I installed Windows 8 on a second drive and made a Junction for Steamapps so Steam on Windows 8 could access all the 100+ already downloaded games from Windows 7. This almost worked, but each and every game wants to validate and/or redownload files if I try to launch them, and my "installed" list acts as if these games weren't there at all.
I have full access to the Windows 7 partition which "knows" which games are installed–how can I either copy files from Windows 7 or otherwise force Windows 8 steam to realize it's already got all these games downloaded?
Best Answer
In my experience with upgrading operating systems, putting the contents of the games folder in the (in your case) windows 7 steam folder, into the windows 8 one, launching through steam works, as long as the files are put in the correct path. It will appear in your library as uninstalled, however when you launch then it'll 'validate' and be ready to play in, at most, 5-10 seconds.