What is the best way to transfer the CM2 games to a different drive?

[Gkenny]

I just got a new SSD, and would like to transfer all of my CM games onto it from my mechanical one. Would I be able to copy the game files/folders over without issue, or would the best way be to re download the games (I would like to avoid this if possible)?

[StieliAlpha]

As a quick answer: You can just copy the files. I copied my v3.12 games even to the same drive, before migrating to v4. IIRC, it’s a little tricky with BN, because it stores saved games in a different place than the other games, but that’s no big deal either.

Search the forum, there is a description somewhere.

Edited January 16, 2020 by StieliAlpha

[A Canadian Cat]

Assuming a PC here. If you are using a Mac this will not apply. Having said that if you are using a Mac you are not likely to be adding an SSD so seems like a safe assumption.

The game install itself can be moved just as @StieliAlpha suggests - just copy them over. But the Game Files directories *cannot*.

All the game content under your Documents folder (saves, ema files, qb maps, scenarios and campaigns) are found by the app by asking the OS where the current user's documents folder is located. If those are the files you wish to move then you must do it using the OS's feature to relocate your Documents folder.

The only exception is CMBN which uses sub folders of the game install for the Game Files. For CMBN you can just move it and you are good to go.

[Erwin]

Assuming one isn't using an app:  Can one simply copy the game to an ext HD (whether SD or mech) and from there to a new computer HD and run?

If one copies the game to an ext HD can the game run if the ext HD is connected to the computer? 

Am curious what the difference is between an internal HD and an ext HD connected to the computer.

[IMHO]

On 1/16/2020 at 7:33 PM, Erwin said:

Can one simply copy the game to an ext HD (whether SD or mech) and from there to a new computer HD and run?

You'll have licensing issues.

On 1/16/2020 at 6:36 PM, IanL said:

All the game content under your Documents folder (saves, ema files, qb maps, scenarios and campaigns) are found by the app by asking the OS where the current user's documents folder is located. If those are the files you wish to move then you must do it using the OS's feature to relocate your Documents folder.

Will a symlink do?

[A Canadian Cat]

5 hours ago, IMHO said:

You'll have licensing issues.

Will a symlink do?

I don't know. In my opinion Windows support for symbolic links is not particularly strong. It could work I would personally not try it but that shouldn't stop others. If you do let us know how well it works.