• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 08:16
CEST 14:16
KST 21:16
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
Team Liquid Map Contest #22: Results and Winners7Code S Season 2 (2026): RO4 and Finals Preview12TL.net Map Contest #22 - Voting & Ladder Map Selection7Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview7[ASL21] Finals Preview: Two Legacies21
Community News
ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo4Weekly Cups (June 8-14): Clem and Solar double, PTR tested0RSL: S6 Finals played at BlizzCon 202611Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28)10[BSL22] Non-Korean Championship from 13 to 28 June4
StarCraft 2
General
StarCraft II 5.0.16 PTR Patch Notes may 26th Daily SC2 Player Grid - feedback wanted TL Poll: How do you feel about the 5.0.16 PTR balance changes? Code S Season 2 (2026) - RO8 Preview Updates to The Core/Core Lite for v5.0.16?
Tourneys
Master Swan Open (Global Bronze-Master 2) GSL CK #4 20-21th June Crank Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League Douyu Cup 2026: $20,000 Legends Event (June 26-28) Maestros of The Game 2 announcement and schedule !
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Work In Progress Melee Maps [D]RTS in all its shapes and glory <3
External Content
Mutation # 530 One For All The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 529 Opportunities Unleashed Mutation # 528 Infection Detected
Brood War
General
Data needed BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ BW General Discussion VPN experiences vespene.gg — BW replays in browser
Tourneys
[Megathread] Daily Proleagues [ASL21] Grand Finals [BSL22] Grand Finals - Sunday 21:00 CEST Escore Tournament StarCraft Season 2
Strategy
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Relatively freeroll strategies Creating a full chart of Zerg builds Why doesn't anyone use restoration?
Other Games
General Games
Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread ZeroSpace at Steam NextFest - Last free demo Path of Exile Nintendo Switch Thread ZeroSpace Megathread
Dota 2
Looking for a Dota Mentor Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
Heroes of the Storm
Simple Questions, Simple Answers Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
Vanilla Mini Mafia {D-2} Late to making 20.06.2026 memorable [p]94718
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Russo-Ukrainian War Thread [H]Internet/Gaming Cafe Tips and Tricks The Games Industry And ATVI UK Politics Mega-thread
Fan Clubs
The HerO Fan Club! The herO Fan Club!
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! [Req][Books] Good Fantasy/SciFi books [TV/BOOK] *SPOILERS* Game of Thrones Discussion
Sports
2024 - 2026 Football Thread McBoner: A hockey love story TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Formula 1 Discussion Cricket [SPORT]
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Facing Challenges in Mobile App Development
TL Community
The Automated Ban List
Blogs
How To Predict Tilt in Espor…
TrAiDoS
An Exploration of th…
waywardstrategy
I'm an arrogant trash talke…
FlaShFTW
Gauntlet SC2: A Retrospectiv…
Ctone23
Why RTS gamers make better f…
gosubay
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 9012 users

Portable < 4GB multi-player SC2? - Page 2

Forum Index > SC2 General
Post a Reply
Prev 1 2 3 Next All
ChThoniC
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States536 Posts
March 29 2011 15:14 GMT
#21
Thanks for the help, guys.
Even if I had an 8GB drive, which I plan on grabbing next time I'm out, I still want to be able to take up as little space as possible.

It's worked for me previously with both beta and launch versions of the game. The only time it's failed to run is during patching (I'm not sure why it tries to patch even when I have the latest version downloaded).

The only surefire way to get it to run is to run the install on the computer. The install file is ~7GB iirc, so that takes up quite a bit on even an 8GB drive
i c u
chatter12345
Profile Joined March 2011
3 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-29 16:49:21
March 29 2011 16:42 GMT
#22
Get a fast usb drive with lots of space, probably 32GB, create a bootable win7 install on it and install/update sc2. Boot from the usb drive at whatever computer you're using.

