The quickest way to delete a game from Steam

To delete a game from Steam, open your Steam library, right-click the game title, select Manage, then click Uninstall. Steam will ask you to confirm, and the game files will be removed from your computer. The whole process takes less than a minute.

The game will stay in your Steam library after uninstalling — you can reinstall it later without buying it again. If you want to hide a game from your library so you do not see it listed, you can do that separately through a different menu.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any game in your Steam library and select Manage, then Uninstall to remove the game files from your computer.
  • Uninstalling a game does not delete it from your account — you can reinstall it anytime without repurchasing.
  • If you want to hide a game from your library view without uninstalling it, use the Hide option in the game's context menu.
  • Steam stores your game files in a folder on your hard drive, and uninstalling frees up that disk space.

Where to find the uninstall option in Steam

Open Steam on your computer and go to your Library tab at the top. Scroll through your game list or use the search box to find the game you want to remove. Once you locate it, right-click directly on the game name.

A menu will appear with several options. Click on Manage, and a submenu will open. From there, select Uninstall. Steam will show you a confirmation dialog asking if you are sure — click Uninstall again to proceed.

What happens to your game after uninstalling

When you uninstall a game, Steam removes all the game files from your hard drive. This frees up disk space — the amount varies depending on the game, but large games can take up 50 to 150 gigabytes or more. You can check how much space a game uses by looking at its properties in your Steam library.

Your purchase record stays in your Steam account. The game remains in your library, and you can reinstall it at any time without paying again. Steam will read the files fresh, which takes the same amount of time as the original installation.

Hiding games from your library instead of uninstalling

If you want to keep a game in your account but do not want to see it in your library, you can hide it instead of uninstalling. Right-click the game and select Manage, then choose Hide this game. The game stays installed on your computer and in your account, but it will not appear in your main library list.

Hidden games can be unhidden later. Go to your library settings, find the option to show hidden games, and they will reappear in your list. This is useful if you have games you rarely play but do not want to uninstall.

Uninstalling games on different Steam locations

Steam lets you install games to different folders on your computer or even on external drives. When you uninstall a game, Steam removes it from whichever location you installed it to. The uninstall process is the same regardless of where the game files are stored.

If you have installed games across multiple Steam library folders, you can manage them all from the same library view. Right-click any game and uninstall it — Steam will handle removing the files from the correct location automatically.

Freeing up disk space by uninstalling multiple games

If your hard drive is running low on space, uninstalling games is one of the fastest ways to free it up. You can uninstall games one at a time, or you can uninstall several in a row without waiting for each one to finish. Steam will queue them up and remove them in order.

Before uninstalling, check the file size of each game in its properties. Right-click the game, select Properties, and look at the Local Files tab to see how much space it uses. This helps you decide which games to remove first if you only need to free up a certain amount of space.

What to do if uninstall does not work

Occasionally the uninstall option may not appear or may fail to complete. If this happens, try restarting Steam completely — close it entirely and open it again, then attempt to uninstall the game. If the problem continues, you can manually delete the game folder from your computer.

Game files are usually stored in a folder called steamapps on your hard drive. You can navigate to this folder using your file explorer, find the game folder, and delete it manually. After that, restart Steam and the game should no longer appear in your library. This method is safe and does not affect your Steam account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall a game and then reinstall it for free?

Yes. Uninstalling removes the files from your computer but keeps the game in your account. You can reinstall it anytime without paying again. Steam will read the full game files, which takes the same time as the original installation.

Does uninstalling a game delete my save files?

Usually yes — most games store save files in the same folder as the game itself, so uninstalling removes them. However, some games save progress to the cloud or to a separate folder. Check the game's settings before uninstalling if you want to keep your progress.

How much disk space will I free up by uninstalling a game?

It depends on the game. Small games may use 5 to 10 gigabytes, while large games can use 100 gigabytes or more. Check the game's properties in Steam to see its exact size before uninstalling.

What if I accidentally uninstall a game I want to keep?

You can reinstall it when ready. Go to your library, find the game, and click the Install button. Steam will read the files again. Your purchase record is permanent, so you will never lose access to a game you own.

Can I uninstall a game while Steam is updating it?

No — you should wait for any updates to finish first. If Steam is actively updating a game, the uninstall option may be grayed out. Close Steam, wait a few minutes, then reopen it and try again.