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How to Back Up GOG Games With Offline Installers
A game in your account is useful, but a complete installer saved on your own drive gives you another way to reinstall it. GOG offline installers let you install your purchased games without using GOG GALAXY. You download the files while online, then keep them for later.
The steps below cover Windows PC games. Before starting, check the game’s system requirements and make room for both the installer files and the installed game. An external drive can hold your backup, but keeping a second copy protects against losing that drive.
Download the complete installer set
GOG’s download guide identifies the offline option separately from installing through GALAXY. Use the browser route:
- Sign in to your GOG account and open the game you want to back up.
- Expand DOWNLOAD OFFLINE BACKUP GAME INSTALLERS on the game’s page.
- Download all required setup files for the Windows version you want to keep. Wait for every download to finish.
- Put the complete set in one clearly named folder. Keep different versions in separate folders so their parts do not become mixed.
- Copy that folder to your backup drive. Keep the original filenames so you can identify the files later.
Do not judge completeness by the number of files alone. GOG’s launcher FAQ explains that Windows games use an executable setup file, while larger games can also include binary data files. A small setup file may therefore need several companion files.
Keep DLC and progress separate
A base-game installer does not tell you whether you have also saved your purchased expansions. GOG’s DLC instructions say to open the same offline-download section, scroll to the DLC installers, and download their setup files. Run the DLC setup application after downloading it.
| What you keep | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Complete base-game installer set | Installing the saved version of the game |
| DLC installer files | Installing separately supplied add-ons you own |
| A separate save-data backup | Preserving your existing progress |
| A note with the version and download date | Identifying which build you archived |
Treat save data as its own backup job. A downloaded installer is a copy of the installation package, not a copy of the progress already stored on your PC. Check the game’s own support information for its save location before moving or deleting anything.
Check that your backup can install
We recommend checking a backup while you still have time to replace an incomplete download. You do not need to uninstall a working game just to prove that the files exist.
- Open the folder containing the complete installer set and run the .exe setup file.
- Follow the installer’s prompts. If the game is already installed, avoid replacing your working installation solely for this check; use a separate compatible PC if available.
- After installation, launch the game from its shortcut or executable. Confirm that the game reaches playable content.
- Before relying on offline access, disconnect temporarily and check the particular mode you intend to use. Reconnect afterward if you need downloads or online services.
An offline installer does not create a local replacement for an online server. Check the game’s requirements for multiplayer and other connected features instead of assuming that every mode works without internet.
When a download is incomplete or out of date
- Missing setup data: Compare your folder against the game’s download list and fetch any missing parts. Do not keep only the executable when companion files are supplied.
- Interrupted or corrupted downloads: GOG recommends a download manager with queuing, pause, and resume functions when browser downloads cause corruption problems.
- A newer update appears in GALAXY first: GOG’s developer documentation says post-launch offline installers enter a generation queue. They can appear several hours after a new build is published.
Your saved files remain the version you downloaded until you replace them. Keep the version and download date beside each backup, and check the library again when you want a newer build. Start with one game, confirm that its complete set installs, then repeat the process for the rest of the library.
Image Credit: GOG, official press-kit logo
