Table of Contents
In this article we will show you how to Uninstall Steam from Windows and Mac. Using the ‘Add/Remove’ program, you can uninstall Steam just like you would any other program on your PC. But because Steam is a launcher, removing it will also get rid of a lot of other files, like saved game files and downloaded content. Steam is a computer-based gaming platform that lets users buy and update video games, as well as store their purchases in a safe place. Games are tied to user accounts, so you won’t lose access to your game if you uninstall a game or the whole Steam client. You can just sign back into Steam and download your games again at any time.
Because of this, removing Steam is a great way to free up a lot of space at once. Luckily, it’s very easy to learn how to uninstall Steam completely. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to remove Steam from your computer. Steam is the best-known platform for downloading games, and you can get thousands of games from it. Some people, though, think that playing games on Steam takes too long and that downloading games takes up too much space on their computers. So this article tells you how to Uninstall Steam from Windows and Mac.
What is Steam?
Steam is a digital platform that PC games can be sold on. It was made by Valve Corporation. With the Steam client, users can buy PC games online and then install them directly to their cloud drives. Users of Steam can post reviews, upload their own content, buy DLCs, and do a lot more. The Steam client has many features, such as the ability to update games automatically, access to a list of friends, voice chat in games similar to Xbox Live, and the ability to share games with friends.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Digital distribution | Steam is a digital distribution platform that allows users to purchase and download games, software, and other digital content. |
| Community features | Steam offers a variety of community features, such as forums, chat rooms, and groups, where users can connect with each other and discuss games. |
| Streaming | Steam offers a streaming service called Steam Remote Play that allows users to stream games from their computer to other devices. |
| Workshop | The Steam Workshop is a community-driven content platform where users can create and share mods, maps, and other content for Steam games. |
| Family Sharing | Family Sharing allows users to share their Steam library with up to five other people. |
| Check Price |
Steam is basically an online store for video games. It was made so that Valve’s game updates could be fixed by adding patches that would stop crashes caused by having too many players online. Steam is a platform and app for sharing video games online. It has features for social media and message boards for the community. It was made by Valve, which also made the games Half-Life, Counter Strike, and Left4Dead. It’s one of the most popular gaming platforms and works like a mix of an online store and a community hub.
Why might you want to uninstall Steam?
- Space Management: Steam and its games can take up a significant amount of storage space on your computer. Uninstalling it can free up space for other applications or files.
- Performance: If your computer has limited resources, running Steam and its games might impact overall system performance. Removing it could lead to smoother performance.
- Unused Software: If you’re no longer using Steam or its games, uninstalling it can help declutter your system from unnecessary software.
- Privacy Concerns: Some users might be concerned about the data that Steam collects, so uninstalling it could address those privacy worries.
- Troubleshooting: If you’re experiencing issues with Steam, its games, or related software, uninstalling and then reinstalling Steam can sometimes help resolve problems.
How to Uninstall Steam from Windows
Use the Control Panel
- Click the “Start” button and choose “Control Panel” from the menu.
- Click on the Programs and Features button in the Control Panel.
- Click on Steam from the list of programs.
- Click the button that says “Remove.”
- Follow the instructions on the screen to get rid of Steam.
Use the Apps & features settings page
- Click on “Start” and select “Settings.”
- In the Settings window, click on Apps.
- Scroll down the list of apps to locate Steam.
- Click the “Remove” button.
- Follow on-screen instructions to eliminate Steam.
How to Uninstall Steam from Mac
- Right-click the Steam icon on DockPanel and choose the “Quit” option.
- Use Finder’s Application folder to open Steam.
- Choose “Move to Trash” when you right-click Steam. Or, just drag the icon to the Trash on the DockPanel.
- Now that you’ve deleted the .app file from your MacOS computer, there are still service files and other data left behind. Open the Application folder in the Finder again.
- Press Command + Shift + G, and in the window that pops up, type Library. Hit “Go.”
- Open the folder that says “Application Support.”
- Right-click on the Steam folder to open it. Pick “Put in Trash“.
- Fill up the trash can. Now, the Steam application is gone from the computer for good.
Benefits of Uninstalling Steam
- Free Up Disk Space: Steam and the games installed through it can occupy a significant amount of disk space. Uninstalling Steam can free up space on your hard drive, allowing you to use it for other purposes.
- Improved Performance: Running Steam and its associated games can consume system resources such as CPU, memory, and network bandwidth. Uninstalling Steam can lead to improved system performance, as fewer background processes will be running.
- Reduced Clutter: Uninstalling Steam removes not only the Steam application but also the games and additional content associated with it. This can help declutter your system and make it easier to manage the software you have installed.
- Frees Up Internet Bandwidth: Steam often downloads updates, patches, and new game content in the background. Uninstalling Steam can prevent these background downloads from consuming your internet bandwidth.
- Privacy and Security: Games and applications on Steam might have access to certain system information and permissions. Uninstalling Steam ensures that these applications no longer have access to your system, potentially enhancing your privacy and security.
Questions and Answers
You can do this in two ways. You might be wondering if you can uninstall Steam without losing games. All of your games will still be in your Steam account and on your Mac, so this method won’t make much space available. It does mean, though, that you can get the app again when you’re ready.
If the normal process to uninstall Steam does not work, you may have inadvertently damaged your Steam installation. To uninstall Steam, you may first be required to re-install Steam to repair the installation before it may be removed. The latest Steam installer can be found on the Get Steam Now page.
You can easily remove Steam from your computer the same way you remove any other program. If you uninstall Steam from your PC, all of your games, downloaded content, and save files will also be deleted. You can make a copy of the game’s files first, since they will be deleted when the game is uninstalled.
If you delete your Steam account, you won’t be able to get back your game licenses, community profile, gifts, inventory items, wallet funds, or anything else connected to it.