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Steam does not generally provide a universal Delete Steam Cloud saves button. To remove an old cloud save, you usually need to replace Steam Cloud’s synchronized state with a clean local save: back up your files, disable Cloud for the game, remove or move the local saves, create the replacement save, then re-enable Cloud and choose the local version if Steam asks which files to keep.
This replaces the cloud copy when synchronization completes. It is not the same as directly browsing and permanently deleting files from Steam’s servers.
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Quick answer
- Close the game and wait for Steam to finish syncing.
- Back up the game’s local saves and any relevant Steam
userdatafolder. - Open Library, right-click the game, choose Properties, select General, and turn off the game’s Steam Cloud option.
- Move or delete the unwanted local saves.
- Launch the game while Cloud is disabled and create the clean save state you want. For a complete reset, create at least one new save if the game requires a save file.
- Exit the game, re-enable Steam Cloud, and choose Use local files, Keep local files, or Upload to Steam Cloud if a conflict appears.
The wording can differ between Steam client versions. Do not choose Download cloud files when your goal is to replace the old cloud save.
Before deleting anything
- Close the game completely.
- Resolve any existing Steam Cloud error first. Ignoring a synchronization problem can cause progress loss.
- Back up the entire local save folder rather than only individual files.
- Back up any relevant Steam
userdatafolder and saves on other computers or a Steam Deck. - Check whether the game also uses Ubisoft Connect, EA app, Rockstar Games Launcher, a publisher account, or another cloud-save service.
Steam warns that lost saves may not be recoverable. Keep the backup until you have verified the replacement on Steam Cloud.
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Method 1: Use the game’s own reset or delete option
If the game lets you delete an individual slot or reset its profile, use that feature first. It understands the game’s save format and is less likely to leave behind an index, metadata, or checksum file that makes the remaining saves unreadable.
After deleting the slot in-game, save and exit normally. If the game synchronizes that change through Steam Cloud, the updated state may upload automatically. If the old slot returns, use the manual replacement method below.
Method 2: Replace Steam Cloud with a clean local save
1. Disable Cloud for this game
In the Steam desktop client, open Library, right-click the game, choose Properties, remain on General, and turn off the option labelled similar to Keep games saves in the Steam Cloud for [game].
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2. Find and back up the saves
Steam Cloud-related files commonly appear in these locations:
- Windows:
C:Program Files (x86)Steamuserdata - macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Steam/userdata - Linux and Steam Deck:
~/.local/share/Steam/userdata
Under userdata, the usual structure is:
Steam/userdata/[Steam-account-folder]/[game-AppID]/The AppID is the number in the game’s Steam Store URL. For example, a URL ending in /app/123456/ identifies AppID 123456.
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However, the actual save may be elsewhere. Also check:
%USERPROFILE%DocumentsMy Games%USERPROFILE%Saved Games%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocal%USERPROFILE%AppDataLocalLow%USERPROFILE%AppDataRoaming- The game’s installation directory
- The publisher launcher’s save directory
- The game’s Proton compatibility prefix on Steam Deck or Linux
Developers choose which files Steam Cloud synchronizes through Steam Auto-Cloud or the Steam Cloud API, so the userdata folder is not guaranteed to contain the game’s only save location. Steam’s documentation covers developer-selected save roots and Cloud configuration in its Steam Cloud documentation.
3. Move the unwanted files
For a reversible reset, move the files to a separate backup folder instead of permanently deleting them.
- To remove selected slots, move only the files belonging to those slots if you understand the game’s file structure.
- To reset the whole game, move the entire save directory after backing it up.
- To keep settings but delete progress, identify the save files separately. Do not blindly remove every file.
Some games store every slot in one database or file. Others use separate slot files plus a profile, index, manifest, or checksum. Removing only one component can corrupt the remaining saves. When possible, use the game’s own slot-delete feature.
4. Create the replacement local state
Start the game while Cloud is still disabled. For a selected-slot deletion, confirm the unwanted slot is gone and save if necessary. For a complete reset, begin a new game and create at least one valid save.
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Exit the game normally, then make a backup of the new local state.
5. Re-enable Cloud and choose the local version
Return to Library > right-click the game > Properties > General and turn Steam Cloud back on.
Steam may show a synchronization conflict because the local and remote files differ. To replace the old cloud data, choose the option that keeps or uploads the local files, such as:
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- Keep local files
- Upload to Steam Cloud
| Your goal | Choice |
|---|---|
| Restore the old cloud save | Use or download the cloud files |
| Replace Cloud with the clean local save | Use, keep, or upload the local files |
| You are unsure | Cancel, retain your backup, and compare timestamps |
Steam’s Cloud FAQ recommends comparing file dates and selecting the version containing the progress you want to preserve.
If Steam does not show a conflict
A conflict prompt is not guaranteed. Steam may synchronize silently, particularly when it considers the local and remote states compatible.
- Confirm the game was fully closed.
- Confirm Cloud was disabled before you changed the files.
- Check that you changed the correct save directory.
- Create a new save with a clearly different timestamp and exit normally.
- Restart Steam completely.
- Re-enable Cloud and launch the game once.
- If the old save returns, disable Cloud again and repeat the process with a known-good replacement save.
Do not repeatedly launch the game while alternating between local and cloud choices. Each synchronization can make recovery more difficult.
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How to verify the cloud contents
Launch the game and check its save list. Then, if available, inspect Steam’s remote-storage page:
https://store.steampowered.com/account/remotestorageapp/?appid=APPIDReplace APPID with the game’s numeric AppID. This page can help you inventory files associated with a title, but it is not a universal delete interface. Use it for verification rather than assuming that removing a listed file is supported for every game.
Only after verifying the result should you test the game on another computer or device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why deleted saves keep coming back
- Cloud was disabled too late: Steam downloaded the old files before you changed them.
- The wrong folder was changed: the game may save under Documents, AppData, a Proton prefix, or a launcher directory.
- A profile or index remains: it still points to the old slots.
- Cloud was re-enabled too early: the old remote state was restored before a replacement save existed.
- Another service is syncing: a publisher account or launcher restored the save.
- Steam Deck and Windows use different paths: native Linux and Proton games may store files differently.
- The game synchronized silently: no visible conflict appeared.
Steam Cloud itself only synchronizes files configured by the developer. Cross-platform behavior also depends on that configuration; it is not automatic for every title. See the official Steamworks Cloud documentation for details.
Steam Deck, Linux, and cross-platform saves
On Steam Deck, a native Linux game and a Windows game running through Proton can use different save locations. Proton saves may be inside the game’s compatibility prefix, while the game can still present a Windows-style Documents path internally.
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Do not assume that deleting a Windows save folder also removed the Proton save. Check the game’s platform-specific documentation and back up each relevant device before changing Cloud settings.
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- This Visa Virtual eGift Card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Visa Virtual eGift Cards are emailed active.
- Funds do not expire but your Visa Virtual eGift Card has a ‘valid thru’ date (9 years from date of purchase). If funds remain after this date has passed, please call the Toll Free number found on your Visa Virtual eGift Card for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout.
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What about Steam console commands?
Community posts sometimes recommend opening the Steam console with steam://open/console and using commands such as cloud_sync_up [AppID]. These are community-reported workarounds, not a dependable, officially documented deletion workflow. Command behavior can change, and an incorrect command may upload the wrong local state.
Use the backup, disable-Cloud, local-replacement, and conflict-resolution method first. Avoid third-party “save cleaners” or disk-cleaning tools: they cannot directly control Steam’s remote synchronization and may remove files needed for recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete just one Steam Cloud save slot?
Use the game’s own delete-slot feature whenever possible. Manual deletion is safe only when you know whether the game stores slots separately or keeps them together in one save database.
Does disabling Steam Cloud delete existing cloud saves?
No. Disabling Cloud stops synchronization for that game; it does not by itself erase the remote files.
Can I delete Steam Cloud saves from a browser?
Steam’s remote-storage page can show files associated with a game, but it is not a universal, supported delete interface. Replacing the cloud state with the desired local files is the dependable user-level workflow.
What if the game uses another launcher’s cloud service?
Steam-local deletion may not affect saves synchronized by Ubisoft Connect, EA app, Rockstar Games Launcher, a publisher account, or another service. That service must be checked separately.
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