Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Before uninstalling Steam or moving to another PC, verify Steam Cloud has finished syncing for each game, then make a separate copy of any saves that are not confirmed to be covered. Steam Cloud support and the files it syncs vary by game, and Steam’s game backup feature may omit saves. Keep the original PC or save copy available until you have opened the game on the destination and confirmed your progress is there.
What to do before uninstalling Steam or changing PCs
Use this order: check each game’s Cloud support, let the old PC finish syncing, copy uncertain or local-only saves separately, and test the result on the destination before removing the original. Treat each game as its own case: a Cloud icon or successful sync for one title does not establish that another title saves to Steam Cloud or uploads every file you need.
- Make a list of the games whose progress matters. Include games you expect to reinstall later, not just the one you last played. This helps prevent overlooking a title that stores its saves outside the Steam folder.
- Check Steam Cloud support game by game. On the game’s Store page, look for the Steam Cloud logo. In your Library, right-click the game, select Properties, and check the General tab for its Cloud synchronization setting. Steam says developers can customize Cloud use, including which user files are uploaded, so support does not guarantee that every save or configuration file is included. See Steam Support’s Steam Cloud FAQ.
- Bring the old PC online and wait for sync to finish. Check the game’s sync status in Steam and resolve any error before relying on Cloud. If you played offline, syncing may still be pending. Steam warns that launching while a sync error remains can create a conflict or lose progress; do not assume that closing Steam or uninstalling will complete an unfinished upload.
- Copy saves separately when Cloud coverage is absent or uncertain. Find the specific game’s save folder and copy it somewhere outside the Steam install directory. If the location is unclear, consult the game’s Steam Community information, official website, or developer or publisher support. Do this even when you plan to use Steam’s Backup Feature.
- Preserve installed game files only if you want them. If you are uninstalling Steam on Windows and want to retain downloaded game content, move the
steamappsfolder outside the Steam installation directory first. It preserves installation files, not a guaranteed copy of saves. Steam’s Uninstall Steam instructions explain this distinction. - Test on the destination before deleting anything. Restore or copy the save to the game’s expected location, launch the game, and check for the expected progress. Keep the old PC or original save until this works.
How Steam Cloud works—and what its status does not prove
Steam Cloud can make a save available on another PC, but support and behavior are set per game. Steam’s FAQ explains that developers can customize which user files are uploaded. As a result, a title may use Cloud for some files but not all the files you care about, and another title may rely on local saves instead. The Store page logo and the Library’s Properties > General setting are useful checks, but the important practical test is whether the expected progress is present on the destination.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Before leaving the old PC, open Steam while online and allow the game’s synchronization to complete. If Steam reports an error or a pending sync, treat the local save as potentially newer and preserve it manually before changing or removing anything. Offline play can leave local changes unsynced, so a save that exists on the old PC may not yet be in the Cloud.
#1 Best Overall
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Steam’s default local Cloud-related folders are listed below. These are not universal save-file locations: their contents are associated with Steam Cloud and organized by account and game identifiers. A game can store saves elsewhere, including outside Steam’s own directories.
| Operating system | Default local Steam Cloud-related folder |
|---|---|
| Windows | C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata |
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata |
| Linux | ~/.local/share/Steam/userdata |
Within userdata, account folders contain game folders identified by appID. These folders can help you locate Cloud-related local data, but do not assume that a folder there is the complete save for every game. Steam says each developer decides how and where to store saves; its Moving a Steam Installation and Games guidance makes that game-specific nature explicit.
