to find out how. Get your games on the move and improve your gaming experience!

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In this article, you'll learn:
  • Why Move Games to Another Drive/PC - Benefits
  • When and Where to Move Games
  • Guide 1: How to Move Games from One Drive to Another in Windows (C to D Drive or External HDD)
  • Guide 2: How to Move Games from HDD to SSD, Migrate Games to a Second Disk
  • Guide 3: How to Transfer Games to a New (Gaming) PC Without Reinstalling

Why Move Games to Another Drive/PC – Benefits Explained

Why is it important to move games to another drive or even a new PC? Here are some benefits that explain why:

    • Free up disk space: Make room for your operating system and game drives.
    • Improve gaming performance: Speed up game loading times and enhance gameplay smoothness.
    • Moving games without reinstalling: You don't need to uninstall and reinstall games on another drive.
    • Segregate games from data: Moving games to another drive can effectively protect your personal files from being affected by the game. This prevents your files from being altered or deleted by game data.

Unlike most casual users, gamers and gaming enthusiasts tend to keep their gaming data separate from their personal data. Some even go so far as to dedicate a separate gaming computer for the purpose, while using a desktop for everyday work and documents.

When and where to move the game

Given most Windows users' experiences, many gamers do not know when they should move a game to another drive, or where.

Well, when and where is this all going to move? Here's your answer.

1. When do you need to move the game:

    • Low disk space on C drive
    • The computer runs games slowly
    • You buy a new SSD or gaming PC
    • Games run slowly or with lag, causing frequent stuttering

2. Where can I move the game?

Where can you transfer your game then? Check out this list:

    • Moving the game to another drive – from HDD to SSD, or to a larger HDD.
    • Moving the game from C: to D: drive.
    • Moving the game to a new computer, e.g. a new gaming PC.

Here is a list of recommendations for gamers of all levels:

    - Beginner: Move the game from drive C to drive D. - Advanced user: Move the OS and games from an HDD to a faster SSD. - Limited storage user: Move games to an external drive with twice or triple the capacity of your internal drive. - Gaming enthusiast or pro: Migrate games to a dedicated gaming rig.

The question is: how do I move the game to another drive? Follow these three guides:

You can refer to the appropriate guide depending on your current status, and successfully migrate your game saves and user data. Let's get started.

# Navigation 2: How to Move Games from One Drive to Another in Windows (C to D or External Disk) [UTF-8]

    - If you installed the game from the Microsoft Store, use Method 1. - Try Method 2 if you downloaded the game from another platform or aren't very computer literate. - Use Method 3 if you have a Steam, Epic, Riot, Blizzard, or Xbox game.

Method 1: Manually Move a PC Game to Another Drive - Microsoft's Way

Applies to: Moving a game from the C drive to the D drive, or moving a game to a different drive on the same disk.

Step 1: Go to "Settings," then click on "Apps," and select "Apps & features."

Step 2: Find the game you downloaded from the Microsoft Store, click it, and select “Move.”

Step 3: Click the drop-down list and select a new drive (such as D:), then click Move.

Move Microsoft games to another drive

Method 2: Move All Downloaded Games to Another Drive at Once - Automated

Applies to: Moving the game from drive C to drive D, relocating the game to a second hard drive or SSD, or transferring the game to an external drive without reinstalling.

If you're not comfortable with computers or need an automated way to transfer your games, you can use a tool like Todo PCTrans and its app migration feature. It lets users of all skill levels safely move installed programs, applications, and even games to another local drive or external disk without needing to reinstall them.

Note: If you want to move the game to an external hard drive, make sure the drive is connected to the source computer so the game launches and plays correctly.

Step 1: Connect the target drive to your computer

Where do you want to move the game to? Connect the hard drive to the PC with Todo PCTrans properly using the appropriate cable. Run the game transfer software, select "App Migration," and click "Start."

Select "App Migration" to change the game location
Select App Migration to change the game location

Step 2: Choose the game you want to change the location for.

On the left pane, select the original drive where the game program is installed. Find the game and check the box next to it. Click on the triangle icon to assign the target drive as the file path. When you're done with your selections, click on “Transfer.”

Select the destination location.

Step 3: Transfer the game to the target drive

This will move the game from its original location to your custom location. Wait for the process to complete.

Tap on “Transfer” to change the game location. Tap to change game location

Additional Tip: Moving Games from Steam, Epic, Riot, Blizzard, Xbox, and More to Another Drive

There are few games available in Microsoft's Windows Store, and many popular titles are offered by dedicated gaming platforms, such as Sony, Blizzard, Steam, and Origin, which have their own ecosystems.

So, how to move these games and game apps to another disk on your PC? You can refer to the following guide:

Read More: How to Transfer Xbox Games to PC

Method 1: Move a Steam Game to Another Drive

Step 1. Copy your Steam games folder to the new drive.

