The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →To reclaim space from one Steam game, uninstall that game from your Library. If you want to keep playing it without downloading it again, move it to another Steam library drive instead. Uninstalling the Steam client is a separate, broader action that can remove all installed game content.
Uninstall a Steam game to free space
- Open Steam and go to Library.
- Right-click the game you want to remove, or open its game page and select the gear or menu button.
- Choose Manage > Uninstall. Menu labels and placement can vary by client version; Steam’s support material uses this Library path: Library > Manage > Uninstall.
- Review and confirm the removal prompt.
This removes the local game installation. To play the game again, you will need to install it again. How much space you recover depends on that game’s installation and any data stored separately; there is no single Steam-wide recovery amount.
Move a game instead of uninstalling it
If the goal is to free space on one drive while keeping a game installed, move it to a library on another drive. Steam’s Storage workflow moves the installation without requiring a new download.
- In Steam, open Steam > Settings > Storage.
- Select the drive containing the game and select the game you want to move.
- Choose Move, then select the destination library or drive and confirm.
You can also open the game’s Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder. See Steam’s instructions for moving a Steam installation and games and managing Steam downloads and updates.
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Uninstalling Steam itself is different
Removing the Steam client can remove installed games too. Steam Support warns: “This process will remove Steam and any installed game content from your machine.” If you want to preserve installed game files, move the steamapps folder outside the Steam installation directory before removing the client. Follow Steam’s platform-specific directions in Uninstall Steam.
Windows
Steam’s cited Windows instructions are specifically for Windows 10: exit Steam, then uninstall it from Windows Settings > Apps. Do not run the uninstaller if Steam was installed in a folder that also contains unrelated files; Steam warns that the uninstaller deletes the folder where Steam was installed. Its manual registry procedure is labeled a last resort, and Steam cautions against deleting registry items you do not understand.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Mac
On Mac, dragging the Steam app to Trash alone does not fully uninstall it. Quit Steam, move the app to Trash, then inspect Library/Application Support/Steam. Steam’s Mac removal instructions explain how to keep the SteamApps folder if you want to retain game files, or remove Steam data as well.
If Steam says a game is uninstalled but its files are still there
Do not delete the game folder just to make Steam recognize it. If the files are in the proper library location, Steam says that starting the installation can prompt the client to recognize existing files. If the game is in a different library, add that library in Steam’s Storage Manager. Follow Steam’s steps for games appearing as uninstalled.
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Why available space can change after playing
Uninstalling the game removes its local installation, but other files may remain or grow. Steam identifies patches and updates, save files, and custom-content downloads as possible reasons available disk space decreases after a game runs. Save locations can also depend on the game: Steam notes that third-party games not saved through Steam Cloud may store saves in Documents, and developers choose where those files are kept. See Steam’s guidance on available disk space decreasing after a game is run and moving games and save locations.
Quick Recap
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- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
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