How to get Steam to recognize existing game files from a different source?

I think the following is the correct way to currently do what I wanted:

  1. Ensure that Steam thinks the game is not installed. Close Steam just to be sure.
  2. Copy the game files to SteamApps\common\<game_name>, where <game_name> is to be found out via googling/equivalent. In my specific instance, this was Batman Arkham City GOTY.
  3. Launch Steam and install the game. The installation will go through a "Discovering existing files for _" stage.
  4. Watch and wait as it downloads only the missing parts.

I still have to download 9.8 GB though (instead of 17) in my specific case.


I have found best way.
Steam -> Setting -> Download -> Steam Library Folder -> Add you old folder

Ideal folder structure that i added
Main Folder
- SteamApps
  - common
    - dota 2 beta
    - dota 2 test
  - downloading
  - temp
  - appmanifest_xxx
- steam.dll
- steam2.dll

Actually you can bind a steam app folder simply from the steam gui!

view -> settings -> download -> steam library folder

and then choose your shared steam folder. Also now steam let you choose where download games; i hove NOT tested cross-gaming (using the same folder on windows and linux), but just relinked my folder (somehow steam lost track of my external HDD) and everythings work fine.

Tested having game in different HDD/partition and works fine. If you Start up steam without external HDD, a reboot of steam is needed to let it "see" the folder

Tags:

Steam

Recent Posts