How to Organize Game Files and Folders

After installing a few games over time, it’s easy for the main Games folder on a computer to turn into a mix of launchers, setup files, screenshots, save data, and leftover folders that don’t seem to belong anywhere. Everything is technically “there,” but finding what you need starts to feel slow and cluttered.

Organizing your game files and folders is simply a way of keeping your storage tidy so you always know where things live. It doesn’t change how your games run. It just makes your computer easier to navigate and manage, especially as your game library grows.

This kind of file hygiene is something many people do once in a while to reset their digital space. When done calmly and in order, it becomes a system you can keep using without thinking about it.

Understanding What Lives Inside Game Folders

Before moving anything, it helps to recognize the different types of files you’ll usually see:

• Game installation folders – where the actual game program is stored
• Launchers – such as Steam, Epic Games, or other game platforms
• Save data – often stored in Documents, AppData, or inside the game folder
• Screenshots and recordings – created while playing
• Installers and setup files – used once during installation
• Mods or add-ons – extra content added to certain games

When these all sit in the same place without structure, the folder starts to feel crowded. The goal is to give each type of file a predictable home.

Create a Clear Main Games Folder

Start by deciding where your main Games folder will live. Many people place it in one of these locations:

• Documents
• A secondary drive like D: or E:
• A dedicated folder on the desktop (later moved into Documents)

Create a single folder called Games. This becomes the place where all game-related content will be organized.

Inside the Games Folder, Create Subfolders

Inside the Games folder, create a few simple subfolders:

• Installed Games
• Game Launchers
• Game Installers
• Screenshots & Recordings
• Mods & Add-ons

These categories are broad enough to work for almost any game you install in the future.

Move Launchers to Their Own Place

If you have desktop shortcuts and folders for Steam, Epic Games, or other launchers scattered around, move their main folders into Game Launchers.

This way, you always know where the platforms live without mixing them with the games themselves.

Organize Installed Games by Title

Open the folder where your games are currently installed. You’ll usually see folders named after each game.

Move each of these folders into Installed Games.

Inside Installed Games, keep one folder per game. Avoid placing anything else inside these folders except what belongs to that game.

If you like extra order, you can arrange them alphabetically.

Store Installers Separately

Many people keep old setup files long after a game is installed. These often sit in Downloads or the desktop.

Move any setup files (such as .exe or .zip files used to install games) into the Game Installers folder. This keeps them out of the way but still available if you want them later.

Gather Screenshots and Recordings

Game screenshots are often saved in different places depending on the platform. Take a moment to find where yours are stored and move them into Screenshots & Recordings.

You can create subfolders inside this for each game if you take a lot of screenshots.

Give Mods and Add-Ons Their Own Space

If you use mods for certain games, keep copies of those mod files in Mods & Add-ons. This makes it easier to find them again without searching through game folders.

Inside this folder, create a subfolder named after the game the mod belongs to.

Leave Save Files Where They Naturally Belong

Many games store save data in special system locations like Documents or AppData. It’s best to leave these where they are.

Instead of moving them, you can create a small text note inside your game’s folder in Installed Games that says where the save location is. This acts as a reminder without changing anything important.

Keep the Folder Structure Simple

The goal is not to create a complicated filing system. The goal is to make it obvious where something should go.

If you ever download a new game, you already know:

• The installer goes into Game Installers
• The game folder goes into Installed Games
• Screenshots go into Screenshots & Recordings

You won’t need to think about it again.

Use Clear, Consistent Folder Names

Avoid long or complicated folder names. Keep everything short and readable. For example:

• Installed Games
• Game Launchers
• Mods

Consistency is more helpful than detail here.

What This Organization Changes for You

Once everything is arranged, a few nice things happen naturally:

• You can find any game folder quickly
• You always know where new files belong
• Your Downloads and desktop stay cleaner
• Old files stop mixing with active ones

Your computer feels calmer to use because your storage space feels predictable.

If you’re managing your game storage more broadly, this kind of file organization fits neatly into overall game installation and storage management habits that keep everything easy to maintain over time.

Make This a Habit, Not a One-Time Cleanup

After you set this up once, keeping it organized takes very little effort. Whenever you install something new or download game-related files, place them into the right folder immediately.

Over time, this becomes automatic, and your Games folder stays neat without needing another big cleanup.