Uninstalling games - will the game still be in library?

[SuperSweetBoy]

I need to free up space on my hard drive, but I'd also like to keep the games in my library in case I want to install them in the future. How would I go about this?
In addition, if I uninstall a game with DLC on it but the game is still in my library, will the DLC be gone?

[eram]

All owned games are available to download on any pc at any time, regardless of if you uninstalled them. This includes ALL items purchased on steam. Games, DLC etc.

[Eimi]

v

Originally posted by erλm:

All owned games are available to download on any pc at any time, regardless of if you uninstalled them. This includes ALL items purchased on steam. Games, DLC etc.

[SuperSweetBoy]

How would I go about this? I thought selecting Delete Local Content would completely delete it so that it wouldn't be in your library anymore.

[haLIsKa]

^^

[Cathulhu]

That's where you are wrong. The game will stay in the library, the name will turn grey to indicate it's no longer installed. From there you can also reinstall it.

[LuteyWoofs]

The long but direct answer is this.

When you buy a game or application on Steam, the game is added to your Library and shows up inside your Steam account/Client as available for download. -- Authorized to use

At this point, the name "Garrys Mod" would be greyed out until you decided to install it.
The Install process includes downloading mainly, and in your library view it would appear blue with a percentage downloaded/speed.

After it downloads the game or software, tool ETC name will turn white. This means it is ready to use; fully stored on your system inside your steam folder or wherever you chose to store it.

You may easily go inside this folder wherever you have it (Steam > SteamApps default) and delete the game folder there, removing the data from your hard drive. This will obviously clear up space, but steam will think it is installed unless you right click the name inside steam and hit "Delete content"


Deleting content tells steam exactly what the other process did; delete this game's files, and also removes it as a playable entry.


After doing so the game name will again return to grey, still ready for download.

You cannot perpetually remove a purchased title from your library unless you jump through a bunch of hoops with Steam Support Team.



TLDR; "delete game content" does not forever prevent you from enjoying your game. You can easily redownload it to enjoy again.

[SuperSweetBoy]

Thanks very much - you've all been a big help.

[SuperSweetBoy]

Having tried deleting a free game just to test it out, I selected 'Delete Local Content' and it was deleted completely from my library. I then reinstalled the game, but it said that it was still in my library, which it wasn't. I tried reinstalling the game, deleting all the files locally then pressing 'Play' but it wouldn't do anything because it was, of course, missing the files. I tried the Delete Local Content option again and it did the same as the first try. I'm trying to get it so that the game has the grey text in my library as opposed to the white text, in that I want it to show that I have the game.

[wuddih]

Originally posted by SuperSweetBoy:

Having tried deleting a free game just to test it out, I selected 'Delete Local Content' and it was deleted completely from my library. I then reinstalled the game, but it said that it was still in my library, which it wasn't. I tried reinstalling the game, deleting all the files locally then pressing 'Play' but it wouldn't do anything because it was, of course, missing the files. I tried the Delete Local Content option again and it did the same as the first try. I'm trying to get it so that the game has the grey text in my library as opposed to the white text, in that I want it to show that I have the game.

free games are different, they wont stay in library. you have to install them via the storepage again, but that should happen without any problems like you describe.

if the freegame has some DLC, buy it, then it will stay in library.

[Zelva]

If I delete local content, will my progress last or not?

[ᴠᴀʀ]

Depends on the game.

Savegame progression is either stored in /myDocuments or in cloud (Steam cloud/Uplay Cloud/etc)

Local game content is just the runtime files needed to launch and play the game. Saves and progression are stored in a totally different place. If you need to know where it saves stuff for a certain game, just do a quick google search and you see how it's storing your personal preferences/saves.