If you’re trying to make space forearly-access gamesor just want to clear out some of the games you’re no longer playing, uninstalling Steam games is a quick and easy process. Steam, the popular digital gaming platform, makes it simple to manage your game library.
Uninstalling a game doesn’t mean you lose it forever—you can reinstall it whenever you want without losing your purchase or license. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different ways to uninstall games from Steam, including methods for removing leftover game files to clear your system completely.
Why Uninstall Games on Steam?
Uninstalling games you don’t play anymore can free up valuable space. Maybe you’re switching to a different device or hoarding all thebest free video games on your current platform. Whatever your reason, uninstalling games on Steam helps clean up your computer without losing access to your favorite titles.
Uninstalling Through Steam: The Quickest Method
The easiest way to uninstall games is directly through the Steam client. Here’s how you may do it in just a few simple steps:
Step 1. Open Steam:Launch the Steam application on your computer. If you’re not already logged in, enter your account details.
Step 2. Go to Your Library:At the top of the Steam window, click on the “Library” tab. This will display all the games you currently own, whether installed or not.
Step 3. Select the Game:Scroll through your list of games and find the one you want to uninstall. (I’m using myfavorite single-player horror gameas an example.) Right-click on the game’s title to open a drop-down menu.
Step 4. Manage and Uninstall:In the drop-down menu, hover over “Manage” and click “Uninstall” from the options that appear. Steam will ask for confirmation—click “Uninstall” again.
Step 5. Done:The game will be removed from your system, but don’t worry—it’s still in your Steam library if you ever want to reinstall it.
This is by far the fastest way to uninstall Steam games, and it’s perfect if you’re only looking to remove one or two titles.
Manually Removing Leftover Game Files
Although uninstalling a game via Steam or Windows removes most of its data, some leftover files could still take up space on your hard drive. If you want to ensure that everything is completely removed, follow these steps:
Step 1. Go to the Steam Install Folder:Open your file explorer and navigate to your Steam folder. The default path is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam.
Step 2. Locate the Steamapps Folder:Inside the Steam folder, look for a subfolder called “Steamapps.” Then, find the “Common” folder within it.
Step 3. Find and Delete the Game Folder:In the “Common” folder, you’ll see a list of all the games you’ve installed. Simply find the folder with the name of the game you want to completely remove, right-click it, and select “Delete.”
Step 4. Clear Saved Files (Optional):Some games may also store saved data in your Documents or AppData folders. If you’re sure you want to erase all traces of the game, you’re able to check these folders for any leftover game files and delete them.
Manually deleting the game files will permanently remove saved progress and configuration files. Be sure you’re okay with losing this data before proceeding.
Final Thoughts: Easy Game Management with Steam
Uninstalling games on Steam is a straightforward process that gives you control over your computer’s storage without losing access to your games. Whether you use Steam’s built-in uninstaller or prefer to work through Windows, the steps are simple and quick. And remember, if you want to reinstall a game, it’s just a click away. Be sure to back up your saves if necessary, and you’ll have no trouble managing your game library smoothly.