    Create a new folder on the new drive and name it "steamapps." In Steam, go to Settings, click on "Downloads," then select "Steam Library Folders," and hit "Add Library Folder." Browse and choose the newly created "steamapps" folder, then create a subfolder within it named "common." Next, go to the folder where your Steam games are currently stored and copy the game's folder to the "steamapps\common" folder on the new drive.

Move Steam games to another drive

Step 2: Right-click the game in your Steam Library and select “Delete Local Content.”

Step 3. Find the game you removed in your Steam library, and click "Install." In the "Select a location" drop-down menu, browse and choose the new drive's Steam games folder.

When it's done, you can play your Steam games from the new drive just as you normally would.

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Additional Tips

Aside from this method, you can also use the Todo PCTrans tool to move Steam apps to a new drive. For games, you can also refer to the Steam Library Manager to move a Steam game to a new drive.

Method 2: Move Epic Games to Another Drive

Step 1. Locate the Epic Games installation folder on your computer.

For example, it should be C:\Program Files\Epic\Fortnite by default.

Create a new folder on the new disk and name it "Games."

Step 3: Copy the "\Epic\Fortnite\" folder to the new drive's game installation folder.

    • Source: C:\Program Files\Epic\Fortnite
    • Destination: E:\Games\Epic\Fortnite

Step 4: Uninstall Epic Games through the Epic Games Launcher: Go to your Library, click on “Settings,” then “Uninstall.”

Uninstall Epic Games

Step 5: Reinstall Epic Games on the new disk: Open the Epic Games Launcher, click "Install," and then click "Change" to browse for the new disk you want to use for the installation. Finally, click "Install."

Change Epic Games Location

Aside from the manual method, you can also use the Command Prompt to move Epic Games from the C drive to another location.

Still can't find a solution for your gaming platform? Don't worry, check out these tutorials:

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Guide 2: How to Move Games from HDD to SSD or Migrate Games to a Second Drive

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to choose the right gaming SSD, set it up, and migrate your games to it without any boot issues. Let's get started:

Important: If you have already installed a new SSD in your computer, proceed to the third tutorial guide below.

#1. Choose a new gaming SSD

Step 1: Open your desktop or laptop computer's case and determine if it has room for a second hard drive. Also, check the available drive bays to see what type of SSD interface your computer supports:

    These are types of computer hardware interfaces: - SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment): A serial interface used for connecting storage devices like hard drives and optical drives. - PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express): A high-speed interface for connecting expansion cards to the motherboard, such as graphics cards and network adapters. - M.2: A high-speed interface standard primarily used for solid-state drives (SSDs), designed for compact devices and ultrathin computing platforms. - mSATA: A smaller version of the SATA interface, commonly found in solid-state drives for laptops and other compact devices. - U.2: An interface for high-performance SSDs, similar to PCIe but utilizing SAS/SATA physical connections. - SATA Express: An interface that combines SATA and PCIe technologies, aiming to provide higher data transfer speeds; however, it has not gained significant adoption in the market.

The most common types are SATA and M.2.

Step 2: Validate the game request, and determine the speed with which the game must load.

Then benchmark your SSD's read and write speeds:

SSD Model Read Speed Write Speed Price
SATA 550 MB/S 520 MB/S
  • 250GB: $40-$60
  • 500GB: $45-$70
  • 1TB: $65 - $155
M.2
  • SATA: >500 MB/S
  • NVMe: >3000 MB/S
  • SATA: >500 MB/S
  • NVMe: >3000 MB/S
  • 250GB: $40-$90
  • 500GB: $50 - $160
  • 1TB: $90 - $200
NVMe
  • PCIe 3.0: >3000 MB/S
  • PCIe 4.0: >7000 MB/S
  • PCIe 3.0: >3000 MB/S
  • PCIe 4.0: >7000 MB/S
  • 250GB: $50 - $90
  • 500GB: $70 - $160
  • 1TB: $120 - $200

Does SSD speed matter for gaming? Click here to learn more.

Step 3: Choose the right SSD.

Here's a list of the best SSDs for gaming in 2022, choose one that suits you: 1. Samsung 980 Pro - Offering exceptional speed and reliability, this SSD is a top choice for gamers. 2. Western Digital Black SN850 - Known for its fast load times and high endurance, it's an excellent option. 3. Corsair MP600 - Boasting impressive read/write speeds, this SSD ensures smooth gaming experiences. 4. Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus - A cost-effective solution with great performance, perfect for those on a budget. 5. WD Blue SN570 - Delivering solid performance at an affordable price, ideal for entry-level gaming systems. Please note that prices and availability may vary depending on your location. Make sure to check the latest information before making a purchase.

    • WD Black SN850
    • Silicon Power US70
    • Samsung 980 Pro
    • Seagate FireCuda 530
    • Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB
    This is a list of popular NVMe SSDs: 1. WD Black SN850 2. Silicon Power US70 3. Samsung 980 Pro 4. Seagate FireCuda 530 5. Kingston Fury Renegade 2TB

As long as your SSD of choice gets the job done for your gaming needs, its absence from this list doesn't matter.

