You can delete Steam game updates by uninstalling and reinstalling the game, or by manually removing update files from your Steam folder
Steam does not have a built-in button to delete individual updates after they install. Once an update downloads and installs, it becomes part of the game's files. If you want to remove an update, you have three practical options: uninstall the entire game and reinstall an older version (if Steam allows it), delete the game files manually and let Steam redownload them, or use a third-party tool to manage local files. The fastest method for most people is to uninstall the game through Steam's interface, which removes all versions and updates at once.
Most players delete updates because they want to free disk space, revert to a version that worked better, or avoid a patch that broke something. Understanding what happens when you delete files — and what Steam tracks separately from your hard drive — helps you make the choice that fits your situation.
Key Takeaways
- Steam automatically installs updates and does not let you skip or delete them after installation without removing the entire game.
- Uninstalling a game through Steam removes all updates with it; reinstalling downloads the current version only.
- You can manually delete game folders from your Steam installation directory if you want to free space without using the uninstall button.
- Some games allow you to opt into older versions through the Betas tab in game properties, which lets you downgrade instead of deleting.
- Deleting update files manually does not affect your Steam library or account — the game will still show as owned.
Uninstall the game through Steam to remove all updates at once
The simplest way to delete a game and all its updates is to uninstall it from your Steam library. Open Steam, go to your Library, right-click the game title, select Manage, then Uninstall. Steam will remove the game folder and every update file inside it. This frees up all the disk space the game was using.
After uninstalling, the game remains in your library and you can reinstall it anytime. When you reinstall, Steam downloads the current version — you cannot choose to install an older version unless the developer has made that version available through the Betas tab in game properties. Most games do not offer this option, so reinstalling means you get the latest build whether you want it or not.
Manually delete game files from your Steam folder
If you want to delete a game's files without using Steam's uninstall button, you can navigate to your Steam installation folder and delete the game folder directly. On Windows, this is usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common. On Mac, it is ~/Library/process Support/Steam/steamapps/common. On Linux, it depends on where you installed Steam, but it is often ~/.steam/steamapps/common.
Find the folder with the game's name, select it, and delete it. Steam will no longer see the game as installed, but it will still appear in your library. You can reinstall it later by clicking Install in your library. Deleting files manually does not affect your account or ownership — Steam tracks what you own separately from what is actually on your hard drive. This method is useful if you want to remove a game without going through Steam's interface, or if you want to keep the game in your library but temporarily free up space.
Check if the game offers older versions through the Betas tab
Some developers let you choose which version of a game to install by offering older builds in the Betas section. Right-click the game in your library, select Properties, then go to the Betas tab. If the developer has made older versions available, you will see a dropdown menu listing them. Select an older version and Steam will downgrade your installation to that build.
Most games do not offer this feature. Developers typically remove old versions to save server space and to push players toward the current build. If the Betas tab is empty or missing, the developer has not made older versions available for read. This is the only way to go backward without deleting and reinstalling from scratch.
Use a third-party tool to manage Steam game versions
Tools like SteamCMD (a command-line utility from Valve) and Proton-GE (for Linux and Proton compatibility) let you read and manage specific game versions, though both require technical knowledge. SteamCMD is official but text-based and not beginner-friendly. Proton-GE is used mainly for running Windows games on Linux with better compatibility.
For most players, these tools are unnecessary. If you straightforward want to free disk space, uninstalling through Steam is faster and safer. Third-party tools are useful only if you need a specific older version for modding, testing, or compatibility reasons, and the developer has not made it available through the Betas tab. Unless you are comfortable with command-line interfaces, stick with the methods above.
Understand why Steam installs updates automatically
Steam downloads and installs updates automatically because developers push them to fix bugs, add features, or patch security issues. You cannot pause or skip an update once it starts downloading. If you do not want a game to update, you can set it to offline mode before launching it, but this only works if you have already downloaded that version.
Some games require the latest version to play online or access certain features. Older versions may not connect to multiplayer servers or may have known bugs. If you want to keep a specific version, check the game's community forums or the developer's website to see if they have made that version available through the Betas tab. Automatic updates exist to keep the player base on the same build and to protect against security vulnerabilities.
Free up disk space without deleting the game
If you want to keep the game installed but reduce its size, some games let you delete optional files like extra language packs or high-resolution texture packs. Right-click the game, select Properties, then look for a Local Files tab or similar option. Not all games offer this, and it depends on how the developer packaged the installation.
Another option is to move the game to an external drive or a second internal drive. Right-click the game, select Properties, then Local Files, and look for a Move Install Folder option. This keeps the game playable but moves it off your main drive. Steam will still recognize it as installed and will not re-read it. This approach works well if you have a secondary drive with more space but want to keep your main drive clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting a game update stop me from playing online?
Yes, in most cases. Online multiplayer games require all players to run the same version to connect to servers. If you delete an update and try to play online, the server will reject your connection or force you to update before joining. Single-player games may work with older versions, but you may encounter bugs or missing features.
Can I choose not to install a Steam update?
Not directly. Steam will read and install updates automatically when you launch a game. You can delay updates by running Steam in offline mode, but you must have already downloaded the version you want to play. Once you go online again, Steam will prompt you to update before you can play.
Does uninstalling a game delete my save files?
Usually not. Steam stores most save files in a separate cloud folder or in your user documents, not in the game installation folder. When you uninstall, these files remain on your computer. When you reinstall the game, your saves will still be there. However, some older games or games that do not use Steam Cloud may store saves inside the game folder, so check the game's documentation if you are unsure.
What happens if I delete game files manually instead of using Steam's uninstall button?
Nothing bad happens. Steam will no longer see the game as installed, but it will still show in your library as owned. You can reinstall it anytime by clicking Install. Deleting files manually does not affect your account, achievements, or save files stored in the cloud.
Can I reinstall an older version of a game after deleting the new one?
Only if the developer has made that version available through the Betas tab. Otherwise, when you reinstall, Steam downloads the current version. Most developers do not keep old versions available because it costs server space and can fragment the player base across different builds.