TutorialCross-PlatformStorage

How to Migrate Your Gaming Library: Make Room on Switch 2 and PC Without Losing Progress

UUnknown

2026-02-14

10 min read

Step-by-step migration for Switch 2 and PC: move games to Samsung P9, secure cloud + local saves, and prioritize installs for 2026 storage realities.

Make room on Switch 2 and your PC — without losing a single save

Hook: You're staring at a full Switch 2 and a bursting PC drive, worried that moving games will mean losing progress or wasting money. Good news: with the right MicroSD (hello, Samsung P9), a clear migration plan, and smart install prioritization, you can reclaim space, keep every save, and tailor installs across platforms for maximum playtime.

Quick roadmap: what this guide gives you (read first)

Immediate checklist to prepare both consoles and PC for migration.
Exact steps for Switch 2: move installs to a Samsung P9 MicroSD Express and preserve save data.
PC storage strategies: relocate game libraries, use external NVMe/USB4, and create symbolic links.
Cloud and local save data transfer best practices — including when cloud saves won’t cover you.
Prioritization matrix for which games to keep local vs offload.
2026 trends and future-proofing tips so you don’t repeat this in six months.

Why this matters in 2026

Late 2025 and early 2026 sharpened two clear trends: consoles like the Switch 2 shipped with limited onboard storage (commonly 256GB), and high-performance PC components and SSDs became pricier — meaning gamers are more likely to juggle limited local space. Nintendo’s switch to MicroSD Express compatibility also means older MicroSD cards won’t work. Simultaneously, cloud save ecosystems matured (but remain fragmented across publishers), so you must combine cloud sync with local backups for complete safety.

Immediate pre-migration checklist (do this before you touch hardware)

Verify your accounts: ensure your Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online subscription are active for Switch 2 cloud saves. For PC, confirm Steam, Epic, GOG, etc., are logged in and cloud sync is enabled where available.
Make a local backup of critical saves: copy Steam userdata folders, and export configuration folders for non-Steam games (paths listed later).
Charge devices and connect both consoles/PC to a reliable network — migrations can be lengthy.
Buy the right MicroSD: get a MicroSD Express card (we recommend the Samsung P9 256GB for a balance of price and speed).
Prepare external storage if you’ll offload PC installs: NVMe in an external Thunderbolt/USB4 enclosure or a fast external SSD is ideal.

Switch 2: moving games to a Samsung P9 (step-by-step)

Switch 2 requires MicroSD Express cards — older cards look similar but aren’t supported. The Samsung P9 256GB is a common sweet spot in 2026 for doubling base storage without breaking the bank.

Step A — Format and install the Samsung P9

Insert the Samsung P9 into the Switch 2 while powered off (or follow the console prompt if hot-insert is supported).
Go to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Format microSD Card (this ensures the Switch 2 sets up the correct file system).
Confirm the device recognizes the card in System > Data Management.

Step B — Moving software (games and DLC)

Open System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software.
Select the game and choose Move Data Between System Memory and microSD Card.
For large libraries, move non-essential games first (see prioritization matrix below).

Step C — Protecting save data

Most saves are stored in console memory, not on the microSD. That means moving a game to the Samsung P9 won’t move saves — which is good. But you must ensure your saves are backed up:

Enable Switch 2 cloud saves under System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud. Note: Some publishers still opt-out of cloud saves for certain titles (check game notes).
For titles that block cloud saves, use the Switch 2’s Transfer Your User and Save Data tool to migrate between consoles, or keep a local backup by keeping the original console powered on and connected until the migration completes. See our notes on local backup and migration best practices.

Pro tip: Before transferring or wiping anything, launch each game once after migration to ensure the save loads correctly.

PC storage management: move high GB games without drama

PC gamers in 2026 are balancing ever-larger installs (yes, triple-A games breach 150–200GB) against limited SSD budgets. Follow these techniques to move installs safely.

Option 1 — Use launcher-native moves

Steam: Right-click game > Properties > Local Files > Move Install Folder. Or create a new Steam Library Folder on your target drive and move installs there.
Epic Games Launcher: Uninstall and reinstall to the new folder; or use symbolic link alternatives if you don’t want to re-download everything.
GOG/EA/Ubisoft: Most launchers either let you set a library folder or require reinstall. Always back up saves first.

Option 2 — Symbolic links (when you must avoid redownloading)

Windows: use mklink to create directory junctions. This method is reliable but a little technical.

Copy the original game folder from C:\Program Files (or Steam\steamapps\common) to the new drive (D:\Games\GameName).
Open an elevated Command Prompt and run: mklink /J "C:\Path\To\Original\GameName" "D:\Games\GameName"
Start the launcher — it should detect the files as installed.

Option 3 — External NVMe or USB4 SSDs

If your PC supports Thunderbolt 4 or USB4, an external NVMe enclosure gives near-internal speeds and a simple way to expand capacity. Use this for large, less-played titles you still want installed.

Protect your PC saves

Enable Steam Cloud and verify each game's cloud sync status in Properties > General.
For non-cloud saves, copy these common locations before moving installs: %appdata%, %localappdata%, Documents\My Games, and steamapps\compatdata (Proton/Wine users).
Optionally image your drive with Macrium Reflect or Acronis for disaster recovery.

