Moving Uplay games to another drive on Windows 11 can help you free up space on your primary disk or organize your game library better. This process might seem complicated, but it’s actually quite straightforward when broken down into simple steps.
In this guide, we will walk you through each part of the moving process in detail. You don’t need to be a tech expert to follow along.
By the end, you’ll know how to safely relocate your Uplay games without losing any data or having to redownload everything. Let’s get started!
Follow the instructions carefully to avoid any issues and keep your games ready to play.
Quick Note Before You Begin
- Make sure you have enough free space on the destination drive for your games.
- Close the Uplay client completely before you start moving files to avoid conflicts.
- Backing up your games is always a good idea in case something goes wrong.
- Ensure Windows 11 is updated, and you have administrative rights on your PC.
Step 1: Locate Your Current Uplay Game Folder
The first thing you need to do is find where your Uplay games are currently installed. By default, Uplay installs games in a folder inside your “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)” drive, usually on your C: drive.
To find the exact location:
- Open the Uplay client on your PC.
- Click on the “Games” tab to see your installed games.
- Right-click on the game you want to move and select “Properties.”
- Look for the “Local Files” tab or section, where you can see the path of the installation folder.
Note down this folder path as you will need it to move the files.
Step 2: Copy or Move the Game Folder to the New Drive
Now that you know where the game is located, you can move it to your desired drive. It’s best to copy the folder first, so if anything goes wrong, you still have the original files intact.
To do this:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the game folder you found earlier.
- Select the entire game folder (for example, the folder named after the game).
- Right-click and select “Copy.”
- Navigate to the drive where you want to move the game (e.g., D: or E: drive).
- Paste the copied folder there by right-clicking and selecting “Paste.”
- Wait for the copying to complete. This might take some time depending on the game size.
Once the copy is finished, you can delete the original folder if you want to free up space.
Step 3: Update Uplay to Recognize the New Game Location
After moving the game files, Uplay still thinks the games are in the old location. You need to tell Uplay where to find them now.
Here’s how:
- Open the Uplay client.
- Go back to the “Games” tab and find the game you moved.
- Click the game and then click “Install.”
- When prompted for the installation location, select the new folder where you moved the game.
- Uplay will scan the folder and verify the existing files instead of downloading the entire game again.
This step saves you a lot of time and bandwidth since Uplay only downloads missing or corrupted files.
Step 4: Verify the Game Files
Once Uplay recognizes the new location, it’s a good idea to verify the game files to ensure everything is intact.
To verify:
- In Uplay, right-click on the game again.
- Select “Verify files” or “Verify integrity.”
- Wait for the process to finish. It will fix any missing or damaged files.
After verification, your game should be fully functional from the new drive.
Alternative Method: Using Symbolic Links (Advanced)
If you prefer not to reinstall or reconfigure Uplay, you can create a symbolic link (symlink) that tricks Windows into thinking the game is still in the old location.
This method is more technical and works like this:
- Move the game folder to the new drive as explained earlier.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Use the command:
mklink /J "C:OriginalGamePath" "D:NewGamePath"Replace C:OriginalGamePath with your old game folder path, and D:NewGamePath with the new location.
This creates a junction point that redirects Uplay to the new folder without changing settings inside the client.
Note: Use this only if you are comfortable using command-line tools.
FAQs
Can I move multiple Uplay games at once?
Yes, you can repeat the process for each game individually. Uplay does not provide a bulk move feature, so you must move each game folder and update its location manually.
Will moving games delete my saved progress?
No, your saved games are typically stored separately from the installation folder, often in your Documents folder or cloud saves. However, it’s good to double-check where your specific game stores save files.
Do I need to uninstall the game before moving?
No, uninstalling is not necessary. Copying or moving the game folder and updating Uplay’s path is enough.
What if Uplay starts downloading the entire game again?
This usually means Uplay couldn’t detect the existing files. Make sure you selected the correct folder when prompted, and that all files copied properly.
Can I move Uplay games to an external drive?
Yes, but performance may be slower depending on the drive speed. Also, make sure the external drive is connected before launching Uplay and the game.
When Nothing Works
If you encounter problems that these steps don’t fix, try these final options:
- Reinstall Uplay: Sometimes reinstalling the client helps fix corrupted settings.
- Reinstall the game: As a last resort, uninstall and reinstall the game to the new drive.
- Official Support: Visit Ubisoft’s official support page for help: https://www.ubisoft.com/help
Conclusion
Moving Uplay games to another drive on Windows 11 is a practical way to manage your disk space and keep your games organized. By carefully copying the game folders, updating Uplay’s installation paths, and verifying files, you avoid unnecessary re-downloads and save time.
For advanced users, symbolic links offer a powerful alternative, but the basic method works well for most players.
Remember to always back up your data before making changes, and don’t hesitate to seek official support if needed. Now you can enjoy your games from the drive that suits you best!