Does deleting Steam games free up space?

Does Deleting Steam Games Free Up Space?

When it comes to managing your computer’s storage space, deleting games from your Steam library is a common strategy to free up some extra room. But does it really work? In this article, we’ll dive into the details and explore the answer to this question.

Uninstalling Steam Games: What Happens?

When you uninstall a game from your Steam library, the game’s files are removed from your computer. This includes the game’s executable files, game data, and any other associated files. However, the game’s installation directory is not immediately deleted. Instead, Steam marks the directory as empty, which allows you to reinstall the game later if needed.

Does Deleting Steam Games Free Up Space?

So, does deleting Steam games really free up space on your computer? The answer is yes, but it’s not as simple as just deleting the game files. Here’s what happens:

• Game files are removed: When you uninstall a game, the game’s files are removed from your computer, which frees up space on your hard drive.
• Installation directory remains: The game’s installation directory is not immediately deleted, which means that the directory and its contents are still taking up space on your hard drive.
• Cache files are removed: Steam also removes any cache files associated with the game, which can help free up additional space.

How Much Space Does Deleting Steam Games Free Up?

The amount of space that deleting Steam games frees up depends on the size of the game and the number of games you uninstall. Here are some general guidelines:

• Small games: Deleting small games like indie titles or demos can free up around 100-500 MB of space.
• Medium-sized games: Deleting medium-sized games like AAA titles can free up around 1-5 GB of space.
• Large games: Deleting large games like open-world titles or games with massive DLC packs can free up around 10-50 GB of space or more.

What About the Installation Directory?

As mentioned earlier, the game’s installation directory is not immediately deleted when you uninstall a game. This means that the directory and its contents are still taking up space on your hard drive. However, you can delete the installation directory manually to free up additional space.

How to Delete the Installation Directory

To delete the installation directory, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Steam directory (usually located in C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommon).
2. Find the game’s installation directory (it should be named after the game).
3. Right-click on the directory and select "Delete".
4. Confirm that you want to delete the directory and its contents.

Tips for Managing Your Steam Library

Here are some tips for managing your Steam library and freeing up space:

• Uninstall games you no longer play: If you no longer play a game, consider uninstalling it to free up space.
• Use the Steam Cloud: The Steam Cloud allows you to store your game saves and settings online, which can help free up space on your hard drive.
• Delete game cache files: Steam cache files can take up a significant amount of space. Deleting them can help free up additional space.
• Use a third-party cleaning tool: There are many third-party cleaning tools available that can help remove unnecessary files and free up space on your hard drive.

Conclusion

Deleting Steam games can free up space on your computer, but it’s not as simple as just deleting the game files. The game’s installation directory and cache files also need to be considered. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can effectively manage your Steam library and free up space on your hard drive.