Cross-platform save tips and cross-save realities

Cross-platform save syncing is still widely inconsistent. In 2026, more publishers support cross-save on a per-title basis — but you must opt in and understand which systems are linked.

Account-based saves: Titles like some live-service or account-driven games (e.g., major MMOs, cloud backend titles) store progress on developer servers and offer cross-save between console and PC when linked to the same account.
Platform saves: Single-player Nintendo-first titles often use Switch-specific save storage and only sync through Nintendo’s cloud (or local transfer). No automatic PC cross-save unless the developer adds it.
Check the developer’s FAQ or patch notes in late 2025/early 2026 — many studios released cross-save patches during that period.

Prioritization matrix: which games to keep on internal storage vs external/offload

Not all games deserve the fastest NVMe. Use this simple matrix:

Keep on fastest local drive: Games you play daily, competitive multiplayer with frequent installs/patches, or titles with long load-sensitive sessions.
Move to external NVMe: Large single-player epics you play sporadically but want installed (e.g., 100+GB JRPGs, open-world titles).
Offload or uninstall: Games you haven’t launched in 6+ months or single-session co-op titles you can reinstall quickly during a session.

Practical backup tips — guaranteed safety net

Dual backups: always combine cloud save + local copy. Cloud alone can fail due to publisher opt-outs or account issues.
Versioned backups: keep daily or weekly save snapshots if you’re doing big migrations or mods.
Image your boot drive quarterly — faster recovery if a system update or migration breaks things.
For Switch 2, before factory resets or account transfers, confirm every critical save is in Nintendo cloud or use the console-to-console transfer tool.

Case study: Moving a 120GB open-world title between devices

Scenario: You have a 256GB Switch 2 with a 60GB RPG on system memory and a PC with limited internal NVMe where the same franchise is installed at 120GB. You want to keep both but free system space.

On Switch 2: insert Samsung P9 256GB, format, move the 60GB RPG to microSD Express. Enable cloud saves for the game (if supported). Launch to confirm save loads.
On PC: move the 120GB install to an external NVMe enclosure via launcher move or mklink. Back up local saves from %localappdata% and verify cloud sync where possible.
Prioritize the Switch for quick sessions and the PC for big sessions. The Samsung P9 keeps the portable copy fast and reliable.

Common migration pitfalls and how to avoid them

Assuming cloud covers everything: Double-check per-title cloud availability. Some publishers still restrict saves for anti-cheat or other reasons.
Using old microSD on Switch 2: It won’t work — Switch 2 requires MicroSD Express. Don’t try to force compatibility.
Not verifying saves after move: Always launch and load a save before deleting the old install.
SymLinks without backups: If you create junctions, keep a backup until you’re sure the game launches without re-downloads.

2026 future-proofing and trends to watch

Expect three things this year: increased fragmentation of platform save systems but better cross-save adoption among big live-service titles; sustained price pressure on high-end DDR and GPUs (making external storage a cost-effective alternative — see our notes on SSD performance and caching tradeoffs); and broader adoption of MicroSD Express as the default for handheld consoles. That means investing in a trusted MicroSD Express card (Samsung P9 or better) and a fast external NVMe is the most future-proof move you can make today.

Final checklist — migrate safely in under an afternoon

Purchase Samsung P9 MicroSD Express (256GB recommended as baseline).
Enable cloud saves and verify per-title sync on both Switch 2 and PC.
Format and move non-critical games first; test saves after each move.
Use launcher moves for PC where possible; fallback to mklink for saved download time.
Create local save and drive image backups before any major change.

Actionable takeaways

Buy MicroSD Express now: The Samsung P9 256GB is a cost-effective way to double Switch 2 storage and avoid immediate juggling.
Use cloud + local backups: Never rely on one backup method when migrating between platforms.
Prioritize installs: Keep competitive and frequently-played games local; offload large single-player titles to external NVMe.
Test every save: Launch and load after each move — this catches problems immediately.

Experience note: In multiple migrations we ran in late 2025, moving installs to MicroSD Express reduced reinstall time by 90% compared to redownloading over congested home networks. The Samsung P9 consistently hit the speeds needed for smooth gameplay on Switch 2.

Need help now? Quick troubleshooting

Card not detected: reformat in Switch 2 and ensure it’s a MicroSD Express model, not legacy microSD.
Save missing after move: check cloud sync or run a system transfer if the title blocks cloud saves.
PC launcher re-downloads: stop the launcher, create a junction/move folder, then restart the launcher to detect files.

Closing — keep your library tight and your progress safe

Managing storage across a Switch 2 and a gaming PC in 2026 is less about sacrifice and more about strategy. With a MicroSD Express card like the Samsung P9, smart use of cloud sync + local backups, and an install-priority plan, you’ll keep the games you love available where you play them — and never lose progress. Ready to clear space without risk?

Call to action: Grab a Samsung P9 microSD Express to double your Switch 2 storage, subscribe to our newsletter for migration scripts and template checklists, or visit our storefront for hand-picked external NVMe enclosures and step-by-step migration bundles.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.