Or do the same with a small portable hard drive.
Raunchy
Profile Joined July 2010
United States24 Posts
March 29 2011 16:46 GMT
#23
16GB flash ftw
CyberPitz
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States428 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-29 17:00:37
March 29 2011 16:59 GMT
#24
I'm not sure how well that would work. If you copy/paste SC2 to another machine, it will start the patch process to download anything else that is needed. I don't know, but I've never found a way around that. I know this has been suggested a few times, but I'd go to the StarCraft 2 folder and delete some of the older "Versions" and that should get the installed folder to 8 gig. Then throw that on a flash drive (Or your phone if you have Android with a decent sized SD Card) and just copy it to the new computer, run the .exe and let bnet install anything it's missing like registry keys and you'll be good to go.

*EDIT* Just to note, I've been able to copy an installed version of SC2 to 3 different computers without having to re-install.
Doko
Profile Joined May 2010
Argentina1737 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-29 17:04:57
March 29 2011 17:04 GMT
#25
self extracting compressed file? im sure you can squeeze a couple MB even if most of the textures / models are already compressed in their formats.
ChThoniC
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States536 Posts
March 29 2011 19:44 GMT
#26
Note: Current version works flawlessly :D



On March 30 2011 01:59 CyberPitz wrote:
I'm not sure how well that would work. If you copy/paste SC2 to another machine, it will start the patch process to download anything else that is needed. I don't know, but I've never found a way around that. I know this has been suggested a few times, but I'd go to the StarCraft 2 folder and delete some of the older "Versions" and that should get the installed folder to 8 gig. Then throw that on a flash drive (Or your phone if you have Android with a decent sized SD Card) and just copy it to the new computer, run the .exe and let bnet install anything it's missing like registry keys and you'll be good to go.

*EDIT* Just to note, I've been able to copy an installed version of SC2 to 3 different computers without having to re-install.


Yeah I've had success, too, but sometimes it crashes while patching (even using the most recent version files).
i c u
Ghad
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Norway2551 Posts
March 29 2011 19:48 GMT
#27
Wouldnt you risk running into some anti cheat stuff from running from a non standard install?
forgottendreams: One underage girl, two drunk guys, one gogo dancer and starcraft 2. Apparently just another day in Europe.
MegaBUD
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada179 Posts
March 29 2011 19:51 GMT
#28
Just buy a 16gig flash drive...

also you gonna need admin right... cause the game have to write some info in the registry.
CyberPitz
Profile Blog Joined June 2009
United States428 Posts
March 29 2011 19:51 GMT
#29
On March 30 2011 04:44 ChThoniC wrote:
Note: Current version works flawlessly :D



Show nested quote +
On March 30 2011 01:59 CyberPitz wrote:
I'm not sure how well that would work. If you copy/paste SC2 to another machine, it will start the patch process to download anything else that is needed. I don't know, but I've never found a way around that. I know this has been suggested a few times, but I'd go to the StarCraft 2 folder and delete some of the older "Versions" and that should get the installed folder to 8 gig. Then throw that on a flash drive (Or your phone if you have Android with a decent sized SD Card) and just copy it to the new computer, run the .exe and let bnet install anything it's missing like registry keys and you'll be good to go.

*EDIT* Just to note, I've been able to copy an installed version of SC2 to 3 different computers without having to re-install.


Yeah I've had success, too, but sometimes it crashes while patching (even using the most recent version files).

What if you leave all of the current version files in there? That's the only thing I didn't do (Since there wasn't any need to make the files smaller). Sure, it's not what you were wanting, but this may be the only / fastest way?
KillerPlague
Profile Joined June 2010
United States1386 Posts
March 29 2011 19:54 GMT
#30
i so could see myself playing starcraft in our school library while everyone else around me is studying for finals lmao!
Side 1: Why no dominant players with 90% win ratio Side 2: Nerf Side 1
Turing
Profile Joined April 2010
United States211 Posts
March 29 2011 19:56 GMT
#31
SC2 writes stuff to the registry, so it will only work on a computer that previously had SC2 installed anyway.
Kooun
Profile Joined January 2009
Canada260 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-29 20:21:49
March 29 2011 20:01 GMT
#32
There is one way:

Contents in the 4gb USB:
Battle.net (keep all inside the folder)
Logs (keep all inside the folder)
Mods (keep all inside the folder)
Support (keep all inside the folder)
Versions ( remove everything except Shaders[biggest number] and Base[biggest number]
Starcraft II.exe

