How to Delete Steam Games From Your Computer

 

How to Uninstall Steam Games

After using Steam for over 10 years, I've collected quite a few games. Unfortunately, my computer doesn't have a ton of space remaining. I'm constantly swapping out (uninstalling) games so that I have space for the latest titles.

That's what I love about Steam, though—I never lose the games I buy since they're always tied to my account. This step-by-step guide shows you how to uninstall Steam games so you can save space on your computer, get rid of a horrible game (I'll admit, they're not all awesome games), or delete it regardless of your reasons!

Note: If you don't want to use Steam anymore, I recommend completely uninstalling Steam instead of removing individual games. Let's get started!

Backing Up Save Files on Steam

While many games use Steam Cloud to automatically save your progress online, not all games have this feature. Before getting started, you may want to manually back up your game files.

Save files are stored in the Documents or My Documents folder on your computer under the game's title or developer's name. Alternatively, they might be in the game's installation directory, usually found under This PC > Windows (C:) > Program Files (x86) > Steam > steamapps > common > [Game Name].

Once you locate your save files, copy the files or the entire save folder to a safe location, such as a USB drive or Dropbox.

Uninstalling Steam Games

There are two ways to uninstall a game from Steam. You can do it through "Add or Remove Programs" or by using Steam's uninstaller. I recommend the latter because if you uninstall through "Add or Remove Programs," it'll just open Steam anyway.

1. To get started, open Steam and log in to your account.
2. Click the LIBRARY tab at the top-left of the screen.
3. On the left-hand side of the screen, you'll see a list of all the games tied to your Steam account. Right-click the game you want to uninstall and hover over Manage.
4. Click Uninstall.
5. A confirmation box will appear. Click the Uninstall button. Voilà! The game will be uninstalled (it might take a little while for it to be removed entirely).

You might notice that after you uninstall a game, the title remains in your library list and is grayed out. Don't worry—the game has been removed. The game being left on the list is a good thing. It means you still own it and can install it again in the future.

Unless you want a game removed from your account entirely, leaving it grayed out is your best bet. This brings us to the next topic: reinstalling games.

How to Reinstall Steam Games

What I love most about Steam is that I don't have to keep track of any disks like we used to back in the day. I only have to try to remember my username and password. If I don't want to play a game and need space or want it out of my face, I can uninstall it. If I decide later that I want to play it, I still have it, and I don't have to pay for it again. I go through this process a lot!

So, how do you reinstall a game in Steam? Easy! For this tutorial, I will be installing Firewatch.

1. In Steam, click the LIBRARY tab at the top-left of the screen. In the left pane (your game list), click the game you want to install.
2. The middle pane will populate with information about the game. Here, under the title of the game, click the large blue INSTALL button.
3. A dialog box will appear telling you how much space the game requires and asking you to confirm where you want it installed. I always install my games to the C: drive, but feel free to change it.
4. After confirming you have enough space on your computer for the game, click Install.
5. From here, you may have to accept the game's license agreement.

You might see another screen with icon options. Select whichever options you'd like and click Install. The game will now download and install.

How to Permanently Remove a Game From a Steam Account

In some cases, you may want to disassociate a game entirely from your Steam account. Before you do this, however, be sure to uninstall the game—otherwise you'll have to manually remove the content from your PC later.

Follow these steps to permanently remove a game from your account:

1. In Steam, click the LIBRARY tab at the top-left of the screen. In the left pane of your game library, select the game you want to permanently remove from your account.
2. Below the INSTALL or PLAY button are a few smaller buttons. Click the Support button here. 
3. On the Steam support screen, click I want to permanently remove this game from my account.
4. On the next screen, you'll see a list of games that you will no longer own should you proceed. Confirm that it's the game(s) you want to permanently remove from your account.
5. Click Ok, remove the listed games from my account permanently. You'll then be returned to your library, where the removed game should no longer appear.

Note: You are not requesting a refund for the game by removing it from your account in this way. If you want to request a refund, click No, I changed my mind or wanted to request a refund, then click through the relevant issues you're experiencing via the support screen. (Some of these other options allow you to request a refund.)

You can also permanently remove a game from your account via the official Steam website, as demonstrated in the video below: