You can move EA games to a different drive using Origin or the EA App, but the method depends on which launcher you're using and whether you want to keep your existing installation

If you're running low on space or want to move games to a faster drive, EA games don't have to stay where you first installed them. The process is straightforward if you use Origin (the older launcher) or the EA App (the current one), but the steps differ between them. The key is moving the entire game folder, not just copying files, so your save data and settings stay intact.

The wrong approach—dragging files manually or copying the folder—usually breaks the game because the launcher loses track of where everything went. The right approach tells your launcher where the new location is, so it can find all the game files and your progress when you launch the game next time.

Key Takeaways

  • EA App users can change the installation folder in settings before installing a new game, or uninstall and reinstall an existing game to a new location.
  • Origin users should use the "Repair" feature after moving the game folder manually, which tells Origin where to find the files.
  • Moving a game folder without updating the launcher's records will cause the game to fail to launch or lose save data.
  • You can have games installed on multiple drives at once—the launcher tracks each one separately.

Moving games with the EA App

The EA App (the launcher EA rolled out starting in 2021) handles drive moves more cleanly than Origin. Before you install a new game, go to Settings, then General, and look for "Installation Location." You can set a default folder on any drive you want. If you're moving a game that's already installed, the fastest method is to uninstall it from the current drive, then reinstall it to the new location.

To uninstall, right-click the game in your library, select Uninstall, and let it finish. Then go back to Settings, change the Installation Location to your new drive, and install the game again. Your save files are stored separately in your Documents folder (usually under Documents\EA Games), so they won't be deleted when you uninstall. When you launch the game on the new drive, it will find your saves automatically.

If you want to move a game without reinstalling it—useful if you have a slow internet connection—you can manually move the game folder to the new drive, then tell the EA App where it went. Move the entire game folder (for example, C:\Games\Apex Legends) to your new drive (D:\Games\Apex Legends). Then open the EA App, go to Settings, General, and click "Scan for Games." The launcher will search your drives and find the moved folder, adding it back to your library.

Moving games with Origin

Origin is the older EA launcher, still used for games released before 2021 and some older titles. Origin doesn't have a built-in move function, so you'll move the folder manually and then tell Origin where it went. First, locate your game folder—it's usually in C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin Games\ or wherever you set it during installation. Right-click the game folder, select Cut, navigate to your new drive, and paste it there.

Once the folder is on the new drive, open Origin and go to process Settings (top left, then Settings). Click "Game Library" and look for "Game Library Folder." Add your new drive location as a library folder if it isn't already there. Then, in your game library, right-click the game and select "Repair." Origin will scan the new location, find the game files, and update its records. The game will now launch from the new drive.

If you're moving multiple games, you can set up multiple library folders in Origin so games are spread across different drives. This is useful if you want fast games on an SSD and slower-loading games on a larger HDD. Just add each folder location in Game Library settings, and Origin will track all of them.

What happens to your save files and settings

EA stores save files in two places: some are stored locally on your computer (usually in Documents\EA Games or a game-specific folder), and some are stored on EA's servers if you're signed into an EA account. When you move a game folder, the local saves stay where they are because they're not part of the game installation. When you launch the game from the new drive, it will look in the same Documents folder and find your saves.

Server-side saves (which most modern EA games use) sync automatically when you log in, so moving the game folder won't affect them at all. Your progress, settings, and achievements will be there when you launch the game on the new drive. If a game uses only local saves and you're worried about losing them, copy the save folder to your new drive before you move the game, or back it up to a USB drive first.

Avoiding common mistakes when moving games

The most common mistake is copying the game folder instead of moving it, then deleting the original. This leaves the launcher pointing to the old location, and the game won't launch. Always move the folder (cut and paste), not copy it, so the original is gone and there's no confusion about which version the launcher should use.

Another mistake is moving only part of the game folder—for example, moving the main executable but leaving support files behind. Always move the entire folder, including all subfolders and hidden files. If you're using Windows File Explorer, make sure "Show hidden files" is turned on (View menu, then check "Hidden items") so you don't leave anything behind.

Don't move a game while it's running or while the launcher is updating it. Close the game completely, close the launcher, wait a few seconds, then move the folder. If the launcher is in the middle of an update, it may rewrite files while you're moving them, corrupting the installation.

Moving games to an external drive or network location

You can install EA games to an external USB drive or network drive, but performance will be slower because the data has to travel over USB or your network connection. Games with large textures or frequent file reads (like open-world games) will have longer load times. For competitive games where speed matters, this isn't ideal, but it works for single-player games or if your external drive is fast (USB 3.0 or newer).

To move a game to an external drive, follow the same steps as moving to an internal drive: set the installation location in EA App settings, or add the external drive as a library folder in Origin and move the game folder there. Make sure the external drive is formatted as NTFS (Windows) or APFS (Mac), not FAT32, because FAT32 can't handle files larger than 4 GB and many EA games exceed that. If your external drive is formatted as FAT32, you'll need to reformat it or use a different drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will moving a game to another drive delete my progress?

No. Save files are stored separately from the game installation, usually in your Documents folder or on EA's servers. Moving the game folder won't touch your saves. When you launch the game from the new drive, it will find your saves in the same place and load them normally.

Can I move a game while it's installing?

No. Wait for the installation to finish completely, close the launcher, and then move the folder. Moving files while the launcher is writing to them can corrupt the installation and force you to reinstall.

What if the game won't launch after I move it?

The launcher has lost track of the new location. In EA App, go to Settings, General, and click "Scan for Games." In Origin, right-click the game in your library and select "Repair." Both will search your drives and update the launcher's records. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the game to the new location.

Can I move a game to a slower drive without problems?

The game will work, but load times will be longer. Moving a game from an SSD to an HDD is fine for single-player games, but competitive online games may feel sluggish. If you're moving to an external drive, use USB 3.0 or newer to minimize the slowdown.

Do I need to move the entire Origin or EA App folder, or just the games?

Move only the game folders, not the launcher itself. The launcher (Origin or EA App) should stay in Program Files. Only the game installations go to the new drive. The launcher will track them from there.