Uninstalling

[poppetshadow]

Can I easily uninstall a purchased game to free up resources, then re-install it later (after updates etc...) and do I need to do something special or just uninstall as normal (same as non-steam games)?

[Snapjak]

Uninstall and reinstall as many times as you want.

[The Giving One]

You can use your Steam library to uninstall it by "removing local game content", or similar named feature in the properties menu for that game.

Yes, doing so frees up resouces on your PC, if you mean disk space.

Right click the game and go to properties then use the tabs on top of the new window that pops up.

(EDIT......They renamed it a while back to "uninstall game", actually)

[poppetshadow]

WOOT! fast replies, THANK YOU!!!

[The Giving One]

You are welcome. What I would suggest is moving the files to a thumb drive or other hard drive for later, if you have one available. That way, you don't have to waste time to redownload it.

You have to save more than the game folder for this, so if you like this idea, there are a couple of steps involved.

[poppetshadow]

I would appreciate the information on how to do that, thank you.

[Snapjak]

Exit Steam (if it's running)
Plug in external drive
Start Steam
Steam (top left) > settings > downloads > Steam Library Folders > add library folder
Right-click game in library > properties > local files > move install

[-$ilver-]

Snapjak の投稿を引用：

Uninstall and reinstall as many times as you want.

Sorry to bump this, but since we bought the game it is still ours even if we uninstall it without having to pay for it again to reinstall correct? I am about to delete many games and I just want to be sure I am not actually losing them forever and then have to repurchase them later.

Also how much space is actually being freed up? The entire game or 99% of it or half still wasting space? Back in the day before Steam games were not always so easy to delete. You could go to your settings, but there could still be folders still laying around on your hard drive or separate paths entirely. Thank you.

[Snapjak]

Games are tied to your account forever.

Like I said, uninstall and reinstall as many times as you want. Or as many times as your ISP will allow you to download without a cap.

However much space the game used when it was installed and any updates.
Things like custom files are generally not removed, but those rarely take up a lot of space.

[Carolynne]

-$ilver- の投稿を引用：

Also how much space is actually being freed up? The entire game or 99% of it or half still wasting space? Back in the day before Steam games were not always so easy to delete. You could go to your settings, but there could still be folders still laying around on your hard drive or separate paths entirely. Thank you.

When uninstalling a game from Steam it will delete the game's directory folder and its content, however it won't delete the game's savefiles, some savefiles tend to be stored in Documents folder and some tend to be stored in %appdata%\Roaming\ folder.
Usually savedata doesn't take up that much space, but it is there nonetheless.

Your screenshots taken using Steam overlay also stays, they're all stored in the userdata folder within Steam directory folder. These will however be deleted if you uninstall Steam client itself, so be cautious.
You can access their individual folders by opening the screenshots box in your Steam library for corresponding game and then select Show on disk...

[-$ilver-]

Thank you much both of you for the help. Much appreciated!