You can only ladder or play melee custom games. UMS/campaign won't work.
EDIT: also, I think you can't watch previous version of the replays. Note: you won't be able to patch with just your usb.
Mute
Profile Joined August 2010
United States67 Posts
March 29 2011 20:05 GMT
#33
Wait... Can someone explain what the purpose of doing this is? Can you open the USB on any computer and open the game?
GinDo
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
3327 Posts
March 29 2011 20:05 GMT
#34
On March 29 2011 15:20 drolkrad wrote:
why don't you just buy a 8gb flash drive, they only cost like $7 or $8 bucks...(including shipping)


Were? all the ones i find are at least 16.
ⱩŦ ƑⱠẬ$Ħ / ƩǤ ɈƩẬƉØƝǤ [ɌȻ] / ȊṂ.ṂṼⱣ / ẬȻƩɌ.ȊƝƝØṼẬŦȊØƝ / ẬȻƩɌ.ϟȻẬɌⱠƩŦŦ ϟⱠẬɎƩɌϟ ȻⱠẬƝ
froGGifyre
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States213 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-03-29 20:09:41
March 29 2011 20:07 GMT
#35
you're still going to need to install the game on an OS.. carry the cd
channel PanK since '00 twitter.com/froggifyre twitch.tv/froggifyre
Kooun
Profile Joined January 2009
Canada260 Posts
March 29 2011 20:18 GMT
#36
On March 30 2011 05:05 Mute wrote:
Wait... Can someone explain what the purpose of doing this is? Can you open the USB on any computer and open the game?

If you have a sc2 directory in your usb, you should be able to run it from your usb.
Mute
Profile Joined August 2010
United States67 Posts
March 29 2011 20:20 GMT
#37
On March 30 2011 05:18 Daiki wrote:
Show nested quote +
On March 30 2011 05:05 Mute wrote:
Wait... Can someone explain what the purpose of doing this is? Can you open the USB on any computer and open the game?

If you have a sc2 directory in your usb, you should be able to run it from your usb.


I can't believe I didn't know this! Mind Blown!
GogoKodo
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Canada1785 Posts
March 29 2011 20:43 GMT
#38
On March 30 2011 04:56 Turing wrote:
SC2 writes stuff to the registry, so it will only work on a computer that previously had SC2 installed anyway.

Not true. I've been able to just copy/paste the installed folder from one computer to a brand new machine that has never had SC2 installed.
twitter: @terrancem
WackaAlpaca
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada208 Posts
April 07 2011 06:51 GMT
#39
I too have been looking into trying to get sc2 (Online only of course) as small as possible so i can play at school where i am not allowed to install.
this is my question though (As i am not super computer savvy, but not totally innept either):

If I have one 4gb flash drive, and one 1gb flash drive, could I copy the bulk of the files to the prior, and then copy the one folder that puts it over the limit to the latter? I mean, if I am just copying the files to the desktop from both drives anyway, is this feasible?

I would love for someone who has actually done this to do a step by step guide, even if that is just a couple screen grabs and some bullet points because a lot of people are probably as confused as I am.
Thanks for the help in advance
"
whsper
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada48 Posts
April 07 2011 06:54 GMT
#40
On April 07 2011 15:51 WackaAlpaca wrote:
I too have been looking into trying to get sc2 (Online only of course) as small as possible so i can play at school where i am not allowed to install.
this is my question though (As i am not super computer savvy, but not totally innept either):

If I have one 4gb flash drive, and one 1gb flash drive, could I copy the bulk of the files to the prior, and then copy the one folder that puts it over the limit to the latter? I mean, if I am just copying the files to the desktop from both drives anyway, is this feasible?

I would love for someone who has actually done this to do a step by step guide, even if that is just a couple screen grabs and some bullet points because a lot of people are probably as confused as I am.
Thanks for the help in advance


It is definitely doable to split the folder up into multiple chunks and split it over different flash drives.

The biggest issue you'll run into will be hardware on your school computers (most schools don't have decent graphic cards in their computers) and the presence of directX if running on XP or lower.

