The fastest way to remove a game from your library

To delete a game from Steam, right-click the game title in your library, select Manage, then choose Uninstall. This removes the game files from your computer but keeps the game in your library — you can reinstall it later without buying it again. If you want to remove it from your library entirely so it no longer appears in your list, you need to hide it instead, which is a separate step.

The uninstall process takes a few minutes depending on the game's size. Steam will ask you to confirm before it deletes the files. Once uninstalled, the game no longer takes up space on your hard drive, but your purchase record stays with your account.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any game in your library and select Manage > Uninstall to remove the game files from your computer.
  • Uninstalling a game keeps it in your library and purchase history — you can reinstall it anytime without paying again.
  • To hide a game from your library view without uninstalling it, right-click the game and select Manage > Hide this game.
  • Games you own but have hidden still appear in your account history and can be unhidden later.

Uninstalling vs. hiding — what's the difference

Uninstalling removes the game's files from your hard drive, freeing up storage space. The game stays in your library and your purchase history. You own it permanently and can reinstall it whenever you want.

Hiding keeps the game files on your computer but removes it from your library view. Hidden games still count toward your storage space. Use hiding when you want to clean up your library display but plan to play the game again soon, or when you want to keep it private from other people who use your account.

Most people uninstall games they no longer play to reclaim disk space. Hide games only if you want them out of sight but ready to play without a fresh download.

Step-by-step uninstall instructions

Open Steam and go to your Library. Find the game you want to remove. Right-click on the game title — a menu will appear with several options.

Click Manage. A submenu opens. Select Uninstall. Steam will show you how much space the game takes up and ask you to confirm the deletion. Click Uninstall again to proceed. The game files will begin deleting immediately. Depending on the game size, this can take anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

Once the uninstall finishes, the game no longer appears in your installed games list, but it remains in your library under "All Games" or in your purchase history. You can reinstall it anytime by clicking the game title and selecting Install.

How to hide games from your library view

If you want a game out of your library display without uninstalling it, hiding is faster. Right-click the game in your library and select Manage > Hide this game. The game immediately disappears from your main library view.

Hidden games still take up hard drive space and still appear in your account history. To see hidden games again, go to your library settings and enable the option to show hidden games, then unhide the ones you want back. This is useful for games you're embarrassed about, games you're taking a break from, or games you want to keep private from people who share your computer.

Freeing up storage space on your computer

If you're running low on disk space, uninstalling games is one of the fastest ways to reclaim it. Large games like Call of Duty or Microsoft Flight Simulator can take 100 GB or more. Uninstalling even a few large games can free up significant space.

Before you uninstall, check how much space each game uses. In your Steam library, right-click a game and select Properties. The Local Files tab shows the installed size. Uninstall the largest games first if you need space quickly.

Steam also has a built-in storage manager. Go to Settings > Storage to see all your installed games sorted by size. From there you can uninstall directly without navigating to your library.

What happens to your purchase history and achievements

Uninstalling a game does not erase your purchase history or achievements. Your account keeps a permanent record that you own the game. Any achievements, badges, or playtime you earned stay on your profile even after you uninstall.

If you reinstall the game later, your save files and achievements are still there (as long as Steam Cloud saved them, which is the default for most games). Some older games or games with local-only saves may not recover your progress if you uninstall and reinstall, so check the game's settings before uninstalling if you care about keeping your save data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I uninstall a game and reinstall it for free later?

Yes. Once you own a game on Steam, you can uninstall and reinstall it as many times as you want without paying again. Your purchase is tied to your account permanently.

Will uninstalling a game delete my save files?

Not if Steam Cloud is enabled for that game, which is the default. Your saves upload to Steam's servers automatically. When you reinstall, they download back to your computer. Some games store saves locally only — check the game's settings if you're unsure.

What's the difference between uninstall and delete?

In Steam, uninstall and delete mean the same thing — both remove the game files from your hard drive. The game stays in your library and purchase history either way.

Can I hide a game so other people on my computer can't see it?

Yes. Hiding a game removes it from your library view. However, anyone with access to your Steam account can unhide it. If you want true privacy, you should use a separate Steam account or adjust your account privacy settings.

How do I see all my hidden games?

Go to your library, click the filter icon or settings menu, and enable the option to show hidden games. All hidden games will reappear in your list. You can then unhide individual games by right-clicking and selecting Manage > Unhide this game.