What Happens When You Uninstall a Game on Steam?

Uninstalling a game on Steam isn’t quite as straightforward as simply deleting a file. While the core game files are removed from your system, several factors determine what else is affected, especially concerning your saved progress and account ownership. Essentially, uninstalling removes the game’s installed files from your hard drive, freeing up storage space. However, the impact on your progress, screenshots, and purchase history varies based on the game’s cloud save functionality and how you manage your data.

The Immediate Effects of Uninstalling

When you initiate an uninstall through the Steam client, the process typically involves the following:

• Removal of Game Files: The primary effect is the deletion of the game’s core files from your computer. This includes executable files, textures, audio, and other assets necessary for the game to run. This action frees up disk space, which is the main reason many users choose to uninstall games.

• Potential Loss of Local Saves: If a game does not utilize Steam Cloud, uninstalling will likely delete your local save files. These save files are often stored within the game’s installation directory or in a dedicated folder in your “My Documents” directory. Always check this before uninstalling.

• No Impact on Purchase History: Uninstalling a game does not remove it from your Steam library. The game remains associated with your account, and you can reinstall it at any time without repurchasing it. Think of it as removing the physical copy from your shelf, while the digital rights remain yours.

• Retention of Certain Configuration Files: Some games may leave behind configuration files or user settings even after being uninstalled. These files are often small and contain preferences like graphics settings, keybindings, or other customizations. They are usually stored in your “AppData” folder or in the “My Documents” folder, and removing these files might be necessary to completely reset the game to its default settings.

Understanding Steam Cloud and Your Saves

Steam Cloud is a crucial feature that impacts what happens to your save data when you uninstall a game.

• Cloud Saves: If a game supports Steam Cloud, your save files are automatically backed up to Steam’s servers. When you reinstall the game, Steam will automatically synchronize your save data, allowing you to pick up where you left off. This is the most convenient and reliable way to preserve your progress.

• Local Saves: If a game doesn’t support Steam Cloud, your save files are stored locally on your computer. In this case, uninstalling the game will likely delete your save data unless you manually back it up beforehand. Locating the save files and creating a copy is essential if you want to preserve your progress.

• Checking Cloud Save Status: You can quickly check if a game supports Steam Cloud by looking at its library page in the Steam client. The Steam Cloud icon (a cloud symbol) will be displayed next to the game’s name if the feature is enabled.

Screenshots and Other User-Generated Content

Uninstalling a game can also affect your screenshots and other user-generated content.

• Uploaded Screenshots: Screenshots you’ve uploaded to the Steam Cloud will remain accessible even after uninstalling the game. These screenshots are stored on Steam’s servers and can be viewed through your profile or the Steam Cloud.

• Local Screenshots: Screenshots that have not been uploaded to the Steam Cloud are typically stored in a dedicated folder on your computer. While uninstalling the game might not directly delete these screenshots, the folder they reside in could be removed, leading to their loss. It’s always a good idea to back up your important screenshots to a separate location.

• Mods: If you have installed mods for a game, uninstalling the game itself will not automatically remove the mod files. These files are typically stored in the game’s installation directory or a separate “Mods” folder. You’ll need to manually remove the mod files to completely clean up your system.

Reinstalling and Starting Fresh

After uninstalling a game, reinstalling is a simple process within Steam.

• Reinstallation Process: To reinstall a game, simply find it in your Steam library and click the “Install” button. Steam will download and install the game files to your computer.

• Syncing Cloud Saves: If the game supports Steam Cloud, your save data will automatically synchronize after the installation is complete. You can then launch the game and continue playing from where you left off.

• Starting a New Game: If you want to start a completely fresh game, you may need to manually delete any remaining configuration files or local save data that were not removed during the uninstallation process. This ensures that the game starts with its default settings.

Other Platforms

While the article focuses on Steam, it’s interesting to note the many educational opportunities that video games can provide. You can find out more by visiting the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about uninstalling games on Steam to provide further clarity:

1. Will I lose my game progress if I uninstall a Steam game?

It depends. If the game uses Steam Cloud, your progress is saved on Steam’s servers and will be restored when you reinstall. If it doesn’t, your progress is stored locally, and uninstalling the game will likely delete it unless you back it up manually.

2. Do I have to pay for a game again if I uninstall it from Steam?

No. Once you purchase a game on Steam, it’s permanently tied to your account. You can uninstall and reinstall it as many times as you want without paying again.

3. How do I back up my save files for games that don’t use Steam Cloud?

Locate the game’s save files (usually in the game’s installation directory or the “My Documents” folder) and copy them to a safe location, such as an external drive or a separate folder on your computer.

4. Where are Steam screenshots stored?

Screenshots are stored in a folder within your Steam directory, typically under Steamuserdata<your Steam ID>760remote<game ID>screenshots. Uploaded screenshots are also stored on the Steam Cloud.

5. Does uninstalling a game remove mods?

No, uninstalling a game generally does not remove the mods you’ve installed. You’ll need to manually delete the mod files from the game’s installation directory or the mods folder.

6. Can I completely reset a game to its default settings after uninstalling it?

To completely reset a game, you may need to delete any remaining configuration files or local save data that were not removed during the uninstallation process. These files are often located in your “AppData” or “My Documents” folder.

7. What happens to my achievements if I uninstall a game?

Your achievements are tied to your Steam account and will not be lost when you uninstall a game. They will still be visible on your profile.

8. How do I uninstall a game on Steam?

Right-click the game in your Steam library, select “Manage,” and then click “Uninstall.”

9. Will uninstalling a game improve my computer’s performance?

Uninstalling a game frees up disk space, which can help improve your computer’s performance, especially if your hard drive is nearly full. However, the performance improvement may not be significant for all users.

10. What if a game isn’t uninstalling properly through Steam?

Try verifying the game’s cache files or using a third-party uninstaller to remove any remaining files. In some cases, you may need to manually delete the game’s installation folder.

11. Does uninstalling Steam delete my games?

No, uninstalling the Steam client does not automatically delete your installed games. However, it’s recommended to move your steamapps folder (which contains your game files) to a separate location before uninstalling Steam to prevent accidental data loss.

12. How can I find the game ID for screenshots?

The game ID is a numerical identifier assigned to each game on Steam. You can find it in the game’s URL on the Steam store page or by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting “Properties,” and looking at the “App ID” field.

13. What happens to my Steam Workshop subscriptions when I uninstall a game?

Your Steam Workshop subscriptions for a game are retained when you uninstall it. When you reinstall the game, the subscribed workshop content will automatically be downloaded and installed.

14. Can I recover deleted save files after uninstalling a game?

If you have a system restore point or a backup of your hard drive, you may be able to recover deleted save files. Otherwise, it’s generally not possible to recover save files after they have been deleted. Data recovery software can be used but the success is not guaranteed.

15. Is it safe to delete the “steamapps” folder?

Deleting the “steamapps” folder will remove all of your installed games. Only delete this folder if you want to completely remove your Steam installation and all associated game files. Make sure you back up any important data beforehand.

By understanding these aspects of uninstalling games on Steam, you can ensure that your data is protected and that you have a seamless experience managing your game library.