Rank #2
- Capacity Display Variance: 500GB external ssd often appears as around 465GB on Windows. MacOS can show full 500 GB capacity. This is binary calculation difference and doesn’t affect SSD hard drive actual physical storage
- 1050 MB/s Speed: Instantly access to your files with blazing-fast 10Gbps external SSD read up to 1050MB/s and write up to 1000MB/s. LED Light indicates USB SSD instant activity
- Data Security: Solid state drives S.M.A.R.T. health diagnostics and adaptive TRIM optimizing data block management ensures consistent write speeds and extends the longevity of the portable SSD
- USB-C & USB-A Cable: Both cables featuring rapid USB 3.2 Gen2, this USB SSD effortlessly bridges devices, enabling seamless cross-platform file transfers and backup between computers, smartphones, tablets and iPhone
- Always Fast: No slowdowns for large file transfers. With SLC caching (25% of current available capacity allocated as high-speed cache), this external SSD delivers steady 10Gbps for transfers within the cache capacity
How to make a separate copy of game saves
A manual copy is the safety net for games without confirmed Cloud coverage or where you cannot establish that the wanted files are synced. You need to identify the right folder for the particular title; copying an unrelated Steam directory is not a substitute.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match- Identify the game’s save location. On Windows,
C:Users[user]DocumentsMy Gamesis a useful place to check for many third-party games, but it is not a universal path. Replace[user]with the Windows account name. Saves may be elsewhere, and the game’s documentation or developer support is a better source if the location is not obvious. - Check whether the game is using Cloud and whether progress is current. If Steam Cloud is enabled, let Steam sync first. If it is not enabled, is absent from the Store page, or its coverage is unclear, proceed with a separate copy rather than inferring that the save is safe online.
- Copy the save folder, not just a shortcut. Use the operating system’s file manager to copy the game’s actual save folder and its contents to a location outside the Steam installation directory. A second location—such as a USB backup drive or portable external SSD—can protect against losing access to the old computer, but storage does not identify or restore the correct save automatically.
- Keep the copy intact until verification. Do not overwrite the only original while testing a restore. If you use more than one save slot or profile, preserve the relevant files together rather than choosing a single file without knowing the game’s format.
- Record enough context to restore it. Keep the game title and, if useful, the original folder path with the copy. This avoids confusion if you back up several games whose folders have similar names.
There is no single save path that applies to every Steam game. Steam specifically notes that developers decide how and where saves are stored. If searches in common Windows folders do not reveal the save, consult the individual game’s support material or contact its developer or publisher rather than guessing at a path.
Rank #3
- Solid state performance with up to 800MB/s read speeds in a portable drive. (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions and other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Back up your content and memories on a storage solution that fits seamlessly into your mobile lifestyle.
- Take it with you on your adventures—up to two-meter drop protection means this durable drive can take a beating. (Based on internal testing.)
- Secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind thanks to the tough rubber hook.
- From Sandisk, a brand professional photographers trust to take on assignments.
Steam Backup Feature, save files, and steamapps are different
Steam’s Backup Feature is for compatible game files and can restore those files through Steam’s Restore Game Backup option. It is not a dependable all-in-one save backup. Steam warns that many games using third-party installers or downloaders are incompatible with the feature; it also says backups of Valve-created games do not include saved games or certain custom content. For third-party games, save locations vary and files may need to be copied back into the appropriate folders after restoring the game.
Steam’s feature is accessed from the game’s Library properties under Installed Files. Use it when you want a backup of compatible game installation files, but make a separate save copy if you need to protect progress. Steam’s instructions for the Steam Backup Feature recommend testing backup copies.
Rank #4
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
| Approach | What it is meant to preserve | Does it guarantee the wanted save? | Old-PC access and verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Cloud | Game-specific user files selected for Cloud syncing by that game’s developer. | No. Support and the files synced vary by game; confirm the sync completed and check progress on the destination. | Use the old PC to confirm the sync status when possible. Verify by launching the game on the destination and checking the progress. |
| Manual save copy | The game-specific save files or folder you locate and copy. | It can preserve local-only saves if you identify and copy the correct files, then restore them to the expected location. | Finding and copying saves usually requires access to the old PC. Keep the original available and test the restored save in the game. |
| Steam Backup Feature | Compatible game files intended for reinstalling or restoring the game. | No. Backups may omit saves, and some games are incompatible. | Restore the compatible game files through Steam, then separately restore saves if needed and verify in-game. |
Moving steamapps |
Downloaded game installation content retained outside the Steam directory before uninstalling. | No. It is not a complete save backup. | Relevant when uninstalling Steam on Windows and retaining installations; still verify saves separately on the destination. |
For keeping installation files, Steam recommends its “Moving a Steam Installation” process to simplify backup and restoration. That is distinct from saving progress: moving game content or backing up installation files does not establish that the save files were copied. If you are uninstalling Steam and want to preserve downloaded games, follow Steam’s uninstall guidance for moving steamapps before uninstalling.