#2. Install and Set Up the New SSD for Game Migration

Step 1: Open up your computer case and connect the SSD to your PC.

Install a new SSD

Step 2. Open Disk Management and initialize the SSD as GPT (if the disk is less than 2 TB, use MBR).

Initialize SSD

Step 3: Right-click on the "Unallocated" space on the SSD and select "New Simple Volume...". Set the drive letter and file system to NTFS, then finish creating the new partition on the SSD.

Create partition on SSD

#3. Migrate your games to the new SSD drive from the C: drive

With the new SSD all set up, it's time to move your games over. For this, you'll need reliable third-party migration software like Todo PCTrans.

It will effectively move your game installations and data to the new drive, including:

    • Diablo
    • World of Warcraft
    • Overwatch
    • Hearthstone
    • StarCraft
    • Warcraft
    • Heroes of the Storm
    • Minecraft

Step-by-step guide: See Method 2, Guide 1 for assistance.

Guide 3: How to Transfer Games to a New (Gaming) PC Without Reinstalling

For most professional gamers, it's taboo to install games on the same computer you use for work. If you're a serious gamer, we recommend the same approach for your personal data and favorite games.

This is because certain games require high levels of hardware and software support. Additionally, this protects your important files from being accidentally modified or deleted by game caches, screenshots, or videos.

So, how do you transfer your games from the old computer to the new one? There are two ways you can go about it:

Method 1: Back Up Your Game Account, Uninstall the Game, and Reinstall on Your New Computer

    • Back up and copy your game account and password.
    • Uninstall the game on your old computer.
    • Redownload and reinstall the game on your new computer.

While this is a feasible solution, it's too complicated and not an efficient method. To migrate games and game apps to a new computer without reinstalling, you can use the Todo PCTrans tool.

#2. Use the tool Todo PCTrans to automatically transfer games to your new computer

With Todo PCTrans installed on both your old and new computers, you can migrate your games – along with platforms like Steam – straight to your new machine.

Step 1: Run the Todo PCTrans tool on both computers

Download Todo PCTrans, and you'll see the PC-to-PC interface.

Step 2: Choose the transfer direction - from the old computer or to the new one

"This is a new computer" - transfer all data from the old one remotely to this new one.

"This is an old computer" - Transfer all data from the current old device to the new one.

Select transfer direction Select transfer direction

Step 3: Connect the two computers

1. Select the target computer you want to connect to, either by its IP address or device name, and then click "Connect."

2. Type the target computer's login password, then click OK to confirm.

If the target PC is not listed, you can click Add PC and connect to it manually by entering its IP address or device name.

Connect two computers

Step 4: Select applications, programs, and software to transfer to the destination computer

1. You can select and pick the content you want to transfer from your current computer to the target computer.

2. After selecting the apps and data you want to transfer, click on “Transfer” to commence the process.

Transfer apps from PC to PC Transfer apps from PC to PC

Conclusions

This page offers a comprehensive guide to help gamers of all levels move their games to a new drive, disk, or computer without having to reinstall them.

If you're unsure when and where to move your games, refer to the beginner's guide for help. For step-by-step instructions, you can refer to Guide 1, Guide 2, and Guide 3 on how to successfully move your games from the C drive to another local disk, a new SSD, or even to a new PC.

In addition, you might have other questions about migrating your games.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Games

Here, we have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions, along with our answers.

**1. How to Move PS4 Games to Another Drive**

    • Connect your PS4 or PS5 game's hard drive to your computer and format it as exFAT.
    • Insert the hard drive into your PS4 console.
    • Power on your PS4, navigate to "System," then click "Storage" and "System Storage."
    • Click "Apps" and press the "Options" button.
    • Select "Move to External Storage" on the pop-up screen, then choose the game you want to transfer.
    • Select "Move."

Your PS4 games will automatically transfer to the destination drive. Once that's done, you can replace your old game drive with the new one.

**2. Can I transfer my Epic game to Steam?**

Syncing or transferring Epic Games to the Steam app is not allowed. However, you can try moving the Epic Games directory to your Steam games folder:

    • Locate and open the Epic Games folder on your computer.
    • Find the Steam games folder on your computer.
    • Copy the game folder from Epic Games into the Steam folder.
    • Check if you can add a game that's available on both Steam and Epic.
    • If you can, add it to Steam and launch it. See if you can log in with your old game account.
    • If not, sorry, but you can't transfer games from Epic to Switch, as some games

How do I move or add Origin games to Steam?

By 2020, Origin's catalog may migrate to Steam, and gamers will be able to share and transfer games from Origin to Steam.

Here is how it could work:

    • Download a free Origin game from Steam.
    • Sign into your Origin account in the game to save your progress.
    • Open your Steam library, click "Add a Game," then select "Add a Non-Steam Game."
    • Browse for and select the games you want. Click "Add Selected Programs."

Move Origin Games to Steam

Wait for the program to finish.