GalCiv II save location

any way to change it?

from GalCiv2 Forums

I've noticed GalCIV II puts all saved games and related files into the C:\My Documents\My Games\ directory by default. My C drive is a small partition dedicated entirely to Windows, applications and the page file and I have a over 10 times larger D partition for my games. The space on my C drive is running out and the GalCiv II saves is a big part of the problem as they're about 2Mb each. After a month of playing the campaigns my saves already take up around 500Mb. Even if I had more free space on my C drive I really wish that all games would stay within the directories that I install them in and not spread their resources around the harddrive and especially not to different partitions. Is there any way you can make the game keep it saves and all other files in a subdirectory to D:\GalCiv2Ultimate where the actual game is located?

8,523 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

First of all, it is really assumed that one has sufficient space in the my documents directory, since it is also used by default for all your photo's and other such large personal files. The reason why the savegames are there are many:

- If you backup your documents, you also backup your savegames.

- If you have multiple user accounts, the have their own savegames and do not interfere with each others games.

- Microsoft insists it is the proper location for such files.

Now, if you have a C partition that is dedicated to windows and core applications, like I do, why do you have the my documents folder there?

You can right-click the my documents folder, go to the location tab, and tell windows to move it to the D drive. That solves the space issue at least.

Now, the space thingy wasn't the only reason you wanted the games out of my documents. So can you make Galciv2 save in its own directory? The anwser is yes, you can, the same way you can force any program to use the directories of your choice:

To do so, first of all simply move the current saves or profile directory to the place of your choice.

Under Vista or 7: Create a (directory) NTFS symbolic link at the old location with the old name redirecting to the new location.

Under 2000 or XP: Create an NTFS junction point at the old location with the old name redirecting to the new location.

By default links and junctions can solely be created from the command line, and you need administrative privileges to do so. The windows xp command is "linkd", the Vista and 7 command "mklink". Simply entering the command without parameters in the command window should display information on the proper syntax.

Note: Unlike later versions of windows such as Vista and 7, windows XP does not support junctions with windows explorer. Under windows xp, said junctions will appear almost indistinguishable from an actual directory, and as such deleting said junction with windows explorer will also delete all of the files that are in the actual directory. As such, if you use windows XP, please do read the wikipedia entry on NTFS junctions, so that you will not run into any surprises.

Under Vista and 7, symbolic link support is quite solid. As such, the link will be displayed as one under windows explorer, its properties reveals the directory it is linked to, and manipulating it with windows explorer is safe.

Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hi!

I really wish that all games would stay within the directories that I install them in and not spread their resources around the harddrive and especially not to different partitions.
End of quote
For that behaviour you need to thank M$ Vista. Stardock just complied.

BR,  Iztok

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Hey, thanks for the help. I had no idea that you could change where you want the My Documents directory to be. I don't like the My Documents directory and try to avoid using it. I have made my own directories for photos, music, videos and documents and the only apps that insist on using My Documents are a few games like GalCiv II. Since it's only used by games it indeed belongs on the D partition. As I'm using Windows XP I think I won't mess around with the junction stuff. I had hoped there was a way to change the games settings where it puts its files, but apparently there's not. Moving the My Documents directory at least solved the space issue.