Another problem you'll run into will be permissions. School computers are often locked down so that you cannot run un-authorized programs.

Anyways, good luck!
Prev 1 2 3 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Spring Champion…
11:00
Playoffs
Cure vs SKillous
IntoTheiNu 527
TaKeTV 373
TKL 207
LiquipediaDiscussion
CranKy Ducklings
10:00
Master Swan Open #104
CranKy Ducklings45
LiquipediaDiscussion
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
TKL 207
Rex 136
Ryung 84
Railgan 55
BRAT_OK 53
SHIN 15
MindelVK 12
StarCraft: Brood War
Calm 5205
Sea 3249
Shuttle 1570
Mini 575
firebathero 444
BeSt 420
Soma 328
Soulkey 287
NaDa 231
ggaemo 172
[ Show more ]
Hyun 169
Pusan 102
Snow 97
soO 75
[sc1f]eonzerg 52
Sharp 50
JYJ 47
Sea.KH 46
Mind 38
ToSsGirL 36
Free 33
Killer 30
sorry 30
scan(afreeca) 29
Hm[arnc] 17
HiyA 15
ajuk12(nOOB) 11
IntoTheRainbow 9
Icarus 4
Dota 2
BananaSlamJamma229
League of Legends
JimRising 281
Counter-Strike
allub341
kRYSTAL_30
Super Smash Bros
Mew2King96
Other Games
crisheroes349
B2W.Neo327
Lowko272
Trikslyr25
Organizations
Dota 2
PGL Dota 2 - Secondary Stream4744
StarCraft 2
WardiTV781
Blizzard YouTube
StarCraft: Brood War
BSLTrovo
[ Show 14 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• StrangeGG 43
• CranKy Ducklings SOOP13
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• LaughNgamezSOOP
• Migwel
• sooper7s
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
Dota 2
• lizZardDota276
League of Legends
• Jankos3398
Upcoming Events
Big Brain Bouts
3h 44m
Maplez vs eGGz
Reynor vs Solar
WardiTV Spring Champion…
22h 44m
GSL
23h 44m
Maru vs ShoWTimE
Classic vs Reynor
herO vs Lambo
Solar vs Clem
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
1d 6h
XuanXuan vs Jaystar
Mihu vs Messiah
eOnzErG vs Dewalt
Bonyth vs Jaystar
TerrOr vs Messiah
XuanXuan vs Mihu
eOnzErG vs Jaystar
Replay Cast
1d 11h
WardiTV Spring Champion…
1d 22h
GSL
1d 23h
Patches Events
2 days
BSL22 NKC (BSL vs China)
2 days
Dewalt vs Messiah
Bonyth vs Mihu
TerrOr vs XuanXuan
eOnzErG vs Messiah
Jaystar vs Mihu
Dewalt vs XuanXuan
Bonyth vs TerrOr
Replay Cast
2 days
[ Show More ]
WardiTV Weekly
2 days
Monday Night Weeklies
3 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
3 days
Douyu Cup 2020
5 days
Oliveira vs Trap
Jieshi vs XY
soO vs FanTaSy
TY vs Coffee
The PondCast
5 days
Douyu Cup 2020
6 days
Neeb vs Impact
MacSed vs Cyan
Scarlett vs Kelazhur
INnoVation vs Dear
Liquipedia Results

Completed

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 2
uThermal 2v2 2026 Main Event
Heroes Pulsing #2

Ongoing

IPSL Spring 2026
Acropolis #4
CSCL: Masked Kings S4
YSL S3
BSL 22 Non-Korean Championship
SCTL 2026 Spring
Maestros of the Game 2
WardiTV Spring 2026
Murky Cup 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 2
CS Asia Championships 2026
Asian Champions League 2026
IEM Atlanta 2026
PGL Astana 2026
BLAST Rivals Spring 2026
IEM Rio 2026
PGL Bucharest 2026

Upcoming

CSL 2026 Summer (S21)
CSLAN 4
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Revival: Season 6
CranK Gathers Season 4: BW vs SC2 Team League
HSC XXIX
Douyu Cup 2026
BCC 2026
Heroes Pulsing #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
Esports World Cup 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.