Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Steam does not document a setting for resetting or editing a game’s recorded playtime. Steam Community guidance says those hours cannot be reset. If you want other people not to see your hours, mark the game private instead; that hides its playtime from other users but does not erase your record.
Can you reset or edit Steam playtime?
There is no documented user-facing Steam option to change a game’s recorded hours. A Steam Community discussion from May 28, 2022 likewise says users cannot reset or edit playtime. That is community guidance, not an explicit statement of policy from Steam Support.
Removing a game from your account is not a reliable way to reset its hours: Steam Community participants report that removing a game does not reset the recorded total. Steam’s official material cited here does not establish a separate removal procedure for changing playtime.
How to hide playtime from other people
Steam’s Private Games FAQ says marking a game private hides your ownership, in-game status, playtime, and activity in that game from other users. The game remains visible in your own Library; other people see it as if you do not own it.
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- International (UK) Version
- 7.4” diagonal, HDR OLED, 1280 x 800 x RGB, up to 90Hz Refresh rate, High performance touch, <0.1 ms Response time, 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
- SteamOS 3.0 (Arch-based)
- 512GB NVMe SSD, 16GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (5500 MT/s quad 32-bit channels), microSD UHS-I supports SD, SDXC and SDHC
- 6 nm AMD APU, CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32
- From the Steam client: Open your Library, right-click the game, select Manage, then choose the option to mark it private.
- From the game’s properties: Open the game’s Properties and use the Privacy setting to mark it private.
- From your Community profile: Use the game list on your Steam Community profile to mark the title private.
The client’s private option is available when Steam is online and connected. Steam’s Steam Private Games FAQ describes the available routes and what privacy changes.
Private is different from hiding a game in your Library
Hiding a game in the Library is an organizational choice: it removes the title from your own usual Library view. Marking it private controls what other users can see, while the game remains visible to you. Neither action resets recorded hours.
What other players may still see
Private status does not make you invisible in every multiplayer context. Steam says your Steam ID remains visible to other players on a Steam-matchmaking server. A friend invited into a private game can also see your in-game status until they leave the game or disconnect from Steam.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Will a refund erase the hours?
No. Steam’s Common Refund Questions FAQ says playtime and achievements are not removed from your Steam Community Profile after a refund. A refund is therefore not a way to clear the recorded total.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Rank #3
- 【Upgraded】We sells product with professionally upgraded to 2TB SSD. Original Seal is opened for upgrade ONLY.
- 【Stunning 7.4" HDR OLED & 90Hz Motion】 Experience striking contrast and brilliant clarity with the all-new 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. Designed from the ground up for gaming, it features a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth motion and pure blacks. This handheld is capable of delivering an immersive visual experience, ensuring your Steam library looks better than ever with vibrant colors and amazing motion rendition.
- 【30-50% More Battery & Efficient Performance】 Play your favorites longer with up to 50% more battery life. By fitting a larger battery and a power-efficient OLED panel, this device provides extended gameplay sessions. It’s the perfect travel companion for long flights or commutes. The updated AMD APU ensures high-speed performance for AAA titles while maintaining incredible energy efficiency.
- 【3X Faster Downloads with Wi-Fi 6E】 Never wait for a game again. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6E, this Steam Deck OLED offers increased bandwidth and lower latency, delivering downloads up to 3 times faster than previous models. This ensures stable online play and rapid updates, making it the most reliable wireless gaming handheld for modern high-speed home networks.
- 【Responsive Touch & Enhanced Connectivity】 Enjoy a vastly improved touchscreen with higher fidelity and faster haptics. We’ve added a dedicated Bluetooth antenna to improve connections for multiple controllers. Whether using the built-in trackpads or the included external controller, this allows for precision play in everything from FPS to complex strategy games.
Refund eligibility is a separate issue. Steam’s general rule says a title requested within 14 days of purchase with less than two hours played qualifies under the stated refund policy, subject to exceptions. Steam says requests outside those rules can still be submitted for review; the rule concerns refunds, not resetting playtime.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Valve is entering the gaming console marketplace with the new Steam Deck, a console geared towards PC gamers. The Steam Deck can be docked to a monitor, and used as a PC, or docked to a TV.
- Players can play a huge variety of games at any time with the comfort of a console and the freedom of a PC. Not anti-glare screen.
- Like the name suggests, the Steam Deck will include upgraded 1TB storage, and will include a carrying case. A micro SD slot will also enable expanded storage.
- Valve partnered with AMD to create a specialized APU optimized for handheld gaming, and Valve says the chip will deliver performance to run AAA gaming titles.
- The Steam Deck is outfitted with a 7-inch touchscreen, and two trackpads under the control sticks that allow gamers to operate games never designed outside of mouse and keyboard capabilities.
Rank #4
- 512 GB NVMe SSD: Fast storage for quicker game load times and space for larger game libraries.
- OLED Display: 1200x800 resolution with deep contrasts and vibrant colors for a captivating visual experience.
- Custom AMD APU: Power-efficient Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU for desktop-level gaming performance.
- Expandable Storage: Add more space with a microSD card slot, ensuring you can bring even more games with you.
- Versatile Controls: With built-in thumbsticks, trackpads, and touchscreen controls, you have full control over your gaming experience.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
