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linux_gamer 24 May, 2020 @ 12:28am
Do backups created in Steam linux work across distros?
I am using Steam on Pop OS (Ubuntu based distro). Created backup of few games (few linux native, few that use Steam play).
Will those backup work if I try to restore them in Steam on another linux distro, say Manjaro (Arch based distro) ?
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Originally posted by Marlock:
Shaders should redownload automatically (and it's just a cache that can be regenerated locally, meant only to avoid stuttering) but yeah, verifying game files integrity should just redownload broken pieces not the whole game.

even if you pointed many distros to the same folder it would work so a copy of the /home/user/.steam folder will definitely be ok

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/221410/discussions/4/2260188150876449362/


One thing though! Be aware that games place their savefiles *everywhere* on the user home folder, which is pretty annoying, so a backup that preserves those too is not so straightforward. This might help you understand what to look for in that regard:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1026977/need-to-clean-user-home-folder-and-organize-game-folders-with-saves-configs-e
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Showing 1-5 of 5 comments
Zyro 24 May, 2020 @ 12:34am 
I didn't try it, but they should.
#1
Marlock 24 May, 2020 @ 5:20pm 
the worst that can happen is shader caches needing to be redownloaded... other than that, it should be just fine regardless of which distro you use

this was the main issue in a recent thread with a user that switched back and forth between several distros using the same steam folder for all of them, which was an even more extreme situation then what you want to do
#2
linux_gamer 26 May, 2020 @ 3:47am 
Originally posted by Marlock:
the worst that can happen is shader caches needing to be redownloaded... other than that, it should be just fine regardless of which distro you use

Will "Verify integrity of game files" just redownload those files, leaving the other files intact? Or I have to use some other option?

Originally posted by Marlock:
this was the main issue in a recent thread with a user that switched back and forth between several distros using the same steam folder for all of them, which was an even more extreme situation then what you want to do

I am thinking of keeping backup at a separate location. So it should work, right?
Also, could you pls point me to the discussion thread you're referring to? Thanks in advance. :)
#3
The author of this thread has indicated that this post answers the original topic.
Marlock 26 May, 2020 @ 4:01am 
Shaders should redownload automatically (and it's just a cache that can be regenerated locally, meant only to avoid stuttering) but yeah, verifying game files integrity should just redownload broken pieces not the whole game.

even if you pointed many distros to the same folder it would work so a copy of the /home/user/.steam folder will definitely be ok

https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/app/221410/discussions/4/2260188150876449362/


One thing though! Be aware that games place their savefiles *everywhere* on the user home folder, which is pretty annoying, so a backup that preserves those too is not so straightforward. This might help you understand what to look for in that regard:
https://askubuntu.com/questions/1026977/need-to-clean-user-home-folder-and-organize-game-folders-with-saves-configs-e
Last edited by Marlock; 26 May, 2020 @ 4:06am
#4
Zyro 26 May, 2020 @ 4:36am 
Originally posted by stupid_common_man:
Will "Verify integrity of game files" just redownload those files, leaving the other files intact? Or I have to use some other option?

I don't know if it handles shaders in the first place, but it is intelligent about what to download.
#5
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Steam for Linux > Feature Requests/Recommendations > Topic Details
Date Posted: 24 May, 2020 @ 12:28am
Posts: 5

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