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How to Move Iracing to Another Drive

Explains how to move iracing to another drive for iRacing drivers: clear steps to relocate files safely, avoid re-downloads, and fix this issue fast. Get racing.

If you need to know how to move iracing to another drive, the short answer is: copy the entire iRacing folder to the new drive, create a junction (so the launcher still finds it), then test and remove the old copy. You’re in the right place to finish this fast and without re-downloading everything.

Quick Answer

Copy the full iRacing installation folder to your new drive, keep the original as a backup, then create a Windows directory junction (mklink /J) from the old path to the new path. Start the launcher to confirm everything works, then delete the backup.

What’s Really Going On

iRacing’s launcher expects files at the path you originally installed. If you simply move files, the launcher can’t find them and will try to re-download content. A directory junction (a Windows shortcut at the file system level) makes the launcher think the files are still in place while they actually live on the new drive — fast and clean.

how to move iracing to another drive — Step-by-step Fix

  1. Close iRacing and the iRacing Launcher. Check Task Manager to ensure no iRacing processes remain.
  2. Locate the iRacing folder (the install location you used). Common places are C:\Program Files (x86)\iRacing or a custom folder.
  3. Copy (don’t cut) the entire iRacing folder to the new drive (example: D:\iRacing). Use File Explorer or a robust copy tool. Wait for the copy to finish.
  4. Rename the old folder to iRacing_old (as a quick backup). This prevents the launcher from accessing the original while you test the new one.
  5. Create a junction so programs still see the original path. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: mklink /J “C:\Program Files (x86)\iRacing” “D:\iRacing” Adjust paths to match your original and new locations.
  6. Launch iRacing. Let the launcher check files. If it starts normally and your cars/tracks show up, you’re good. Delete the iRacing_old folder only after confirming everything works.

If you prefer a reinstall: you can uninstall and reinstall directly to the new drive, but expect long download times.

Extra Tips / Checklist

  • Always copy first, don’t delete originals until the new install works.
  • If you use a custom Documents or “My Documents” iRacing folder, move that too and create a junction for it.
  • Use an SSD if possible — load times improve.
  • For large moves, robocopy can be faster and preserves permissions (advanced users only).
  • If the launcher still wants to download, double-check the junction path and that you pointed to the exact original install folder.

FAQs

Q: Will I lose my settings and replays?
A: No — if you move the entire iRacing folder (including subfolders), settings and replays remain. Always keep a backup until you confirm.

Q: Do I need to redownload everything?
A: Not if you use the junction method. Reinstalling will force re-downloads.

Q: Is mklink safe?
A: Yes — mklink /J creates a junction (like a folder-level redirect). It’s reversible by deleting the junction and restoring the original folder.

Q: Can I move only cars or tracks?
A: You can move subfolders, but it’s riskier. Move the full installation to avoid missing dependencies.

Short Wrap-Up

Move the full iRacing folder, create a junction, test, then delete the backup. That keeps the launcher happy and saves you hours of re-downloading. If anything goes wrong, restore the backup folder and ask for help.