I'm a bit worried about kernel-level anti-cheat systems, and I want to separate my games from other data for better privacy. I'm not super tech-savvy, so I'm not sure if that's even possible. I understand that these systems don't actually spy, but I just want to feel a bit more secure about my setup. Any advice would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Yes, you can absolutely do that! It’s a common practice. Just set your game installation directory to the SSD, and most game launchers like Steam or Epic Games let you choose where to install games. Just remember, if you have existing games, you can't simply drag their folder to the new drive. You’ll need to use the launcher’s built-in feature to move them safely. However, keep in mind that kernel-level anti-cheat will still have full access to your system—separating data won't protect you from that.
Pretty much! Those anti-cheat programs run at a system level, meaning they see everything regardless of where your games are.
To put it simply, yes, you can configure your setup that way. I’ve got a dedicated SSD for my games, and it works perfectly. But remember, kernel-level anti-cheat is a different beast—it can still access everything on your PC, regardless of your game file locations. The only way to really secure your data is to keep sensitive info off your system altogether, like on a cloud or external server.
So even if I separate them, it won’t help at all?
Correct. Those programs are designed to monitor everything.
You can definitely set up your SSD just for games, but it won't really change anything regarding those anti-cheat systems. They can still access everything on your system regardless of where the games are installed. If you're worried about performance, it’s actually better to have your OS and all programs on an SSD, not a hard drive. Consider having two SSDs for speed and efficiency, but keep in mind it won't fully address your privacy concerns.
Yes, you can definitely change the installation directory for your games. I recently got a 4TB SSD just for Steam games, and it works great! But again, regarding kernel-level anti-cheats, it won't keep you any safer. They will still have direct access to all parts of your system, so separating files won't provide the privacy you're looking for.
Just a heads up, when you use kernel-level anti-cheat, they install software that operates closely with your OS, meaning they control everything. It’s all about trust, and it can be worrisome. But yes, you can easily set up an SSD for your games, just know that it won’t solve all your concerns about privacy.
So, it really doesn’t matter where I put the games? That sounds a bit concerning.