How to restore and verify saves on the new PC
Install the game on the destination PC before restoring a manual copy, so you can identify where that game expects its files. Restore the save to the corresponding game-specific folder, not automatically to userdata or DocumentsMy Games. Which location is correct depends on the title.
Best Value
- NEARLY 2X FASTER THAN OUR PREVIOUS GENERATION(8) – move 1,000 high-res photos in under 60 seconds(6) with up to 2000MB/s transfer speeds(2).
- IP65 RATING AND UP TO 3M DROP PROTECTION(3) – protects against spills and drops.
- POCKET-SIZED – fits easily in pockets and small bags.
- SPACE TO OWN YOUR AI CONTENT – speed and capacity to download your high-res clips and photo edits.
- 256-BIT AES ENCRYPTION(4) – helps keep private files secure with password protection.
- Install Steam and the game, then start Steam online. Let Steam finish any Cloud synchronization before deciding whether to copy a local save over the destination’s files.
- If Cloud has the expected progress, launch and confirm it. Open the game and inspect the relevant profile, slot, or campaign. Do not rely on a folder existing as proof that the game loaded it.
- If restoring a manual copy, find the game’s expected save folder. Use the same game-specific guidance you used to locate the original. If the new installation has already created a save, preserve that file before replacing anything.
- Copy the backed-up files into the expected location. Keep the backup itself unchanged. If the game presents a conflict between local and Cloud data, compare the available versions before selecting one.
- Launch the game and verify the actual progress. Check the save slot or point in the game that matters to you. If it is missing or incorrect, close the game without deleting the backup and review the conflict or path before trying again.
Steam’s backup instructions recommend testing copies. For a save, the meaningful test is a successful in-game load on the destination while the original remains available—not simply seeing a copied folder or a completed game-file restore.
What to do if Steam reports a Cloud conflict or old progress
A Cloud conflict means the local and Cloud versions differ because files changed in two places without synchronization. Steam cannot decide automatically which version you want to keep. Compare the timestamps Steam shows with when you played on each computer. The newest timestamp may correspond to your latest session, but choose according to your own save history rather than treating “newest” as proof that it contains the desired progress.
- If you still have the old PC: reopen Steam there, connect to the internet, and see whether the game can sync successfully. If it can, the newer PC may receive the progress on its next launch. Keep a manual copy of the old save before changing files if you are unsure which version to keep.
- If the old PC was used offline: the local save may contain progress that never reached Cloud. Preserve that local file and resolve the sync conflict by comparing the known play sessions and timestamps.
- If the new PC has only earlier progress: confirm the game uses Steam Cloud, then check whether the old machine still has the save. If the old computer is unavailable and the game kept saves locally rather than in Cloud, Steam says the local-only save may not be recoverable.
- If the conflict choice is unclear: avoid overwriting the only copy. Preserve the files from both locations if possible, then consult the game’s developer or publisher support for the title-specific save behavior.
Steam’s Cloud guidance is the source for its description of conflicts and recovery options: Steam Cloud FAQ.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Why Local Network Game Transfers do not move saves
Steam Local Network Game Transfers move game installation and update content between computers on a local network. They do not send local save games or configuration files, and they do not transfer Steam Workshop or Steam Cloud files. Use Cloud synchronization or a separate save-file copy for progress instead. See Steam’s Local Network Game Transfers guidance.
Quick Recap
Final pre-uninstall checklist
- For every game whose progress matters, check its Cloud support and wait for the old PC’s sync to complete.
- Make a separate copy of saves where Cloud coverage is missing or uncertain, using the game’s actual save location.
- If retaining downloaded games while uninstalling Steam on Windows, move
steamappsoutside the Steam directory; do not mistake it for a save backup. - On the destination, launch each game and confirm the expected progress before deleting the original save or removing access to the old PC.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
