How to Uninstall Steam Games (and Reinstall Them Later)
A vast library of games on Steam is a thing of beauty, but sometimes, you need to free up space or take a break from a particular title. Uninstalling games is a breeze on Steam, and the best part is, you can easily reinstall them later without repurchasing. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Uninstalling a Steam Game:
Method 1: Using the Steam Library
- Launch the Steam Client: Double-click the Steam icon on your desktop or open it from your Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (Mac).
- Navigate to Library: Click on the “Library” tab at the top of the Steam window. This will display your collection of games.
- Locate the Game: Scroll through your library or use the search bar to find the game you want to uninstall.
- Right-Click the Game: Once you’ve found the game, right-click on its title in the library list.
- Select “Manage” A drop-down menu will appear. Hover over “Manage” and then select “Uninstall” from the submenu.
Method 2: Using Steam Settings
- Open Steam Settings: Click on “Steam” in the top left corner of the window and select “Settings” from the dropdown menu.
- Navigate to Storage: In the Settings window, click on the “Storage” tab.
- Choose a Drive: A list of drives where your Steam games are installed will be displayed. Select the drive that contains the game you want to uninstall.
- Locate the Game: The list will show all the games installed on that drive. Find the game you want to remove.
- Click “Uninstall”: Click the “Uninstall” button next to the game’s title.
Confirming Uninstallation:
A confirmation window will pop up asking you to verify if you want to uninstall the game. You’ll also see an option to “Delete local content”. This removes all game files from your computer, freeing up disk space. Check this box only if you’re sure you won’t be reinstalling the game anytime soon.
Reinstalling Uninstalled Games:
Reinstalling a game you’ve previously uninstalled is simple:
- Open your Steam Library.
- Locate the uninstalled game: The uninstalled game will appear in your library with a faint outline and a “Not Installed” label.
- Click the “Install” button: Clicking this button will initiate the download and installation process for the game. Steam will automatically recognize that you already own the game and begin downloading the necessary files.
Remember: You can reinstall any game you’ve purchased on your Steam account, as long as the game is still available on the Steam Store.
Uninstalling and reinstalling games on Steam is a straightforward process. With these steps, you can easily manage your Steam library and keep your storage space optimized without losing access to your favorite titles.