Transfer games installed from on HDD to new SSD


  1. Posts : 179
    Windows 7
       #1

    Transfer games installed from on HDD to new SSD


    I currently have an SSD installed with Windows 7, and I installed my games on an internal HDD. If I were to wipe my current SSD and install a Windows 7 on a NEW SSD, is there a way for me to transfer the games installed on the HDD to the SSD?

    I'm not looking to clone Windows 7; I just want to transfer the games installed on the hard drive, to the new SSD with Windows 7. I've seen a lot of people posting about cloning the OS and such, but I'm not looking for that.

    Thanks in advance
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  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    I doubt it, unless the games are standalone and don't need registry settings, system files, etc. There's no harm in leaving the games on the HDD. That won't affect in-game performance.
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  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #3

    That will not work. If you want the games on the SSD, you have to reinstall them. There are too may registry entries, .dlls and other files involved to make a transfer a possible option.
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  4. Posts : 1,962
    Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate)
       #4

    If you are willing to install a fresh Copy of Windows 7 instead of a simple clone/migration... why would you want to risk copying the games to the SSD instead of also doing a clean install and avoid any problems (small as they may be?)
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  5. Posts : 2,164
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #5

    whs said:
    That will not work. If you want the games on the SSD, you have to reinstall them. There are too may registry entries, .dlls and other files involved to make a transfer a possible option.
    It depends on the games. If they are Steam games, then you can copy the steam folder directly to the program files folder, if it fits on your SSD, then just install steam and your games will work. Some of the steam games use game saves in your documents folder, so those would need to be copied over if you want your game saves.
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  6. Posts : 179
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #6

    DeaconFrost said:
    I doubt it, unless the games are standalone and don't need registry settings, system files, etc. There's no harm in leaving the games on the HDD. That won't affect in-game performance.
    I just figured it would make things a lot faster if I threw them on an SSD haha.

    whs said:
    That will not work. If you want the games on the SSD, you have to reinstall them. There are too may registry entries, .dlls and other files involved to make a transfer a possible option.
    I see okay. Thank you for the clarification :) So is there any way to save the progress I've made on the individual games?

    AstaLaVista said:
    If you are willing to install a fresh Copy of Windows 7 instead of a simple clone/migration... why would you want to risk copying the games to the SSD instead of also doing a clean install and avoid any problems (small as they may be?)
    I just thought it might be easier to find a way to transfer them to the SSD to save all my progress. If I reinstall, all my progress is lost right?

    Zepher said:
    whs said:
    That will not work. If you want the games on the SSD, you have to reinstall them. There are too may registry entries, .dlls and other files involved to make a transfer a possible option.
    It depends on the games. If they are Steam games, then you can copy the steam folder directly to the program files folder, if it fits on your SSD, then just install steam and your games will work. Some of the steam games use game saves in your documents folder, so those would need to be copied over if you want your game saves.
    Nope, Arkham City and Call of Duty 3. I guess Steam is out of the question =/
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  7. Posts : 1,962
    Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate)
       #7

    NO, not really... all games have a folder location where your saved games go... it is just a matter of finding that folder copy it to a safe place, do the clean install and once you are done, install the games again just like you did before and copy the folder with the saved games back to the same location you had before... easy peasy
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 179
    Windows 7
    Thread Starter
       #8

    AstaLaVista said:
    NO, not really... all games have a folder location where your saved games go... it is just a matter of finding that folder copy it to a safe place, do the clean install and once you are done, install the games again just like you did before and copy the folder with the saved games back to the same location you had before... easy peasy
    Oh wow, really? Hmm... I will look into that. Thank you! I had no idea how progress was saved, but you have given me hope. Ty sir :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,962
    Windows 7 x64 (Ultimate)
       #9

    You are welcome... what I don't really know is if all Games are saved in the same Windows Folder or in different ones so make sure before you start nuking
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