Tutorial: How to Transfer Steam Saves to A New Computer

Introduction

Let’s face it, gaming is personal. You’ve invested countless hours into leveling up your character, unlocking achievements, and completing quests. But what really happens when you buy a new computer? Nobody wishes to reverse all that advancement! Whether you’re upgrading your setup or switching devices, learning how to transfer Steam saves to a new computer is essential to keep the fun going.

In this guide, we’ll dive deep into why transferring Steam saves is important, the various methods available, and even touch on a remote access solution with AnyViewer for easy game management. Ready? Let’s jump right in!

Understanding Steam Cloud Saves

Steam Cloud saves are your best friend when it comes to transitioning to a new computer. Many games on Steam automatically back up your progress to the cloud, allowing you to resume play seamlessly from any device.

What are Steam Cloud saves?

Steam Cloud saves are files that are stored on Valve’s servers. When a game supports Steam Cloud, it syncs your saved progress to the cloud every time you close the game. This allows you to pick up from where you left off on any computer where you're logged into Steam.

Benefits of Using Steam Cloud:

• Simple access to your game progress across several devices.
• Automated syncing that happens without user input.
• Saves space on your hard drive by offloading data to the cloud.

How to Check If a Game Supports Steam Cloud:

Not all games on Steam support Cloud saves. You can verify this by:

Step 1. Going to the game's page in your Steam Library.

Step 2. Looking for a cloud icon next to the game's name.

Step 3. Reviewing the "Steam Cloud" section under game details.

Why You Need to Transfer Steam Saves?

When you invest time into a game, the last thing you want is to start over from scratch just because you upgraded your system or got a new PC. Transferring Steam saves prevents that disaster, letting you pick up right where you left off.

Why is it important? Think of it like packing for a trip—you don’t want to leave behind your essentials. Your saved data is exactly that, an essential piece of your gaming experience.

Methods to Transfer Steam Saves

There are a few methods you can use to transfer Steam saves from one computer to another. While some methods are manual and hands-on, others are a bit more automated thanks to Steam’s built-in features. Let’s break it down:

Steam Cloud Sync

Steam Cloud is probably the easiest and most seamless way to transfer saves. If your game supports Steam Cloud, it automatically backs up your progress online. All you need to do is log into your new computer, and Steam Cloud syncs everything for you.

Manual Backup and Restore

For those who like more control, manually backing up and restoring your saves is another option. This method involves copying save files from your original computer and pasting them into the new one. Don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it step-by-step below.

How to Transfer Steam Saves to a New Computer [4Ways]

Now that you know why it’s important, let’s dive into the how-to part. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to transfer Steam saves to a new computer file with different ways:

Way 1. AnyViewer

When upgrading to a new computer, transferring your Steam game saves can seem like a daunting task, especially if you have invested hours into your games and don’t want to lose progress. Fortunately, AnyViewer stands out as one of the best solutions for this. It is a robust, easy-to-use remote desktop software that enables seamless file transfers between computers, making it perfect for moving Steam saves quickly and efficiently. Unlike other methods that require manual copying, cloud synchronization, using data cables, or using external storage, AnyViewer allows you to access your old computer remotely from your new one, simplifying the file transfer process.

Here’s why AnyViewer is the best tool for transferring your Steam game saves to a new computer:

Step 1. Open AnyViewer on both of your devices after downloading it. To set up a new account, click "Log in," followed by "Sign up." Make sure you're using the same account on both devices.

Step 2. Log into the same account on each device. This will automatically connect them under that account.

Step 3. On your local device, navigate to "Device," select the remote device you want to access, and click "File transfer."

Step 4. You’ll see your local files on the left side of the screen and the remote files on the right. Moving files between the devices is simple from here.

★Tips: Upgrading to the Professional or Enterprise plan of AnyViewer is a smart choice for transferring larger files and boosting transfer speeds. Here’s what you can expect:

Increased file size limit: Send individual files up to 1TB.

Faster transfer speeds: Experience speeds reaching up to 10MB/s.

Multiple transfer threads: Handle several file transfers simultaneously.

Unlimited file transfers: Transfer as many files as needed in one session without restrictions.

...

Way 2. External Storage

If you’re more of a hands-on person, using external storage like USB drives or external hard drives is an excellent option. By manually copying and pasting your save files, you ensure that everything is backed up. This method is especially useful if your game doesn’t support Steam Cloud or if you prefer having a physical backup of your data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Copy and Transfer Files:

Step 1. Locate your save files as described above.

Step 2. Copy the entire folder containing the saves.

Step 3. Plug in a USB drive or connect an external hard drive to your old computer.

Step 4. Paste the copied folder onto your external storage device.

Step 5. Safely remove the external drive and plug it into your new computer.

Step 6. Paste the folder into the corresponding save file location on your new machine.

Way 3. Cloud Services

Alternatively, you can use cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive to move your saved files between computers.

Steps for Uploading and Downloading Save Files:

Step 1. Upload the save files from your old computer to a cloud storage service.

Step 2. On your new computer, download the files from the cloud.

Step 3. Move the files into the correct save location.

Way 4. Steam Cloud

Steam Cloud is the easiest and most straightforward method. Many games on Steam automatically sync your progress across devices using cloud storage. But before assuming this method will work, double-check that the game supports Steam Cloud.

Verifying Steam Cloud Is Enabled:

Step 1. Open Steam.

Step 2. Go to Steam > Settings > Cloud.

Step 3. Ensure that Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for applications that support it is checked.

Syncing Saves on a New Computer:

Step 1. Install the game on your new computer.

Step 2. Steam will automatically download your cloud saves the first time you launch the game.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to transfer Steam saves to a new computer is essential for any gamer who doesn't want to lose progress when upgrading or switching devices. Whether you use Steam Cloud, manual backups, or external storage, there are several ways to ensure your game data is safe. For the easiest method, AnyViewer offers fast, secure remote file transfers, making it the best solution for moving your game saves seamlessly. With these options, you can confidently transfer your Steam saves to a new computer and pick up right where you left off.