Hey everyone! Want to free up some space on your PC or just get rid of a game you're no longer playing? Uninstalling games from Steam is super easy, and I'm here to walk you through it step-by-step. So, let’s dive right into how to uninstall Steam games on your PC.

Why Uninstall Steam Games?

Before we get started, let's quickly talk about why you might want to uninstall a game in the first place.

• Free Up Disk Space: Games these days can be huge, taking up tens or even hundreds of gigabytes. Uninstalling a large game can free up significant space on your hard drive or SSD.
• Improve Performance: A cluttered hard drive can sometimes slow down your computer. Removing unused games can help improve overall system performance.
• Declutter Your Library: Maybe you tried a game and didn't like it, or you've simply finished playing it. Uninstalling it helps keep your Steam library tidy and organized.
• Troubleshooting Issues: Sometimes, uninstalling and reinstalling a game can fix technical issues or glitches.

No matter your reason, uninstalling games is a straightforward process. Let’s get to it!

Method 1: Uninstalling Through the Steam Client

The most common and easiest way to uninstall a Steam game is directly through the Steam client. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Steam Client

First things first, make sure you have the Steam client open and you’re logged into your account. If you don’t have Steam installed, you’ll need to download and install it from the official Steam website.

Step 2: Navigate to Your Library

Once you’re in the Steam client, click on the “Library” tab at the top of the window. This will take you to your list of installed and uninstalled games.

Step 3: Find the Game You Want to Uninstall

In your library, find the game you want to remove. You can either scroll through the list or use the search bar in the top-right corner to quickly locate the game.

Step 4: Right-Click the Game

Once you’ve found the game, right-click on its name in the list. A context menu will appear with several options.

Step 5: Select “Manage” and Then “Uninstall”

In the context menu, hover over the “Manage” option. Another submenu will pop up. Click on “Uninstall”.

Step 6: Confirm the Uninstall

A confirmation window will appear, asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall the game. Click “Uninstall” to confirm. Steam will then begin the process of removing the game files from your computer. The time it takes to uninstall will depend on the size of the game.

Step 7: Verify the Uninstallation

Once the uninstallation is complete, the game will disappear from your installed games list in the library. You can also check your hard drive to make sure the game folder has been removed.

Method 2: Uninstalling from Your Computer’s Settings

Another way to uninstall Steam games is through your computer’s settings. This method works similarly to uninstalling any other program on your PC.

Step 1: Open Your Computer’s Settings

• For Windows: Click on the Start button, then click on the gear icon to open the Settings app. Alternatively, you can press the Windows key + I to open Settings directly.
• For macOS: Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen, then select “System Preferences”.

Step 2: Navigate to the Apps or Programs Section

• For Windows: In the Settings app, click on “Apps”. This will take you to the “Apps & features” section, where you can see a list of installed programs.
• For macOS: In System Preferences, click on “Applications”. This will open the Applications folder in Finder.

Step 3: Find the Game in the List

In the list of installed programs, find the Steam game you want to uninstall. You might need to scroll through the list or use the search bar to find it quickly.

Step 4: Uninstall the Game

• For Windows: Click on the game in the list, and an “Uninstall” button will appear. Click on the “Uninstall” button, and follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the game.
• For macOS: In the Applications folder, find the game’s icon. Drag the icon to the Trash in the Dock. Then, empty the Trash to permanently remove the game files.

Step 5: Confirm the Uninstallation

Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstallation. The game will then be removed from your computer. As with the Steam client method, the time it takes to uninstall will depend on the size of the game.

Method 3: Deleting Local Game Files Manually

This method is a bit more technical and is generally not recommended unless you know what you’re doing. Deleting game files manually can sometimes leave behind residual files or cause issues if not done correctly. However, if you’re comfortable with it, here’s how:

Step 1: Locate the Game’s Installation Folder

First, you need to find the folder where the game is installed. By default, Steam games are installed in the following directory:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common

You can also find the installation folder by right-clicking the game in your Steam library, selecting “Properties”, going to the “Local Files” tab, and clicking “Browse Local Files”. This will open the game’s installation folder in File Explorer.

Step 2: Delete the Game Folder

Once you’ve found the game’s installation folder, simply delete it. Right-click on the folder and select “Delete”. You may need to provide administrator permission to delete the folder.

Step 3: Empty the Recycle Bin

After deleting the folder, make sure to empty the Recycle Bin to permanently remove the game files from your computer.

Step 4: Remove the ACF File (Optional)

Steam uses ACF (App Content File) files to keep track of installed games. If you want to completely remove all traces of the game from Steam, you can also delete the ACF file. The ACF files are located in the steamapps folder.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps

The ACF file for a game is named appmanifest_[AppID].acf, where [AppID] is the game’s unique App ID. You can find the App ID for a game by looking at its Steam store page URL. For example, if the URL is https://store.steampowered.com/app/123456/Example_Game/, then the App ID is 123456.

Delete the corresponding ACF file to remove the game completely from Steam’s records.

Warning: Be very careful when deleting files manually, as deleting the wrong files can cause issues with your system or other games.

Additional Tips and Considerations

• Cloud Saves: Steam automatically saves game progress to the cloud for many games. Uninstalling a game will not delete your save data from the cloud. If you reinstall the game later, your progress will be restored.
• Backup Saves: If you want to be extra cautious, you can manually back up your save files before uninstalling a game. Save files are usually located in the game’s installation folder or in the Documents folder.
• Steam Workshop Content: If you’ve subscribed to any Steam Workshop content for a game, it will be automatically unsubscribed when you uninstall the game. You can resubscribe to the content if you reinstall the game later.
• Reinstalling Games: If you decide to play a game again in the future, you can easily reinstall it from your Steam library. Simply find the game in your library and click the “Install” button.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Game Won’t Uninstall

If you’re having trouble uninstalling a game, try the following:

• Restart Steam: Sometimes, simply restarting the Steam client can resolve the issue.
• Restart Your Computer: A reboot can often fix problems with processes that are preventing the uninstallation.
• Run Steam as Administrator: Right-click on the Steam icon and select “Run as administrator”. This can give Steam the necessary permissions to uninstall the game.
• Verify Game Files: Right-click on the game in your library, select “Properties”, go to the “Local Files” tab, and click “Verify integrity of game files”. This can fix corrupted files that might be preventing the uninstallation.

Insufficient Disk Space

Make sure you have enough free disk space to complete the uninstallation. If your hard drive is almost full, try freeing up some space by deleting unnecessary files or moving them to an external drive.

Error Messages

If you’re encountering error messages during the uninstallation process, search online for the specific error message to find potential solutions. The Steam community and other online forums can be valuable resources for troubleshooting.

Conclusion

So there you have it, uninstalling Steam games on your PC is a breeze! Whether you're freeing up precious disk space, decluttering your library, or troubleshooting a pesky game, these methods will get the job done. Remember, the easiest and most recommended way is through the Steam client itself. But hey, now you've got a few options in your back pocket, just in case! Happy gaming, or should I say, happy uninstalling!