Just wondering how some of you guys handle Steam backups, if you even bother anymore.

Initially I used the backup tool, (and still do for Source games) but found it very slow an unreliable.

Up until recently I've been manually copying the files from steamapps/common/ folder - and when I do have to re install I simply commence the download => quit steam => copy my backed up files into that folder and restart Steam. Steam would then figure it out.

Problem is, now they have changed their process. When you are downloading a game it dumps the files in steamapps/downloading/*appid*/ folder. Its a pain in the ass because if I try to replace the contents of my download folder with my backup it just re downloads the whole thing anyways.

I know its not a big deal these days, especially cause I have a massive d/l limit. I have a whole bunch of games I only install when a having a LAN, which I am doing this weekend, and it sucks to have to re download a game I'll most likely use for the night and already have the files for. (In this case BF2)

Prolly a silly question:
Do you backup the .ncf files as well that sits under "\Steam\steamapps" ?
This is seperate to the actual content/data files you are describing.

Prolly a silly question:
Do you backup the .ncf files as well that sits under "\Steam\steamapps" ?
This is seperate to the actual content/data files you are describing.

In the past I've literally just grabbed the folder containing all the game files and backed that up and its been fine. I've never tried with the .ncf files. Probably too late for me now - but I might test it with some small games.

Can you elaborate a bit please, what do you mean by it seperates the content/data files?



Edit:
I just tested removing and replacing Botanicula and this game skipped the download folder and went straight to common so my old method worked. Perhaps only some games use this new "Downloading" folder.

Double Edit: POW!
Tried to test on another couple of games but they didn't have NCF files so now I'm confuse.

I don't, if I wanna play the game again I'll just re-download.

I just use the backup thingy and I've never had any issues with it not working.

Yeah, the Steam Mover is handy, it's how I get individual Steam games onto my SSD without headaches.

I have used the back up tool with out issue.

I have never backed up a steam game, in fact I just re-download the games when I want to play them, my connection is fast enough to get even the bigger hogs quickly.

yeh, it's never really occurred to back up. It's one of the benefits of a) cloud!!! and b) having fast local mirrors with unmetered downloads.