Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsTo reclaim space, move or uninstall installed games; clearing Steam’s download cache is for troubleshooting and does not remove installed games. Steam’s Download Manager and download settings also let you monitor queued work, control bandwidth, and schedule updates.
Manage downloads and updates
Open the Download Manager from View > Downloads or the Downloads link at the bottom of the Steam client. From there, you can track progress and reorder queued downloads or updates. See Steam Support’s Managing Steam Downloads & Updates for its documented controls.
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Set download limits and schedules
- Open Steam > Settings > Downloads.
- Use the bandwidth controls to limit download speed if you want Steam to leave more capacity for other network activity.
- Use the update scheduling controls to manage when automatic updates are allowed.
Choose an update policy for one game
- Open Library, right-click the game, and choose Properties.
- Select Updates.
- Choose the automatic update behavior you want. Steam’s documented options include updating only when you launch the game.
Move an installed game to another drive
Steam supports multiple library folders across drives. Moving a game to a library on another drive can free space on the current drive without downloading the game again.
Recommended Free Tools
- Open Steam’s Storage settings and add or select a library location on the destination drive.
- In Library, right-click the game and choose Properties.
- Open Installed Files, select Move Install Folder, and choose the destination library.
- Confirm the move and let Steam complete it before launching the game.
You can also choose an existing library location when installing a new game. Steam’s download and update guidance documents library and move controls.
#1 Best Overall
- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Free space by uninstalling games you no longer need
If you want to remove a game rather than keep it on another drive, uninstall it through Steam’s Library controls instead of deleting files from the Steam folders yourself. The exact disk space recovered depends on the game and its installed content; Steam’s cited guidance does not give a general recovery figure.
What clearing the download cache does—and does not do
Use Steam > Settings > Downloads > Clear Download Cache to troubleshoot download problems, not as a way to reclaim the space taken up by installed games. Steam says installed games are unaffected and that you will need to sign in again afterward. Its Clear download cache page explains the effect.
Rank #2
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
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- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Troubleshoot an installation or update error
If a download or update still fails, Steam documents several additional steps in its Update & Installation Issues guidance:
- Repair the library folder: Open Settings > Storage, select the relevant library, and use Steam’s repair option.
- Verify game files: In Library, right-click the game, open Properties > Installed Files, and select the option to verify the integrity of the game files.
- Try another download region: Steam lists changing the download region as another troubleshooting option.
Choose storage that works with your computer
If your library is larger than the space available, first use Steam’s move workflow to place games in another library. If you need more capacity, an internal SSD may be an option, but compatibility depends on your computer: check its supported form factor and interface before choosing a drive. Steam does not endorse a particular brand or model.
Rank #3
- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
Steam warns about external-drive reliability and performance problems. Its support page says, “External hard drives are not recommended for use with Steam or Steam’s games.” In the context of an external-drive issue, Steam recommends installing Steam and games on an internal drive. See Installed games are appearing as uninstalled.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Rank #4
- Note: Magsafe is not available in this version
- High-speed Data Transfer: Lexar external SSD ES3 supports USB 3.2 Gen 2 up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write to transfer files fast for more efficient work. (Performance may be lower if not supporting USB 3.2 Gen 2 on Mac and other systems)
- Wide Compatibility: Lexar Portable SSD ES3 compatibility with iPhone 17 series (Not supported on iPhone 14 and older models), Android mobile devices, laptops, cameras, Xbox X|S, PS4, PS5, gaming console, and more
- On The Go: Lexar external solid state drive ES3's thin, stylish, and durable design, weighs 42g and is only 10.5mm thick, making it smaller than a card and easily fits in your pocket. It comes with a Type-C cable for plug-and-play convenience
- Data Safety First: Lexar SSD ES3 includes Lexar DataShieldTM 256-bit AES encryption software to protect files
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