The fastest way to delete a game

Right-click the game in your Steam library and select Manage, then Uninstall. Steam removes the game files from your computer when ready. The game stays in your library list (marked as "Not installed"), so you can reinstall it later without buying it again.

If you want the game completely out of your library so you do not see it listed at all, you need to remove it from your account through the Steam website, not through the app. This is a separate step from uninstalling.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling a game through the Steam app removes the files from your computer but keeps the game in your library list.
  • Removing a game from your account entirely requires logging into Steam's website and using the support page for each game.
  • Once you remove a game from your account, you cannot reinstall it unless you purchase it again.
  • Uninstalling frees up hard drive space; removing from your account hides it from your library view.

Uninstalling a game to free up space

Uninstalling removes the game files but leaves your purchase history intact. Open Steam, go to your Library, find the game, right-click it, and select Manage > Uninstall. Click Uninstall again to confirm. Steam will delete the game folder and free up the hard drive space it was using.

The game remains in your library with a button that says Install instead of Play. You can reinstall it at any time without paying again. This is the option to choose if you want to make room on your computer but might want to play the game later.

Removing a game from your account permanently

To hide a game from your library entirely, you must remove it from your account through Steam's website. Log in at steampowered.com, click your profile name in the top right, and select Account. Scroll down to Purchase History and find the game you want to remove.

Click the game title to open its store page. Scroll to the bottom and look for a link that says Remove from account or Delete from account (the exact wording varies). Click it, read the warning that you cannot undo this action, and confirm. The game is now removed from your account and will not appear in your library. You would need to purchase it again to play it.

What happens to your save files

Uninstalling a game does not automatically delete your save files. Steam stores saves in a separate folder on your computer, so they remain even after you uninstall. If you reinstall the game later, your saves are still there and the game will find them automatically.

If you remove a game from your account entirely and then reinstall it later after repurchasing, Steam will recognize your old save files and let you continue from where you left off. However, if you want to delete saves manually before uninstalling, you can find them in your Steam folder under userdata — but this is optional and most people leave them alone.

Uninstalling games on different computers

If you have Steam installed on multiple computers, uninstalling a game on one computer does not affect the others. Each computer has its own copy of your games. You must uninstall separately on each machine where you want to free up space.

Your library and purchase history stay the same across all your computers. If you uninstall a game on your laptop but keep it on your desktop, you can still play it on the desktop and reinstall it on the laptop whenever you want.

Removing games you no longer want to see

If you want to hide a game from your library without removing it from your account, you can hide it instead. Right-click the game in your library, select Manage, and check the box next to Hide this game. The game disappears from your main library view but remains in your account and can be reinstalled.

To see hidden games again, go to your library settings and enable the option to show hidden games. This is useful if you have games you do not play often but might want to keep the option to reinstall them later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I uninstall a game?

Uninstalling does not trigger a refund. Steam's refund window is 14 days from purchase and 2 hours of playtime. If you are within that window and have not played much, you can request a refund through Help > Purchase History on the Steam website. Uninstalling the game does not affect your refund may be able to access.

What if I remove a game from my account by mistake?

Contact Steam Support through the Help section on the website. Explain that you removed the game by mistake and ask if they can restore it. They may be able to reverse the removal within a short window, but this is not may provide. It is faster to just repurchase the game if it was inexpensive.

Does uninstalling a game delete my achievements?

No. Your achievements stay on your Steam profile even after you uninstall. If you reinstall the game, your achievements are still there. Removing a game from your account entirely also does not delete achievements — they remain visible on your profile.

Can I uninstall just part of a game to save space?

No. Steam installs and uninstalls games as complete packages. You cannot remove individual files or components. If a game is very large and you want to save space, uninstalling it entirely is the only option.