What does "Verify Integrity of Game Cache" do?

Question

I realize that many times when there is an issue with a game on Steam, it can be solved with "Verify Integrity of Game Cache".  But, what exactly does this do?

I tried running Darksiders and it gave me an error of "Missing Executable", so I figured the verify would easily catch that and install the missing files.  I was wrong, though, since the validation found no problems with the installation and the game continued to not launch from the same error.

I'm curious as to what exactly the verify option does.  I know on some other games I have tried it on, steam will end up downloading some files, but apparently not all files are included in this.

Bungalo Soldier · Answer

It compares the game files you have on installed your computer with those of of the latest version on the steam servers. If its different in any way it replaces or adds on any files.

If I ever have a problem with a game on steam this always the first thing i do.

StanleyIsHere · Answer

What happens is that it checks the games has all the proper files (sometimes if you want to mess with maps and stuff might accidentally delete some stuff so it adds all the right files!)
This happened when I was trying to make Portal 2 and Stanley pabs together and I deleted some files accidentally. So I clicked the Verify thing and I could play Stanley pabs again!

Hope this helps!

Ted Armstrong · Answer

The Steam Client conducts a checksum of the *.manifest files for the game. If your local checksum mismatches the checksum on the Steam Servers, the client will download the files that are "corrupted".
In other words, say your game is several word files in a folder. It will go through each file and count all the a's, b's, ..., z's in the files. If the count is mismatched with the Server record, you will be triggered to redownload the errant file(s).

What does "Verify Integrity of Game Cache" do?

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