The fastest way to uninstall a game

The quickest method is to use Windows' built-in uninstall tool. Open Settings, go to Apps, then Apps & features. Scroll down until you find the game you want to remove, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through the removal process, which usually takes a few minutes.

Some games come with their own uninstaller. If you installed the game from a disc or downloaded it directly from the publisher's website, look in your Start Menu under the game's folder — you may see an "Uninstall" shortcut there. Double-click it and follow the prompts.

If you installed the game through Steam, Epic Games Launcher, or another gaming platform, use that platform's uninstall feature instead. Right-click the game in your library, select Uninstall or Manage, and confirm. The platform handles the removal automatically.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings > Apps > Apps & features is the standard way to uninstall any game on your PC.
  • Games installed through Steam, Epic Games Launcher, or other platforms should be uninstalled through that platform, not Windows Settings.
  • After uninstalling, you can manually delete leftover folders in your Documents or AppData directories to free up more space.
  • Restarting your PC after uninstalling a game ensures all files are fully removed and prevents conflicts with future installations.

Uninstalling games from Steam, Epic, and other launchers

If you own the game through Steam, open your library, right-click the game title, and select Manage > Uninstall. Steam removes the game files and updates your library automatically. You can reinstall it later without repurchasing.

Epic Games Launcher works similarly. Go to your library, find the game, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall. The launcher removes the game and frees up the space it used.

For Xbox Game Pass for PC, open the Xbox app, go to My games & apps, find the game, and select Uninstall. Game Pass games can be reinstalled anytime your subscription is active.

Other platforms like GOG, Ubisoft+, and Origin follow the same pattern: find the game in your library, look for an uninstall or manage option, and confirm removal. Each platform stores games in its own folder, so using the platform's uninstall tool ensures the right files are deleted.

Removing leftover game files and folders

Even after uninstalling, some games leave behind folders and files in hidden locations. These take up space but do not affect your PC's performance. If you want to remove them, you can delete them manually.

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local. Look for folders with the game's name or the publisher's name. Right-click the folder and select Delete. Do the same in AppData\Roaming if you find game folders there.

You can also check C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents for game save files, settings, or configuration folders. Delete these only if you are certain you will not play the game again — they contain your progress and preferences.

If a folder is locked or will not delete, restart your PC and try again. Windows sometimes keeps files in use until you reboot.

Using third-party uninstaller tools

Programs like Revo Uninstaller, IObit Uninstaller, and CCleaner can remove games and scan for leftover files automatically. These tools are optional — Windows Settings works fine for most people — but they can be useful if you want to may support nothing is left behind.

read one of these tools from its official website, install it, open it, and search for the game you want to remove. The tool will uninstall the game and offer to scan for and delete remaining files. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Be cautious with these tools: they can delete files you want to keep if you are not careful. Always review what they plan to delete before confirming. If you are unsure about a file or folder, leave it alone.

Freeing up space after removing games

After uninstalling a game and its leftover files, your hard drive should have more free space. You can check how much space you freed by opening Settings > System > Storage. This shows your total drive space and what is using it.

If you uninstalled multiple large games and still do not see much change, run Disk Cleanup. Press Windows key + R, type cleanmgr, and press Enter. Select your drive, check the boxes next to the file types you want to delete (temporary files, recycle bin, etc.), and click Delete Files.

For a more thorough cleanup, use Storage Sense. Go to Settings > System > Storage and turn on Storage Sense. Windows will automatically delete temporary files and empty your recycle bin on a schedule you set.

What to do if a game will not uninstall

Sometimes a game refuses to uninstall or the uninstaller crashes. First, restart your PC and try again — this solves the problem in most cases.

If restarting does not work, try uninstalling through Windows Settings instead of the game's own uninstaller. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the game, and click Uninstall. If that fails, try a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller, which can force removal of stubborn programs.

If the game is still stuck, check whether another program is using its files. Close your web browser, Discord, streaming software, and any other background apps, then try uninstalling again. Some games lock files while other programs are running.

As a last resort, you can manually delete the game's folder from your hard drive. Find where it is installed (usually C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86)), right-click the folder, and select Delete. This removes the game but may leave registry entries behind — a third-party uninstaller can clean those up afterward.

Reinstalling a game you removed

If you uninstalled a game through Steam, Epic Games Launcher, or another platform, you can reinstall it anytime by opening the platform, finding the game in your library, and clicking Install. Your account remembers that you own it.

If you uninstalled a game you bought on disc or downloaded directly from a publisher, you will need the original installer file or disc to reinstall it. Some publishers let you read the installer again from your account on their website — check the publisher's support page to see if this option is available.

Games installed through Xbox Game Pass can be reinstalled as long as your subscription is active. If your subscription expires, you lose access to Game Pass games until you renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a game delete my save files?

Not always. Save files are often stored separately from the game itself, usually in your Documents or AppData folder. However, some games store saves inside their own folder, so they may be deleted. If you want to keep your progress, back up your save files before uninstalling. You can usually find them by searching your Documents folder or the game's settings menu for a "Save" or "Profiles" folder.

Can I uninstall a game while it is running?

No. Close the game completely before uninstalling. If the game is still running in the background, the uninstaller will fail or leave files behind. Check your taskbar and system tray to make sure the game and any related processes are closed.

Does uninstalling a game free up space when ready?

Usually yes, but not always. Windows may take a few minutes to update your storage display. If you do not see the space freed right away, restart your PC or open Settings > System > Storage and refresh the page. Leftover files in AppData may also be taking up space — delete those manually if you want to reclaim all the space.

What is the difference between uninstalling and deleting a game folder?

Uninstalling uses the official uninstaller, which removes the game and its registry entries (settings Windows keeps about the program). Deleting the folder manually removes only the game files, leaving registry entries behind. Using the uninstaller is cleaner, but manually deleting the folder works if the uninstaller is broken.

Can I move a game to a different drive instead of uninstalling it?

Some games allow this, but it is not reliable. Steam and Epic Games Launcher have built-in options to move games between drives — right-click the game and look for "Move" or "Install to another location." For other games, uninstall and reinstall on the new drive. Moving manually often breaks the game because it cannot find its files.