Delete Fallout 76 and free up your storage space

To remove Fallout 76 entirely from your computer, you uninstall the game through your platform's built-in tools — Steam on PC, the Bethesda Launcher on PC, or the Xbox or PlayStation app on console. The process takes a few minutes and frees up roughly 100 to 150 gigabytes of storage, depending on your version and any updates you've downloaded. The game leaves behind a small folder of saved data and settings that you can delete separately if you want a completely clean removal.

The steps differ slightly between Steam, the Bethesda Launcher, and console platforms, but the principle is the same: find the game in your library, select uninstall, and confirm. If you plan to reinstall later, you can leave the saved files in place. If you want to start fresh or free up every byte, you'll need to delete those folders by hand.

Key Takeaways

  • Steam users right-click Fallout 76 in their library, select Manage, then Uninstall to remove the game files.
  • Bethesda Launcher users click the gear icon next to Fallout 76, select Uninstall, and confirm the removal.
  • Console players go to Manage Game on Xbox or Storage on PlayStation, find Fallout 76, and delete it from there.
  • Saved game data stays on your drive after uninstall and takes up a small amount of space unless you delete it manually.
  • Reinstalling the game later will re-read the full client, so uninstalling does not prevent you from playing again.

Uninstall Fallout 76 on Steam

Open Steam and go to your Library. Find Fallout 76 in your games list — you can search for it by name if the list is long. Right-click on the game title and select Manage, then click Uninstall. A confirmation window will appear asking if you're sure you want to remove the game. Click Uninstall again to proceed.

Steam will delete the game folder, which typically takes a few minutes depending on your drive speed. Once the progress bar finishes, Fallout 76 is gone from your computer. The game will no longer appear in your library unless you reinstall it later. Your saved games and configuration files remain in a separate Steam folder and won't be touched by this process.

Uninstall Fallout 76 on the Bethesda Launcher

Launch the Bethesda Launcher process. In your Games library, locate Fallout 76. Click the gear icon (settings) next to the game title. A dropdown menu will appear — select Uninstall. The launcher will ask you to confirm that you want to remove the game. Click Uninstall again to begin the removal process.

The Bethesda Launcher will delete the game files, which usually takes several minutes. Once complete, Fallout 76 will no longer appear in your Games list. Like Steam, the Bethesda Launcher keeps your saved games and settings in a separate location, so uninstalling does not erase your characters or progress if you decide to reinstall the game later.

Remove Fallout 76 from Xbox or PlayStation

On Xbox, go to My Games and Apps and find Fallout 76 in your installed games. Press the Menu button (three horizontal lines) on the game tile and select Manage Game. Choose Uninstall All to remove the entire game. Confirm when prompted.

On PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4, highlight Fallout 76 on your home screen or in your games list. Press the Options button and select Delete. On some PlayStation versions, you may see Storage or Manage Game Content instead — choose that option and then delete the game. Both platforms will remove the game files but keep your saved data unless you delete it separately.

Delete saved game data and configuration files

After you uninstall the game, a folder containing your saved characters, settings, and login information remains on your drive. On Windows, this folder is usually located at C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents\My Games\Fallout 76. On Mac, it's in ~/Library/process Support/Fallout 76. You can delete this folder by hand if you want to remove every trace of the game.

If you think you might reinstall Fallout 76 later and want to keep your characters, leave this folder in place. The saved data takes up only a few megabytes, so it won't cost you much storage space. If you're certain you won't play again or you want to start completely fresh, delete the folder. On console, saved data is managed through your system's storage settings — go to Storage or System Storage, find Fallout 76, and delete the save data separately from the game itself.

What happens to your characters after uninstall

Your characters and progress are stored on Bethesda's servers, not just on your computer. This means uninstalling the game does not delete your characters — they remain tied to your Bethesda account. When you reinstall Fallout 76, you can log back in and find all your characters exactly as you left them.

The local saved files on your drive are copies of your character data and settings. Deleting them does not affect your account or your characters on the server. However, if you delete the local folder and then reinstall the game, it will need to re-read your character information from the server, which adds a small amount of time to the first launch.

Reinstalling Fallout 76 later

If you uninstall Fallout 76 and later decide to play again, you can reinstall it through the same platform you originally used. On Steam, search for Fallout 76 in the store, click Install, and choose where you want the game to go. On the Bethesda Launcher, go to Games, find Fallout 76, and click Install. On console, go to your library, search for Fallout 76, and select Install.

The reinstall will read the full game client again, which takes time depending on your internet speed and drive performance. Once installation finishes, log in with your Bethesda account and your characters will be waiting for you. There's no penalty for uninstalling and reinstalling — your account and progress are permanent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Fallout 76 delete my characters?

No. Your characters are stored on Bethesda's servers and tied to your account. Uninstalling only removes the game files from your computer. When you log back in after reinstalling, your characters will still be there.

How much storage space does Fallout 76 take up?

The game typically uses between 100 and 150 gigabytes of storage, depending on your platform and how many updates you've downloaded. Uninstalling frees up that space when ready.

Can I delete just the saved game files without uninstalling the game?

Yes. On PC, you can delete the Fallout 76 folder in your Documents or Library without touching the game itself. On console, go to Storage or Manage Game Content and delete the save data separately. The game will still run, but you'll lose your characters and settings.

What if I want to keep my saved games but remove the game client?

Uninstall the game normally through your platform. The saved data folder will remain on your drive. When you reinstall later, the game will find those files and you can continue where you left off.

Do I need to uninstall mods before removing Fallout 76?

Fallout 76 does not support mods in the traditional sense, so there's nothing to uninstall. If you've used any third-party tools or overlays, those are separate programs and won't be affected by removing the game.