How the hell do you uninstall a game on Steam?

Wizardhermit Sep 9, 2019 @ 11:51pm

methinks you are not clear on what uninstall means.

#1

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Sep 9, 2019 @ 11:55pm

So you want to start game with new save?

Simple you don't need to be uninstall the game to do that, you go where exactly the game save data is, delete it manually, ensure Steam cloud save is turn off, then launch your game.

To overwrite on save cloud, copy your new saves you made, make back up, turn on cloud save, run game, if as you to use current save, do that, instead of downloading, then just close game it should upload your new save to use instead in the future, can try test it out by deleting the save, and see it download the new saves. Now if it doesn't give you option by chance but just update files, then run game, alt tab out, delete the download save, put the back up save you made earlier in it place, close game and that will force to upload the new save.

#2

MadBone12 Sep 9, 2019 @ 11:56pm

All uninstalling does it remove the game from your computer, and that is all it SHOULD do. It is working as it is intended. Removing progress / starting a game from fresh is a completely different thing, and how to do that or if it is even possible depends on the game. Many developers have created an in-game way of resetting your progress, such as an option in the main menu. It would be better to post in the game forum for the game you are trying to reset, and ask people who already own the game if it possible to start a new game or remove all progress, and how to do so.

#3

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:15am

I don't just want a new save, I want an entirely new game. Several of my games are modded beyond repair and I just need to reinstall the game. I know how to make a new save, I wouldn't be uninstalling for that. But everytime I reinstall, my modded files are still there, my mods are still there, my options have not changed, and my broken saves are there.

That's NOT what an uninstall is. That's called restoring. You do not "remove progress", you either restart a save, or uninstall and start fresh. This is why Steam Cloud exists, to prevent you losing progress when you uninstall as what an uninstall SHOULD do.This is what every gave since release has done. Something on Steam or Windows is causing games to RESTORE, and not uninstall properly, and I don't know what is causing it.

For example, I had to redownload Skyrim Special Edition four times despite me turning off Cloud Saves and OneDrive and nothing changed once it was installed. All my previous game files were still there, including modded and edited ones. Only on the fifth time did I reinstall did it finally become a fresh game. Compare this to something not on Steam like for example, Apex Legends, and it would be a fresh game once reinstalled unless it asked if I wanted to transfer my cloud data, which even then, only imports my save game, not the entire fricking game. Steam is not asking me this nor can I find an option to turn this off. That is my issue.

#4

Zukabazuka Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:24am

First thing you should know is that if the mods you install are through Steam, you are gonna have to unsubcribe to those in order to uninstall them. If you downloaded a third party tool to download mods you have to go through that program because the uninstall for games will not remove files it didn't install.

#5

Wizardhermit Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:25am

So you want a program that will remove files that it didn't install and therefore has no idea they are there?

You realize you need to remove mods manually right?

#6

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:28am

Originally posted by Zukabazuka:
First thing you should know is that if the mods you install are through Steam, you are gonna have to unsubcribe to those in order to uninstall them. If you downloaded a third party tool to download mods you have to go through that program because the uninstall for games will not remove files it didn't install.

Yes, unsubscribing from mods and then reinstalling works fine. But several mods I used are third-party that are injectors or wrappers and are either a pain to remove manually, or are pretty much impossible to do and must require a clean reinstall for it to be completely removed. For some reason, Steam/Windows (don't really know yet) restores these game files as well.

#7

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:30am

Originally posted by Wizardhermit:
So you want a program that will remove files that it didn't install and therefore has no idea they are there? You realize you need to remove mods manually right?

No, I just expect a program who removes a game's uninstaller to actually do a good job at uninstalling that game then. AFAIK, no games I have right now have an option to uninstall from the game itself, nor is there some application inside the game's files that will do it, thus I have to rely on Steam.

#8

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 12:35am

Also, from what I can tell right now. The only surefire way to uninstall all games completely is to delete the game's folder from Documents or MyGames. Then delete the game's folder located on Program Filess(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common. Then head to the AppData folder and delete it's file inside the Local folder, then uninstall the game from Steam.

For some reason, uninstalling from Steam first keeps a file intact (not too sure which and I'm not too keen on uninstalling another game to see) or just restores the entire game's file. This also occurs for unmodded games. It could just be craptastic Windows that's causing the issue but it seems other games and programs actually fully remove themselves, then prompts you if you want to restore save data if you can.

#9

Zukabazuka Sep 10, 2019 @ 1:40am

Originally posted by Admiral_Butter:
Also, from what I can tell right now. The only surefire way to uninstall all games completely is to delete the game's folder from Documents or MyGames. Then delete the game's folder located on Program Filess(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common. Then head to the AppData folder and delete it's file inside the Local folder, then uninstall the game from Steam.

For some reason, uninstalling from Steam first keeps a file intact (not too sure which and I'm not too keen on uninstalling another game to see) or just restores the entire game's file. This also occurs for unmodded games. It could just be craptastic Windows that's causing the issue but it seems other games and programs actually fully remove themselves, then prompts you if you want to restore save data if you can.

The uninstall will not delete files that it didn't install. Mods more often than not mod existing files in the folder to get the mod to work. The uninstall check for files with a specific ID and then removes it. When ever you mod a file that ID changes so the uninstaller doesn't see it as one of the files it needs to remove. In fact this has been universal in every single install for windows I ever tried. Any files that I had modded would not be removed and I would have to go to the folder and delete it.

