I want to install a Steam game into a custom directory. For example, I want to install my new game which I activated through Stem but then cancelled the installation because I have the retail disc, into the directory E:\Program Files\
.
How do I go about installing the Steam game into a custom directory?
Best Answer
There really isn't a way to install Steam to a custom directory, as it always wants to install in the default Program Files location -- usually C:\Program Files\ or C:\Program Files (x86). However, you can use the Windows "mklink" utility to create a file system pointer from the default location to wherever you want to store the files. Typically I do this with my game data files (everything under "\Steam\steamapps\common" within the Program Files folder), since these are the files that take up the most space.
Also, installing from a DVD is another matter, so I will answer that separately.
To install Steam data to a custom directory:
There is also an app which will do the heavy lifting for you, called "Steam Mover".
To install a Steam game from a DVD instead of downloading it, do the following: