To free space by deleting a game, uninstall it from your Steam Library. If you want to keep playing it without downloading it again, move it to a Steam library on another drive instead. These are different actions: uninstalling removes the local game installation, while moving changes where Steam stores it.
Uninstall a Steam game to remove it from your drive
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Open Steam and go to Library.
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Open the game’s controls. Depending on the client interface, choose Manage > Uninstall or the equivalent uninstall option.
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Confirm the removal when Steam asks. Steam removes the local installation; to play the game again, you’ll need to install it again.
Steam’s support documentation uses the Library and Manage > Uninstall wording, but client menus can change. If the labels differ in your version, look for the game’s uninstall option in its Library controls. Steam Support: Installing a game from a disc.
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Move a game instead of uninstalling it
Moving is the better choice when one drive is full but you want the game to remain installed and ready to play. Steam’s built-in workflow relocates the game between library folders without requiring a new download.
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In Steam, open Steam > Settings > Storage.
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Select the destination drive or library, then select the game you want to relocate.
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Choose Move and confirm the destination.
You can also open the game’s Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder. See Steam Support: Moving a Steam Installation and Games and Steam Support: Managing Steam Downloads & Updates.
Uninstalling Steam is not the same as uninstalling a game
Removing the Steam client is a much broader action. Steam warns that uninstalling it removes Steam and installed game content from the machine. If you want to uninstall the client but retain game installations, move the steamapps folder outside the Steam directory before following Steam’s removal instructions.
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Steam’s cited Windows instructions are specifically for Windows 10: exit Steam, then use Windows Settings > Apps to uninstall it. Menu names may differ in other Windows versions. Steam also warns that its uninstaller deletes the folder where Steam was installed. If that folder contains unrelated files, do not run the uninstaller; follow Steam’s careful manual-removal guidance instead. Its manual Windows registry procedure is a last resort, and Steam warns against deleting registry items you do not understand. Steam Support: Uninstall Steam.
On Mac
Quit Steam and move the app to the Trash, then inspect Library/Application Support/Steam. Steam says dragging the app to the Trash alone does not fully uninstall it. Keep the SteamApps folder if you want to retain game data; remove the Steam data there only if you intend to remove it as well. Follow Steam Support: Removing and Reinstalling Steam on a Mac.
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If Steam says a game is uninstalled but its files are still on disk
Do not delete the game folder just because Steam’s Library shows it as uninstalled. If the files are still in the proper library location, starting the installation can prompt Steam to recognize them rather than download everything again. If the files are in another library folder, add that library in Storage Manager. Steam explains these recovery options in Installed games are appearing as uninstalled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What uninstalling does—and does not—free
Uninstalling removes the local game installation, but the amount of space recovered varies by game and by where its related data is stored. Saved games may be separate from the installation: developers choose save locations, and Steam notes that third-party games not saved with Steam Cloud may keep saves in Documents. Check the game’s own save location before removing related files you want to preserve. Steam’s save-location note appears in its moving games guidance.
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If the space used by a game grows after you play it, Steam lists patches and updates, save files, and custom-content downloads as possible causes. Steam Support: Available disk space decreases every time a game is run.
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