How to Delete The Sims 4 From Your Computer

Uninstalling The Sims 4 completely

To remove The Sims 4 from your computer, you need to uninstall the game through your system's built-in removal tool, then delete the remaining game files from your hard drive. The uninstaller removes most of the program, but leaves behind save files and settings folders that take up space unless you delete them manually. This guide covers Windows and Mac, and shows you how to remove the game cleanly so you can reinstall it later if you change your mind.

The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes depending on how much content you have installed. You will need administrator access to your computer. If you share the computer with other users, removing the game affects only your account unless you choose to delete shared files.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, open Settings, go to Apps, find The Sims 4, and click Uninstall to remove the main game files.
On Mac, drag The Sims 4 from Applications to Trash, then empty Trash to complete the removal.
After uninstalling, you must manually delete the Documents folder where the game stores saves and mods, located in My Documents on Windows or Documents on Mac.
Deleting the game folder does not remove your Origin or EA App account, so you can reinstall and access your library again later.
If you want to keep your save files but remove the game, copy the Sims 4 folder to an external drive before deleting it.

Uninstalling on Windows 10 and 11

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then click the Settings app. Go to Apps in the left menu, then click Apps and Features. Scroll down until you see The Sims 4 in the list, click it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears.

A window will open asking you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. The removal process will run, and you will see a progress bar. This usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. When it finishes, close the window. The Sims 4 no longer appears in your Apps list, but game files remain on your hard drive in your Documents folder.

Uninstalling on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the left sidebar. Scroll down to find The Sims 4, click it once to select it, then press Command+Delete or right-click and choose Move to Trash. The game moves to your Trash folder but is not yet deleted from your computer.

To complete the removal, click the Trash icon in your Dock, then click Empty in the top right corner of the Trash window. Confirm by clicking Empty Trash. The game is now removed from your Applications folder. Like Windows, your save files and settings remain in your Documents folder until you delete them manually.

Removing save files and settings folders

The Sims 4 stores your saves, mods, and settings in a folder called "The Sims 4" inside your Documents. Uninstalling the game does not touch this folder, so if you want to free up all the space the game used, you must delete it yourself. This folder can be several gigabytes if you have many save files or mods installed.

On Windows, open File Explorer, click This PC, then double-click your C: drive. Open Users, then your username folder, then Documents. Look for a folder named "The Sims 4" and right-click it, then choose Delete. On Mac, open Finder, click your username in the sidebar under Locations, then open Documents. Find "The Sims 4" folder, right-click it, and choose Move to Trash, then empty Trash.

Before you delete this folder, know that it contains all your save games, household files, and any mods you installed. If you think you might play again, copy this folder to an external drive or cloud storage first. Once you delete it, the saves are gone unless you have a backup.

What happens to your Origin or EA App account

Deleting The Sims 4 from your computer does not delete your Origin account or your EA App account. Your account remains active, and your game library still shows The Sims 4 as owned. You can reinstall the game at any time by opening Origin or the EA App, finding The Sims 4 in your library, and clicking Install.

If you reinstall, you will need to read the game files again, which takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed. Your save files will not be there unless you kept a backup of the Documents folder, so you would start with a fresh game.

Removing DLC and expansion packs

If you own expansion packs, stuff packs, or kits for The Sims 4, they uninstall along with the base game when you use the uninstall button. You do not need to remove them separately. However, your account still owns them, and they will read again if you reinstall the game.

If you want to keep the base game but remove a specific expansion pack to save space, you can do this through Origin or the EA App. Open the app, find The Sims 4 in your library, click the three-dot menu next to it, and look for an option to manage installed content. From there you can uncheck specific packs to remove them without touching the base game.

Freeing up disk space after deletion

After you delete The Sims 4 and its Documents folder, the space is marked as available but not when ready wiped clean. To make sure the space is truly freed up and ready for other programs, run your system's disk cleanup tool. On Windows, search for Disk Cleanup, select your C: drive, and click Clean up system files. On Mac, there is no built-in cleanup tool, but the space becomes available automatically for new files.

The Sims 4 typically uses 20 to 40 gigabytes of space depending on how many packs and mods you have installed. Deleting the game and its folders should free up most or all of that space. If you reinstall later, the game will read fresh files, so there is no benefit to keeping the old folders around.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete The Sims 4 and reinstall it later without losing my account?

Yes. Your Origin or EA App account is separate from the game files on your computer. Deleting the game does not affect your account or your ownership of the game. You can reinstall it anytime by opening your app library and clicking Install. Your save files will be gone unless you backed them up, but your account and game ownership remain.

What if I only want to delete my save files but keep the game installed?

Open your Documents folder, find "The Sims 4", then open the "Saves" subfolder inside it. Delete only the save files you do not want, leaving the rest of the Sims 4 folder intact. The game will continue to work, and you can create new saves. This is useful if you want to start fresh without reinstalling the entire game.

Will deleting The Sims 4 remove my mods?

Uninstalling the game does not remove mods because they are stored in your Documents folder, not in the game installation folder. If you delete the "The Sims 4" folder in Documents, your mods are deleted along with it. If you want to keep your mods for a future reinstall, copy the "Mods" subfolder to an external drive before deleting anything.

How much space will I free up by deleting The Sims 4?

The base game uses 20 to 40 gigabytes depending on your system and how many packs you own. Your Documents folder can add another 5 to 20 gigabytes if you have many saves and mods. Deleting both the game and the Documents folder frees up the full amount, though the exact size varies by installation.

Do I need to uninstall through Settings, or can I just delete the game folder?

You should use the uninstall tool in Settings or Applications because it removes system files and registry entries that a manual deletion would miss. straightforward dragging the folder to Trash leaves behind traces that can cause problems if you reinstall later. Use the official uninstall method, then delete the Documents folder manually.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.