Transferring FO4 to new Steam location - FO4 Update required?

[Blastik1]

Hi folks, I'll try to keep it short. Firstly, I use Vortex and did this procedure from an old laptop to a new one last year without any issues.

 

I attempted it today (added a 1TB flash drive to my laptop due to storage issues) but because I haven't downloaded the new FO4 update, Steam refused to allow me to move my FO4 library to the new designated drive/folder.

 

Is there a solution to this? This is what I have considered...

 

1 Download the FO4 update on steam 

2 Make sure "update on launch" & the appmanifest is set to "read only" again after downloading

3 Move FO4 to new location via steam using the usual steps (I used this method last time Moving a managed game to another drive - Vortex Support - Nexus Mods Forums )

4 Verify/Validate by activating FO4 via its own launcher (not via steam)

5 Proceed to complete the steps to move the location from the linked guide as normal

6 Only use F4SE to launch game.

 

Would this activate the update? Or will using FO4s native launcher update the game anyway.

 

Would appreciate any feedback, especially from people who've managed to move the folder after the update. Cheers!

[Uhuru N'Uru]

DIY as always, I use Symbolic Links using Link Shell Extension to store my Games where I choose, the by SymLinking those real locations.

 

This must have tool gives me Drag 'n' Drop/context Menu support & visual overlays to indicate where all SymLinks, HardLinks, & Junctions. exist.

 

 

How to fake update Steam

You can make AppManifests read only to stop Steam checking for that game in future, but only before the update is scheduled, it's much harder afterwards.

 

Simply rename your Current game, any name that isn't what steam calls it, so as this is a specific version maybe Fallout 4 v1.10.163 Or Fallout 4 GOG

If the games missing, a full reinstall will happen, so if slow Internet's an issue, just Copy your existing game to a Fallout 4 Folder in Steam.

 

End Result is two Folders I will call them

Fallout 4 NG

Fallout 4 GOG

 

Steam App Manifest is outside the game & now tells Steam you are using the current version, if you don't want to update again set it to read only now.

 

If you want to keep both, name the one you want to use now "Fallout 4", in that case you need to keep saves & inis etc for both installs separate, MO2 will do this if setup that way.

You have to make manual backups otherwise.

 

There is always a manual way to do this sort of thing & us old timers have been doing it from the start, long before Steam tried to automate such things,

If you can afford it, I'd just pick the DRM free GOG release in the next sale as you get an offline installer with GOG, no store client required.

[Blastik1]

@Uhuru N'Uru Thanks for the input. The first method sounds like it may be a bit beyond my capabilities (okay, well beyond them).

 

I suspect it will be easier for me to go down the GOG path (just missed it on sale for under £15, but it will come round again I expect).

 

Either way, I genuinely appreciate the info you dropped here, it could help others as well as me.

 

Cheers!