The fastest way to remove a game from your computer

The simplest method is to use Windows Settings or your control panel to uninstall the game like any other program. Open Settings, go to Apps > Apps & features, find the game in the list, click it, and select Uninstall. Windows will walk you through removing the program files. This works for most games bought through Steam, Epic Games Store, or installed from a disc.

However, this standard uninstall often leaves behind leftover files — saved games, configuration folders, and cache data that can clutter your drive or cause problems if you reinstall later. If you want a complete removal, you'll need to delete those files manually after the main uninstall finishes.

Key Takeaways

  • Use Settings > Apps > Apps & features to uninstall the game program itself, which removes the main game files.
  • After uninstalling through Settings, manually delete the game's folder in your Documents, AppData, or Program Files to remove leftover save files and settings.
  • Steam, Epic Games Store, and other launchers have their own uninstall buttons within the launcher that may be faster than using Windows Settings.
  • If a game won't uninstall normally, restart your computer and try again, or use a third-party uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller or CCleaner.

Uninstalling through Windows Settings

Open the Windows Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app that appears. Once inside, select Apps on the left sidebar, then Apps & features. Scroll through the list or use the search box at the top to find your game by name.

Click the game name to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A dialog box will pop up asking you to confirm — click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the program files, which usually takes a few seconds to a minute depending on the game's size. When it finishes, the game will no longer appear in your Apps & features list.

Removing leftover game files and save data

After uninstalling through Settings, the game's folder and save files often remain on your drive. To find and delete them, open File Explorer and navigate to these locations: C:\Users\[Your Username]\Documents, C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local, and C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming. Look for a folder with the game's name or the publisher's name.

If you installed the game in a custom location (not the default Program Files folder), navigate there and delete the game's folder directly. Once you've found all related folders, right-click each one and select Delete. Empty your Recycle Bin afterward to permanently remove the files and free up disk space.

Note: The AppData folders are hidden by default. To see them, open File Explorer, click View at the top, and check the box for Hidden items.

Uninstalling games from Steam, Epic, or other launchers

If you own the game through Steam, open the Steam client, go to your Library, right-click the game, and select Manage > Uninstall. Steam will remove the game files directly. Epic Games Store works similarly: open the launcher, find the game in your library, click the three-dot menu, and select Uninstall.

Using the launcher's uninstall button is often faster than going through Windows Settings because the launcher knows exactly where the game files are stored. However, you may still want to check your Documents and AppData folders afterward for save files or configuration folders you want to keep or remove.

When a game won't uninstall normally

If you click Uninstall and nothing happens, or you get an error message, the game files may be locked by a running process. Close the game launcher completely, then restart your computer. After restarting, try uninstalling again through Settings or the launcher.

If the problem persists, a third-party uninstaller tool can help. Programs like Revo Uninstaller (free version available) or CCleaner (free version available) scan your system for all traces of a program and remove them in one go. read one of these tools, run it, select your game from the list, and let it uninstall and clean up leftover files automatically.

Freeing up disk space after uninstall

Once you've deleted the game folder and emptied your Recycle Bin, the disk space is marked as available but not yet fully cleared. To speed up your drive and may support the space is truly free, you can run Disk Cleanup. Press the Windows key, type "Disk Cleanup," and open the tool. Select your main drive (usually C:), check the boxes for Temporary files and Recycle Bin, and click Delete Files.

For a more thorough cleanup, open Settings > System > Storage, scroll down to Temporary files, and click Clean now. This removes cached data from games and other programs that may still be taking up space even after uninstall.

Keeping save files if you plan to reinstall

Before you delete a game's folder, check whether it contains save files you want to keep. Most games store saves in a subfolder labeled "Saves," "SaveGames," or the game's name. If you think you might play the game again, copy that folder to a backup location — your Documents folder, a USB drive, or cloud storage like OneDrive — before deleting the rest of the game files.

When you reinstall the game later, you can paste the save folder back into the game's directory, and your progress will be restored. This is especially useful for single-player games where your saves are tied to your local computer rather than a cloud account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling a game delete my save files?

Not automatically. Windows Settings removes only the game program itself. Save files stay in your Documents or AppData folder unless you manually delete them. If you want to keep your saves, back them up before deleting the game folder.

Can I uninstall a game if it's currently running?

No. Close the game and its launcher completely before uninstalling. If the uninstall fails, restart your computer and try again — this clears any locked files that might be preventing removal.

What's the difference between uninstalling through Settings and through the launcher?

Both remove the game files, but launchers like Steam know exactly where their games are stored, so the process is often faster. Settings works for any program but may leave more leftover files. For a complete removal, use whichever method you prefer, then manually delete leftover folders.

Do I need to use a third-party uninstaller tool?

No, not for most games. Windows Settings and launcher uninstallers work fine. Third-party tools are useful only if a game won't uninstall normally or if you want to remove every trace of a program automatically without hunting for leftover folders.

How much disk space will I free up by uninstalling a game?

It depends on the game. Smaller indie games may use 5 to 10 GB, while large modern games can take 100 GB or more. Check the game's folder size in File Explorer before deleting to see how much space you'll recover.