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Where Are My PC Games Stored? A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re on a quest. A quest to find the elusive files of your favorite PC games. Maybe you want to mod a game, back up your save files, or just satisfy your curiosity. Whatever the reason, knowing where your games are stored is crucial. The answer, like many things in the digital world, isn’t always straightforward. It depends on where you got the game and how it was installed. In general, PC games are primarily stored in one of the following locations:

Steam Games: Usually found in C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommon. You can also see the exact location in Steam by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting “Properties,” then navigating to the “Installed Files” tab and clicking “Browse.”
GOG Games: Typically installed in a location you specified during the installation process. If you don’t remember, check the GOG GALAXY client settings or search your hard drives for the game’s name.
Microsoft Store Games: By default, these are hidden in the C:Program FilesWindowsApps folder. Accessing this folder requires changing permissions, as Windows protects these files.
EA App (formerly Origin) Games: Usually installed in C:Program FilesEA Games or a custom location you selected during installation. Check the EA App settings to confirm the location.
Ubisoft Connect Games: Often located in C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchergames or a custom location you chose. The Ubisoft Connect client settings will reveal the exact location.
Standalone Installations: These games can be anywhere you chose during the installation process. If you don’t recall, searching for the game’s executable file (.exe) can lead you to the installation directory.

Navigating the often-confusing world of PC game storage locations can be a tricky business. Let’s dive deeper and answer some frequently asked questions to help you become a master game file detective.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about PC game storage, along with detailed answers to help you find and manage your game files effectively:

1. How Do I Find the Exact Location of a Game File?

The easiest way to find a game’s location is through the game launcher it’s associated with (Steam, GOG Galaxy, EA App, Ubisoft Connect, etc.). Each launcher provides a way to browse the installed files. Alternatively, if you have a desktop shortcut, right-click it and select “Open file location.” This will usually take you directly to the game’s installation folder.

2. How Do I Find All Downloaded Games on My Computer?

There isn’t a single, foolproof way to list every game on your PC, as some might be installed outside of typical launchers. However, you can try these methods:

Check each launcher: Steam, GOG Galaxy, EA App, and Ubisoft Connect all have libraries or lists of installed games.
Search for game executables (.exe files): Use Windows Search to look for “.exe” files with names related to games you suspect are installed.
Check the “Apps & Features” list: Type “Apps & Features” in the Windows search bar. This list shows all installed programs, including many games. You can sort by install date to find recently installed games.
File Explorer Downloads: Select File Explorer from the taskbar, or press the Windows logo key + E. Under Quick access, select Downloads.

3. How Do I Find Where Windows Store Games Are Installed?

Windows Store games are installed in the hidden C:Program FilesWindowsApps folder. This folder is protected by the operating system, and you’ll need to take ownership of the folder to access it. Be very careful when modifying files in this folder, as it can affect the game’s functionality. To view the folder, open This PC, click View and select Hidden items.

4. How Do I Find Installed Games on Windows 11?

The process is similar to Windows 10:

Type and search [Apps & features] in the Windows search bar, then click [Open].
In Apps & features, click [Sort by] and select [Install date].
Click [Filter by] and select [All drives].

This will list all installed applications and games, sorted by install date.

5. What Is the Root Directory of a Game?

The root directory of a game is the top-level folder where all the game’s files and subfolders are located. It’s the “base” of the game’s installation. For example, if a game is installed in C:GamesMyGame, then C:GamesMyGame is the root directory.

6. Is My Save File Stored with My Game Install Files?

Game save file locations vary widely. They can be in the game’s installation directory, in the “My Documents” folder, in the “AppData” folder (which is hidden), or even in the cloud (Steam Cloud, etc.). Checking the game’s documentation or searching online forums is often the best way to find your save files. Some games use the Windows registry to store the save file location, so this can be a useful place to check if you are struggling to locate it.

7. How Do I Back Up My Game Save Files?

Backing up save files is crucial to avoid losing progress. The process depends on where the saves are stored.

Locate the save file folder. Use the methods described above to find where the saves are kept.
Copy the folder: Simply copy the entire save file folder to an external drive, cloud storage, or another location on your computer.
Use a backup program: Some backup programs can specifically target save file locations for easy backups.
Cloud Saves: Many platforms like Steam offer cloud save functionality, which automatically backs up your progress.

8. Can I Move My Installed Games to a Different Drive?

Yes, but the method depends on the game launcher:

Steam: Steam has a built-in feature to move installed games to different libraries on different drives. Go to Steam > Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders.
GOG Galaxy: You can move GOG games by copying the installation folder to the new location and then using GOG Galaxy to “Manage” and “Import Folder” for the game.
EA App and Ubisoft Connect: These launchers usually require you to uninstall and reinstall the game in the new location. However, you can sometimes manually move the files and then “locate” the game within the launcher.
Manual Installations: For games installed outside of launchers, you can often move the folder and then update any shortcuts or configuration files that point to the old location.

9. What Is the Difference Between a Folder and a Directory?

In most contexts, “folder” and “directory” are used interchangeably. Technically, “directory” is the more precise term in computing, but “folder” is the more user-friendly and common term, especially in graphical user interfaces like Windows. Think of it this way: A folder is just the visible representation of a directory.

10. What Is the Difference Between Home Directory and Root Directory?

The root directory is the base of the entire file system, represented as C: on most Windows systems. It contains the operating system files, program files, and other essential system data. The home directory is a user-specific directory located within the root directory. It’s where your personal files, documents, and settings are stored. Each user account on a computer typically has its own home directory.

11. Where Is the Root Directory on a USB Drive?

The root directory of a USB drive is simply the drive itself. When you open the USB drive in File Explorer, you are viewing the root directory. It’s the topmost level of the file system on that drive.

12. How Do I Access the Root Directory?

To access the system root directory in Windows:

Open File Explorer.
Type C: in the address bar and press Enter. (Assuming C: is your main hard drive.)
This will take you to the root directory of your C: drive.

13. What Is an Example of a Root Folder?

C: (The root of your main hard drive)
D: (The root of your DVD drive, if applicable)
E: (The root of your external hard drive, if assigned the letter E)

14. Why Can’t I Access Certain Game Folders?

Some game folders, particularly those belonging to Windows Store games, are protected by the operating system. This is to prevent tampering with game files and ensure stability. To access these folders, you may need to take ownership of the folder and grant yourself permissions. However, be very careful when modifying files in these folders, as it can cause problems.

15. Why Should I Not Store Files in the Root Directory of a Hard Disk?

The root directory is primarily intended for system files and folders required by Windows and applications. Storing your personal files directly in the root directory can:

Increase clutter: Makes it harder to find essential system files.
Cause conflicts: Your files could potentially interfere with Windows or application functionality.
Be disorganized: It’s best practice to keep your personal files in dedicated folders within your user profile.

Understanding where your games are stored and how to manage their files empowers you to customize your gaming experience, back up your progress, and troubleshoot potential issues. Remember to always exercise caution when modifying game files, and consult online resources or community forums if you’re unsure about a particular action.

For more resources on gaming and learning, consider exploring the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The Games Learning Society explores the intersection of games, learning, and education.

Where are my PC games stored?