So when you installed third party mods its not Valve job to fix that for you. Its your problem. The other reason for steamcloud not being completely wiped when doing so would remove it entire purpose.

#10

Dr.Shadowds 🐉 Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:25am

Check the places where the files would be for the mods.

The game folder in Steamapp folder under common.

Game folder in documents or under my games folder in the documents.

And if the game data store in Appdata folder check there as well could be under one of the three depending which one the devs want the game data to be under, normally it be local, but never know depending on the game.

#11

Crazy Tiger Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:34am

Originally posted by Admiral_Butter:
Originally posted by Wizardhermit:
So you want a program that will remove files that it didn't install and therefore has no idea they are there? You realize you need to remove mods manually right?
No, I just expect a program who removes a game's uninstaller to actually do a good job at uninstalling that game then. AFAIK, no games I have right now have an option to uninstall from the game itself, nor is there some application inside the game's files that will do it, thus I have to rely on Steam.

Then you should manage your expectations, as software doesn't work that way.

A game won't uninstall files it didn't create. It's not it's files, so it doesn't touch them.
Mods need to be uninstalled manually. Sometimes mods come with their own uninstaller, but usually you just have to do it yourself.

I don't know what you're relying on Steam about, as Steam is nothing in this but a vehicle. Whether you press on uninstall in Steam or you do it through add/remove programs, it's the exact same thing. All it does is activate the games uninstaller, nothing more and nothing less.

It seriously is working as intended.

#12

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:46am

Originally posted by Zukabazuka:
Originally posted by Admiral_Butter:
Also, from what I can tell right now. The only surefire way to uninstall all games completely is to delete the game's folder from Documents or MyGames. Then delete the game's folder located on Program Filess(x86)/Steam/steamapps/common. Then head to the AppData folder and delete it's file inside the Local folder, then uninstall the game from Steam.

For some reason, uninstalling from Steam first keeps a file intact (not too sure which and I'm not too keen on uninstalling another game to see) or just restores the entire game's file. This also occurs for unmodded games. It could just be craptastic Windows that's causing the issue but it seems other games and programs actually fully remove themselves, then prompts you if you want to restore save data if you can.
The uninstall will not delete files that it didn't install. Mods more often than not mod existing files in the folder to get the mod to work. The uninstall check for files with a specific ID and then removes it. When ever you mod a file that ID changes so the uninstaller doesn't see it as one of the files it needs to remove. In fact this has been universal in every single install for windows I ever tried. Any files that I had modded would not be removed and I would have to go to the folder and delete it.

So when you installed third party mods its not Valve job to fix that for you. Its your problem. The other reason for steamcloud not being completely wiped when doing so would remove it entire purpose.

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:
Originally posted by Admiral_Butter:
No, I just expect a program who removes a game's uninstaller to actually do a good job at uninstalling that game then. AFAIK, no games I have right now have an option to uninstall from the game itself, nor is there some application inside the game's files that will do it, thus I have to rely on Steam.

Then you should manage your expectations, as software doesn't work that way.

A game won't uninstall files it didn't create. It's not it's files, so it doesn't touch them.
Mods need to be uninstalled manually. Sometimes mods come with their own uninstaller, but usually you just have to do it yourself.

I don't know what you're relying on Steam about, as Steam is nothing in this but a vehicle. Whether you press on uninstall in Steam or you do it through add/remove programs, it's the exact same thing. All it does is activate the games uninstaller, nothing more and nothing less.

It seriously is working as intended.

This doesn't explain why unmodded games have the issue though. As I said before, I also want a fresh game to remove any bugs or issues that sometimes occur. Even with modded games, I would unsub from any workshop mods before uninstalling and while they wouldn't be active upon reinstallation, previous game files, options and whatnot still remain, so its clear the game didn't uninstall correctly. And no, my expectations are perfectly in-line. Every non-Steam game I have tested so far (including ones ran on other platforms such as U-Play and Epic) can uninstall itself correctly, even with third-party mods and unapproved additions. The only residue they leave behind are minor registry edits, which any free crap software can detect and remove. This is because the uninstaller will remove anything inside its main game folder, so it doesn't matter what's inside of it, as long as it's inside its designated folder, it will be deleted, and it doesn't take rocket science to test this (make a text file, place it in a game folder, delete that game, I'll bet my Steam account it's gone). So this explanation is a load of horse crap and frankly, if you don't know the solution, then I don't need a lecture.

#13

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:50am

Originally posted by Dr.Shadowds 🐉:
Check the places where the files would be for the mods.

The game folder in Steamapp folder under common.

Game folder in documents or under my games folder in the documents.

And if the game data store in Appdata folder check there as well could be under one of the three depending which one the devs want the game data to be under, normally it be local, but never know depending on the game.

Yes. These are the folders I check to properly uninstall the game. AFAIK, Steam doesn't have an issue deleting these files (didn't check though, but I don't have random games floating around in my HDD so I'll assume it's working) but something is leading to it restoring these game files instead of rebuilding a fresh game, despite some of these files not being pertinent to the running of the game. The only two things I know that can Cloud save game files is OneDrive, which is standard on Win10, and Steam Cloud. Both of which I ensured I disabled.

#14

VaticanWaifu Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:55am

I think I'll just stick to my previous method I mentioned for deleting games. Even if Steam did uninstall games correctly, I don't think I could trust it anymore to properly remove all the game files. I'll just delete this now since a solution has been found I guess.

Edit; Passed the limit, guess it'll be good for future reference.

Last edited by VaticanWaifu; Sep 10, 2019 @ 3:56am

#15

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