How to Remove a Borrowed Game from Your Steam Account: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve borrowed a game on Steam, played your fill, and now you’re looking to tidy up your library. Maybe it’s cluttering your view, or perhaps you just don’t want to be tempted to jump back in when you have other commitments. Whatever the reason, removing a borrowed game from your Steam account is a simple process. However, understanding the nuances can prevent future confusion.
The direct answer is that you can’t truly remove a borrowed game from your Steam library in the same way you would uninstall or hide a purchased game. The borrowed game will remain visible in your library until the borrower revokes the share. Think of it like returning a library book – you give it back, but the library still knows you borrowed it. The good news is there are ways to minimize its presence.
Here’s the breakdown:
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The Borrower Must Revoke Access: The person who borrowed the game cannot remove it from their library until the lender (the owner of the game) revokes access through Steam Family Sharing. This is the key to the whole process. The borrower cannot initiate the removal.
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The Lender Revokes Access: The game owner needs to go into their Steam settings and disable sharing for the specific user (the borrower). The steps for the lender are:
- Open Steam.
- Click Steam in the top left corner, then select Settings.
- Click Family on the left.
- Under “Authorize Library Sharing on this Computer,” you’ll see a list of authorized accounts.
- Uncheck the box next to the account of the person you want to revoke access from.
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Game Disappears From Borrower’s Library: Once the lender revokes sharing, the borrowed game will disappear from the borrower’s library within a short period. Sometimes it’s immediate; other times, it might take a few minutes.
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Hiding the Game (Workaround): If you want to reduce its visibility before the lender revokes access, you can hide the game in your library. This doesn’t remove it, but it does clean up your main view. To do this:
- Right-click on the game in your library.
- Select Manage.
- Click Hide this game.
The game will now be hidden. To view hidden games, go to View -> Hidden Games at the top of your Steam client.
Understanding Steam Family Sharing Limitations
Steam Family Sharing is a fantastic feature, but it has limitations. Only certain games can be shared, and there are restrictions on simultaneous usage. For instance, if the lender is playing the game, the borrower will be given a few minutes to either purchase the game or quit playing. This is designed to encourage legitimate purchases while still allowing friends and family to share the gaming experience. Resources like those offered by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ help users understand these nuances of the gaming ecosystem and its impact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Removing Borrowed Games from Steam
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to address potential concerns and provide further clarity on managing borrowed games within the Steam ecosystem:
1. Can I remove a borrowed game immediately after playing?
No, you cannot immediately remove a borrowed game. You must wait for the lender to revoke access through Steam Family Sharing.
2. What happens if the lender never revokes access?
The game will remain in your library, albeit potentially hidden. The borrower has no control over removing it. The best course of action would be to politely ask the lender to revoke the access.
3. Does hiding a borrowed game uninstall it?
No, hiding a game only removes it from your main library view. The game files remain on your computer if you downloaded them. To uninstall, you need to uninstall it like any other Steam game.
4. How do I uninstall a borrowed game if I have it downloaded?
Right-click on the game in your library (even if hidden), select Manage, and then click Uninstall.
5. Will my save data be deleted when the lender revokes access?
Generally, no. Steam typically stores save data in the cloud, linked to your account, not the specific game instance. However, it’s always a good idea to back up important save files just in case. You can usually find save files in your Documents folder or within the Steam game directory.
6. Can the lender see how much I played a borrowed game?
Yes, the lender can see your playtime for the borrowed game in their Steam activity feed, similar to how they see playtime for their own games.
7. Is there a limit to how many people I can share my Steam library with?
You can authorize Family Sharing on up to five accounts on up to ten devices.
8. What if the game I borrowed is no longer available on the Steam store?
Even if the game is removed from the Steam store, it will still remain in your library until the lender revokes access. The ability to play it, however, depends on whether it’s still functional on your system.
9. Can I borrow a game from multiple people simultaneously?
Yes, you can borrow games from multiple people. However, you can only access one library at a time. If you want to switch to a different library, the current lender needs to not be playing any games.
10. Does Steam Family Sharing work with all games?
No. Some games, particularly those requiring third-party keys, subscriptions, or accounts, may not be shareable. Valve also reserves the right to disable sharing for specific games at their discretion.
11. If I purchase a game I previously borrowed, will my progress transfer?
Yes, generally your progress will transfer if you purchase a game you previously borrowed, as long as the save data is stored in the cloud or remains intact on your system.
12. How long does it take for a revoked game to disappear from my library?
It usually disappears almost immediately, but sometimes it can take a few minutes for the change to propagate through Steam’s servers. Restarting Steam can sometimes speed up the process.
13. What happens if I try to play a borrowed game after the lender revokes access?
You will receive a notification that the game is no longer available through Family Sharing, and you will be unable to launch it.
14. Can I hide borrowed games permanently, so they never show up in my library again?
No, you cannot permanently hide borrowed games. They will always reappear if you choose to view hidden games. The only way to fully remove them is for the lender to revoke access.
15. Are there any risks associated with Steam Family Sharing?
While generally safe, be cautious about sharing your library with untrusted individuals, as their actions could potentially impact your account standing (e.g., cheating in a shared game could lead to a ban).
Understanding these FAQs should empower you to effectively manage your Steam library and navigate the nuances of Steam Family Sharing with confidence. Remember, communication with the lender is key to a smooth and enjoyable sharing experience.