Removing a game from Steam takes two minutes and frees up disk space
To delete a game from Steam, right-click the game title in your library, select Manage, then Uninstall. Steam removes the game files from your computer but keeps the game in your library list so you can reinstall it later without paying again. If you want the game title itself to disappear from your library view, you can hide it instead — a separate action that does not delete anything.
The difference matters because uninstalling only removes the files taking up space on your hard drive. The game stays linked to your account. Hiding removes it from your view but the game is still yours to reinstall. Deleting the game from your account entirely — so it no longer appears in your library at all — is not possible through Steam's normal settings, because Steam's design assumes you might want to play a game again later.
Key Takeaways
- Uninstalling a game removes the files from your computer but keeps the game in your library, so you can reinstall it free later.
- Hiding a game removes it from your library view without deleting anything, useful if you want a cleaner library list.
- Steam does not let you permanently delete a game from your account — the game remains linked to your account even after uninstalling.
- Uninstalling frees up the disk space the game was using, but your internet connection speed determines how long reinstalling takes later.
How to uninstall a game and free up space
Open Steam and go to your Library. Find the game you want to remove. Right-click the game name and a menu appears. Select Manage, then click Uninstall. A confirmation window asks if you are sure — click Uninstall again. Steam begins removing the game files when ready. The time this takes depends on how large the game is and how fast your hard drive is, but most games finish within a few minutes.
While the uninstall runs, you can close the window and use Steam normally. The game disappears from your library list once the uninstall finishes. If you check your hard drive's free space before and after, you will see it increase by the amount of space the game was using. A large game like Call of Duty might free up 100 gigabytes or more.
How to hide a game instead of uninstalling it
If you want the game to stop appearing in your library view but do not want to delete the files, you can hide it. Right-click the game name in your library, select Manage, then check the box next to Hide this game in my library. The game when ready disappears from your library list. The game files stay on your computer taking up space, but you will not see the title when you browse your games.
Hidden games can be unhidden later. Go to your library, click the gear icon in the top right, select Preferences, then Library. Check the box that says Show hidden games. Your hidden games reappear in the list. You can then unhide individual games by right-clicking and unchecking the hide option.
What happens when you reinstall a game later
After you uninstall a game, it stays in your library forever — you own it as long as your Steam account exists. To play it again, go to your library, find the game title, and click Install. Steam downloads all the files again and installs them. The time this takes depends on the game size and your internet speed. A 50-gigabyte game on a typical home internet connection takes 30 minutes to several hours to reinstall.
You do not pay again to reinstall. Steam remembers that you own the game. Your save files and settings do not come back automatically — Steam stores those separately in the cloud for some games, but not all. Check the game's store page to see if it supports cloud saves. If it does, your progress loads automatically when you reinstall. If not, you start fresh.
Uninstalling versus moving a game to another drive
If you have multiple hard drives or an external drive, you can move a game instead of deleting it. Right-click the game, select Properties, then Installed Files. Click Move Install Folder. Steam lets you choose a different drive. The game files move to the new location, and Steam updates its records so it knows where to find the game. This is faster than uninstalling and reinstalling because Steam does not have to read the files again.
Moving a game is useful if your main drive is running out of space but you have room on a second drive. It keeps the game installed and ready to play without the read time. The game runs the same way from either location.
Freeing up space without uninstalling
If you want to keep a game installed but reduce how much space it uses, some games let you delete optional content. Right-click the game, select Properties, then Local Files. Look for Manage optional content or DLC. Some games let you uninstall language packs, high-resolution textures, or other add-ons you do not use. This frees up a few gigabytes without removing the game itself.
Not all games offer this option. Older games and smaller titles usually do not have optional content to remove. Newer games, especially large ones like Microsoft Flight Simulator or Baldur's Gate 3, often let you remove language packs or texture packs to save space.
Why Steam keeps games in your library after uninstalling
Steam's design assumes you might want to play a game again months or years later. Keeping the game in your library makes that possible — you see it in your list, remember you own it, and can reinstall it without hunting for a purchase receipt or payment method. If Steam deleted games from your account after uninstalling, you might forget you owned them, or lose access if you could not prove the purchase.
This also protects you if you uninstall by accident. You can undo the action by reinstalling. Steam does not make you contact support or jump through extra steps to get the game back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling a game delete my save files?
Not always. Steam stores save files in two places: on your computer in the game folder, and in the cloud if the game supports cloud saves. Uninstalling removes the files in the game folder. If the game has cloud saves enabled, your progress stays in the cloud and loads when you reinstall. Check the game's store page to see if it supports cloud saves.
Can I delete a game from my Steam account permanently?
No. Steam does not let you remove a game from your account permanently. You can uninstall it, hide it, or request a refund if you bought it recently, but the game stays linked to your account. This is by design — Steam wants you to be able to reinstall games you own without extra steps.
How much space does uninstalling a game actually free up?
The space freed equals the size of the game folder. Right-click the game in your library, select Properties, then Local Files to see the exact size before you uninstall. Large modern games range from 50 to 150 gigabytes, while older or smaller games might be 5 to 20 gigabytes.
What if I uninstall a game and then want to play it again?
Go to your library, find the game title, and click Install. Steam downloads and installs it again. You do not pay a second time. The reinstall takes as long as your internet speed allows — typically 30 minutes to several hours for a large game.
Can I move a game to an external USB drive?
Yes. Right-click the game, select Properties, then Installed Files, then Move Install Folder. You can choose an external drive as the destination. The game runs from the external drive, but the drive must stay connected to your computer when you play. If you disconnect it, Steam cannot find the game files.