I am completely new to PC gaming, never mind the use of digital storefronts or the various clients that are out there. Having had a desire to try out some classic games which I never played, I have come to GOG and started by downloading Morrowind, as well as The Witcher series. Going forward, I'll be interested in building up a good collection of games, as well as having backup copies of the installers. However, I'm also interested in playing via the Galaxy client so that I can avail of achievements as well as be involved in the community, multiplayer, and so on, but I'm confused about how exactly it all works when it comes to the downloading of games, backing them up, game saves, and so on.

What I'm wondering about is how exactly the games I download, and their saves, will be stored on my computer, especially as I'll need to move some of them to external storage pretty soon (I didn't having gaming in mind when I bought my current PC, so space is at a premium). To be clear, although I know I can download and install directly via Galaxy, my preferred method is to download the backup .exe to a C:Drive folder, install the game into its default Program Files folder, then sign into Galaxy for any available updates (but often like to simply play offline too).

I'm hoping that if I lay out my understanding below, someone can just give me the nod about whether or not it's correct?

Downloading and Playing Games

My current understanding is that I can either download through the client, in which case the game will be installed in the program files on my computer but I won't have an actual installer .exe to save elsewhere, or I can download the backup .exe and install directly on the computer myself (I usually save the .exe to a C: drive folder, but allow the game to install to the default program files folder). If I take the latter option and then sign into Galaxy, it seems to realise that I've installed the game, and sometimes updates it further.

So my understanding in terms of downloads, file sizes, saves and so on in this instance is that:

(i) The installer .exe I downloaded was 'X' GB in size, is saved in a folder on the C: drive, and isn't affected by any further updates via Galaxy;

(ii) The game itself, installed from the backup installer, is installed in a folder in the Program Files, and that folder is now 'X' GB bigger to the value of whatever updates were downloaded via Galaxy;

(iii) Any saves I had made before signing into Galaxy, and any saves I make while signed in, are all syncing up together via the cloud and will be available to me if I subsequently revert to playing the game in offline mode;

(iv) All games are playable without an internet connection whether they were installed via Galaxy OR via the backup installer. The only difference between the two options is that downloading the backup installer gives me an actual .exe file which I can save elsewhere.

Backing Up/Transferring Games and Save Files

I was going to write another convoluted section here, but I think I can shorten it by simply asking:

Since my preferred methods is to download the backup .exe files and install from them (as opposed to dowloading directly via Galaxy), then if I ever want to move/copy my GOG games to either external storage or a new PC, should move/copy all of the following:

(i) The backup .exe (not essential, but obviously advisable if what I'm interested in the first place is having back-ups);

(ii) The program files folder in which the game is actually installed and which includes all the update material I've downloaded through Galaxy in meantime (otherwise, while I could re-install on the new machine with the .exe, I would need to re-download updates not included in that installer?);

(iii) The relevant save files, as discovered using something like GameSave Manager (not essential as long as all the relevant saves have already been cloud-synced, but necessary if I have any non-synced offline saves?).

As I mentioned above, I'm a complete novice in terms of PC gaming but have read up a fair bit online about how it all works, so I hope all of the above makes sense. I just wanted to outline my understanding in the hopes that someone could tell me whether it is correct or not, especially with regard to how to save/move stuff to external storage or secondary machines, and how downloading updates and playing through Galaxy affects (a) file size and (b) game saves.

I realise the above is a lot of text, so many thanks to anyone who takes the time to wade through it and offer their advice!

EDIT: Thanks to all for your help - just marking timpuu's response as it's the method that chimes most closely with my compartmentalised filing style!

TL;DR;

It’s mostly the same installer via galaxy or offline backups. There is an option in n galaxy to download offline installers also, or you can download from store. Galaxy has an option to scan for installed GOG games. Saves are local, and if cloud save is chosen then that gets copied to the server, but you still retain local and can copy those out.

- If you like local backups, why not use Gamesave manager too?
- Don't use the Program Files folders, use your own folder for installing games.
- Local backup means having at least 2 copies. Save the exe (with or without bins) to your internal HDD and invest in an extra drive that mirrors your gog offline installer folder.
Or get 2 new hard drives if the one you have now is too small.
Maybe you don't feel like spending the money... but that's what it takes (at least) to have all your games locally and safe(er).

So are the rest of us, and some of us have been here for years! =P

For someone new to PC gaming you seem a little bogged down in the minutiae. If you want cloud saves use Galaxy, it offers that, and if you want to backup the game installers you can download those through Galaxy and then just cut and paste them to an external drive. None of it is really complicated.

I advise you to install Galaxy and games in general directly to your C drive though. Just make a folder called "games" or whatever and put everything in there. It's less hassle, and a small percentage of games behave better that way.

I like Gamesave Manager better than manual copy-pasting save games. You can set it up to do daily backups (or probably even hourly if you want). Also, it works with non-GOG games (old retail games or whatever).

I've never had any issues with games installed on my E (7200rpm) drive. My C is an SSD for Windows, it's ony 256GB - I wouldn't want to see it filled up with games that don't need the SSD speed.

(I know your reply wasn't aimed at me ;-) )

Just for emphasis: Do not install games to the Windows program folders! Yes, it sounds counter-intuitive but there is a large minority of games where this leads to trouble.

The big part of the DRM-Free functionality just took a hit now since you just made the option to download the files much more inconvenient.

It's a bot, copy-pasting from another thread.