The fastest way to uninstall a game depends on your operating system

On Windows, most games uninstall through Settings or the Control Panel — the same place you remove any other program. On Mac, you typically drag the game folder to the Trash. On Linux, you use your distribution's package manager or delete the game folder manually. The method matters because some games leave behind files even after you think they are gone, and those leftover files can eat storage space or cause problems if you reinstall later.

The steps below cover Windows, Mac, and Linux. If you bought your game through Steam, Epic Games, or another launcher, that launcher handles the removal for you — you do not need to dig into your system settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can uninstall games through Settings > Apps > Apps and Features, or through Control Panel > Programs and Features.
  • Mac users should drag the game folder to Trash, then empty Trash; some games also leave preference files in the Library folder that you can delete separately.
  • Games bought through Steam, Epic Games, or other launchers uninstall directly from the launcher without touching system settings.
  • After uninstalling, check your Downloads folder and the game's installation directory to delete any leftover files and free up space.

Removing games on Windows through Settings

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the Settings app. Go to Apps, then Apps and Features. Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top to find the game you want to remove. Click the game name, then click Uninstall. A window will appear asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again.

Windows will run the game's uninstaller, which removes the program files and usually cleans up the registry entries the game created. This process can take a few minutes. When it finishes, the game should no longer appear in your Apps and Features list. If the game does not appear in this list, it may have been installed in a way that bypassed the standard installer — see the section on manual deletion below.

Removing games on Windows through Control Panel

If you prefer the older Control Panel method, press the Windows key and type "Control Panel," then open it. Click Programs, then Programs and Features. Find the game in the list, click it once to select it, then click Uninstall at the top. Confirm the uninstall when prompted. This method works identically to the Settings approach — both pull from the same list of installed programs.

Some older games may only appear in Control Panel and not in the newer Settings menu. If you cannot find a game in Settings, try Control Panel instead. After uninstalling through either method, restart your computer to may support all files are released and any temporary files are cleaned up.

Removing games on Mac

Open Finder and navigate to Applications. Find the game in the list, right-click it, and select Move to Trash. Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. The game folder and its main files are now gone.

Some games also store preference files, saved games, and settings in the Library folder. To remove these, open Finder, press Command+Shift+G to open the Go to Folder dialog, type ~/Library, and press Enter. Look for folders named after the game or the game's developer. You can drag these to Trash as well. This step is optional if you do not mind leaving behind a small amount of data, but it ensures a complete removal.

Removing games installed through Steam, Epic Games, or other launchers

If you installed the game through a launcher, uninstall it from the launcher itself — do not try to delete the game folder manually. Open Steam, Epic Games, or whichever launcher you used. Find the game in your library, click it, and look for an Uninstall button. Click Uninstall and confirm. The launcher handles all the cleanup for you.

Launchers keep track of which games are installed and where their files are stored. Using the launcher's uninstall function ensures that the launcher's records stay accurate and that no orphaned files are left behind. If you delete a game folder manually while the launcher still thinks the game is installed, you may see errors the next time you open the launcher.

Manually deleting game files if the uninstaller fails

If a game will not uninstall through Settings, Control Panel, or your launcher, you can delete it manually. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to the drive where the game is installed — usually C:. Look for a folder named after the game or the developer. Right-click the folder and select Delete. On Mac, drag the game folder to Trash as described above.

Before you delete manually, make sure the game is not running. If the game is still open, Windows or Mac will not let you delete its files. Close the game completely, wait a few seconds, then try again. Manual deletion removes the game folder but may leave behind registry entries (Windows) or preference files (Mac). These leftover files take up minimal space and usually cause no problems, but you can clean them up by searching your system for folders or files with the game's name.

Freeing up space after removing a game

Games can occupy anywhere from a few gigabytes to over 100 gigabytes. After uninstalling, check your Downloads folder — some installers remain there even after the game is installed. You can safely delete any game installer files (.exe, .dmg, or .zip files with the game's name) from Downloads.

On Windows, you can also run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files the game may have left behind. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup," and open it. Select the drive where the game was installed, then check the boxes for Temporary Files and Temporary Internet Files. Click Delete Files. On Mac, emptying the Trash (as described above) is usually sufficient. After these steps, the space the game occupied should be available for other files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a game delete my saved games?

Usually no. Most games store saved games separately from the game files themselves — often in a Documents folder, AppData folder (Windows), or Library folder (Mac). When you uninstall the game, these saved files remain. If you reinstall the game later, it will find your old saves. However, some games store saves inside the game folder, so they will be deleted. Check the game's documentation or look in your Documents folder before uninstalling if you want to be certain.

Can I uninstall a game while it is running?

No. You must close the game completely before uninstalling. If you try to uninstall while the game is open, the uninstaller will either fail or leave files behind because the operating system cannot delete files that are currently in use. Close the game, wait a few seconds, then start the uninstall process.

What if a game folder still exists after I uninstall it?

Some games leave behind a folder even after the uninstaller runs. You can delete this folder manually using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac). Right-click the folder and select Delete. If you get an error saying the folder is in use, restart your computer and try again — a background process may still be holding a lock on the folder.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling a game?

Restarting is not always necessary, but it is a good idea. Restarting ensures that any files the game was using are fully released and that the system clears any temporary data. If you uninstall multiple games or notice your computer running slowly after uninstalling, a restart usually fixes it.

How do I find where a game is installed if I cannot uninstall it normally?

On Windows, right-click the game's shortcut on your desktop or in the Start menu and select Open file location. This opens the folder where the game is installed. On Mac, right-click the game in Applications and select Show in Finder. Once you find the folder, you can delete it manually. If there is no shortcut, search your system for the game's name using File Explorer (Windows) or Spotlight (Mac).