What Happens If You Uninstall a Steam Game?
When it comes to uninstalling a Steam game, many users are left wondering what happens to their progress, game saves, and overall game files. In this article, we will explore the effects of uninstalling a Steam game and provide a comprehensive guide on what you need to know.
Uninstalling a Steam Game: What Happens?
When you uninstall a Steam game, the following occurs:
- Your game saves are saved: If your game saves have been synced to the Steam cloud, they will be preserved and can be restored if you reinstall the game.
- Your game files are deleted: All game files, including mods, DLC, and expansions, will be deleted from your computer.
- Your game directory is deleted: The game directory, which includes all game files, will be deleted from your computer.
- Your game shortcut is removed: The shortcut to the game will be removed from your desktop or start menu.
- Your game entries are removed: All game entries, including achievements and cloud saves, will be removed from your Steam library.
What About Cloud Saves?
Cloud saves are preserved: If your game saves have been synced to the Steam cloud, they will be preserved and can be restored if you reinstall the game. This means that you won’t lose your progress if you reinstall the game or switch to a new computer.
What About Achievements?
Achievements are reset: If you uninstall a Steam game, your achievements will be reset to zero. This means that you will not retain any achievements you earned while playing the game.
What About Mods?
Mods are deleted: If you have installed mods for a Steam game, they will be deleted when you uninstall the game. This means that you will need to reinstall the mods if you decide to reinstall the game.
What About DLC and Expansions?
DLC and expansions are deleted: If you have purchased DLC or expansions for a Steam game, they will be deleted when you uninstall the game. This means that you will need to purchase them again if you decide to reinstall the game.
Can You Mass Uninstall Steam Games?
Yes, you can: You can batch uninstall Steam games using the Steam client. To do this, follow these steps:
- Launch Steam: Launch the Steam client and log in to your account.
- Select the games: Select the games you want to uninstall by checking the boxes next to them.
- Right-click on the selected games: Right-click on the selected games and select "Manage" > "Uninstall Selected".
- Confirm the uninstallation: Confirm the uninstallation of the selected games.
Tips and Tricks
- Backup your game saves: Before uninstalling a Steam game, make sure to backup your game saves to an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
- Use the Steam Cloud: Use the Steam cloud to sync your game saves, achievements, and cloud saves. This will ensure that your progress is preserved if you reinstall the game or switch to a new computer.
- Reinstall the game: If you uninstall a Steam game and want to reinstall it, you can do so by searching for the game in the Steam store and clicking the "Install" button.
Conclusion
In conclusion, uninstalling a Steam game will delete all game files, game saves, and game directory from your computer. However, your game saves will be preserved if they have been synced to the Steam cloud. It is important to backup your game saves before uninstalling a Steam game and to use the Steam cloud to sync your progress. By following these tips and tricks, you can ensure that your progress is preserved and you can easily reinstall the game if needed.