How to Move PC Games to Another Drive in Windows 11 25H2

Modern PC games are getting massive. It’s now common for titles to exceed 100–150 GB, quickly filling up your system drive. If your SSD is constantly full, performance, updates, and even system responsiveness can suffer.

Fortunately, Windows 11 (25H2) and modern game launchers make it easier than ever to move games to another drive without reinstalling everything.

This guide explains the latest, reliable methods in Windows 11 25H2 for Steam, Xbox, Epic Games, Battle.net, Ubisoft Connect, and more.

Why Moving Games to Another Drive Matters

Before jumping into steps, here’s why you should consider relocating games:

• Free up space on your main SSD (usually C: drive)
• Improve system performance and update stability
• Organize your game library more efficiently
• Reduce loading bottlenecks on overloaded drives

In some cases, moving games from a nearly full SSD can even prevent stuttering or shader compilation issues.

How to Move Steam Games to Another Drive (Windows 11 25H2)

Steam makes this process simple with built-in library management.

1- Open Steam and click on ‘Steam’ in the top-left corner. Select ‘Settings’ from the dropdown menu.

2- In the Settings window, choose ‘Downloads’ from the sidebar. Then, click on the ‘Steam Library Folders’ button.

3- In the Storage Manager, click on the ‘+’ icon or ‘Add Library Folder’. Select the new drive where you want to create the library and confirm by clicking ‘Add’.

4- Navigate to your game library within Steam. Right-click the game you wish to move, select ‘Properties’, and go to the ‘Local Files’ tab.

5- Click on ‘Move Install Folder’. In the dropdown menu, choose the new library folder you just created.

6- Click ‘Move’ to initiate the transfer. The process may take several minutes depending on the game’s size. Once completed, your game will reside on the new drive.

For more detailed information on moving games in Steam, you can refer to our comprehensive article.

How to Move Xbox / Microsoft Store Games

Games installed via the Xbox ecosystem use Windows integrated storage tools.

This applies to:
Xbox App and Microsoft Store games.

1- Open the Windows Settings app by pressing Win + I, and select ‘Apps’ from the menu.

2- Click on ‘Installed apps’ on the right side to view all your installed applications.

3- Locate the game you want to move in the list.

4- Click the three-dot menu next to the game and select ‘Move’. If ‘Move’ is not available, the game may not support this feature.

5- In the pop-up, select the destination drive from the dropdown menu.

6- Click ‘Move’ to begin the transfer. If the game has downloadable content (DLC), you can also move it by selecting the appropriate option.

7- Wait for the process to finish. The game will now reside in a folder named ‘Xbox Games’ on the selected drive.

Launch the game as usual from the Start menu or Xbox app. Keep in mind that moving games to external drives may cause performance issues if the drive is not fast enough.

How to Move Epic Games

Epic Games Launcher does not fully support direct moving, but you can still relocate games safely.

1- Navigate to the default installation directory, typically C:\Program Files\Epic Games\[Game Name], and copy the game folder to a temporary location.

2- Open the Epic Games Launcher, go to your ‘Library’, click on the three dots next to the game, and select ‘Uninstall’. Confirm the uninstallation.

3- Close and reopen the Epic Games Launcher. Begin reinstalling the game by clicking ‘Install’ in your library.

4- In the installation prompt, click ‘Browse’ and select the new desired location on your other drive. Start the installation.

5- Allow the download to progress slightly (a few percent), then pause and cancel the installation from the three-dot menu.

6- Navigate to the temporary location where you copied the game files earlier. Move or copy them to the new installation directory, replacing any existing files when prompted.

7- Resume the installation in the Epic Games Launcher. It will verify the existing files instead of downloading them again.

8- Once verification is complete, the game will be ready to play from its new location.

How to Move Battle.net Games

Battle.net requires manual relocation.

Steps:

1- Open the Battle.net launcher and select the game you want to move. Click on the ‘Options’ (gear icon) next to the ‘Play’ button and choose ‘Show in Explorer’ to locate the game files.

2- Copy the game folder to your desired new location on another drive.

3- In the Battle.net launcher, go to ‘Settings’ by clicking the Blizzard icon in the top-left corner. Navigate to ‘Game Install/Update’ and click ‘Use a Different Folder’ under the game you moved.

4- Browse to the new location of the game folder and select it.

5- Return to the game page in the launcher, click ‘Options’, and select ‘Scan and Repair’ to verify the game files.

6- After the scan, the game will be ready to play from its new location.

Repeat these steps for any other Blizzard games you wish to move.

How to Move Ubisoft Games

Ubisoft Connect supports folder relocation with re-detection.

Steps:

1- Open Ubisoft Connect and go to the ‘Games’ tab. Right-click on the game and select ‘View game details’.

2- In the game details, go to the ‘Properties’ tab and click ‘Open folder’ to locate the game files.

3- Move the game folder to the new desired location on another drive.

4- Back in Ubisoft Connect, right-click the game and select ‘Uninstall’. Confirm the uninstallation.

5- After uninstalling, click on the game in your library and select ‘Locate installed game’.

6- Browse to the new location of the game folder and select it. Ubisoft Connect will verify the files and recognize the game as installed.

The game is now ready to be launched from its new location without the need to re-download.

Advanced Method: Symbolic Links (For Any Game)

If a launcher doesn’t support moving games, you can use a symbolic link (symlink).

Step 1: Move Game Folder

Move the game from:

• C:\Games\MyGame → D:\Games\MyGame

Step 2: Open Command Prompt (Admin)

Step 3: Run Command

mklink /D "C:\Original\GamePath" "D:\New\GamePath"

What this does:

It tricks Windows into thinking the game is still in the original location.

Optional Tools (For Power Users)

Third-party tools can automate this process, especially for large libraries:

• Steam library managers
• Game mover utilities using symlinks
• Backup tools for bulk transfers

⚠️ Always ensure drives are formatted in NTFS, otherwise symlinks may fail.

SSD vs HDD: Where Should You Move Games?

• NVMe SSD: Best for competitive games (fast loading, smooth streaming)
• SATA SSD: Good balance of speed and storage
• HDD: Ideal for older or less frequently played games

Final Thoughts

In Windows 11 25H2, moving games between drives is easier and more reliable than ever. Most major platforms now include built-in tools that eliminate the need for reinstalling huge game files.

Quick takeaway:

• Steam → easiest built-in move tool
• Xbox → fully integrated Windows support
• Epic / Ubisoft / Battle.net → manual but reliable
• Advanced users → symlinks for full control

By organizing your games across multiple drives, you’ll not only free up space but also keep your system faster and more efficient.