Can I uninstall and reinstall Steam without affecting my purchased games?

All Discussions > Steam Forums > Steam for Mac > Topic Details

Squallken Jan 2, 2014 @ 3:04pm

I know there is a way to do this on a PC with a folder but I found nothing on how to do it or if its even possible on a Mac. Because I can't find a folder named steam, just the app of the same name.

So how do I uninstall Steam on a MAC without deleting my purchases if that's possible.

If it is possible I would like to know. Thank you.

< >

Showing 1-8 of 8 comments

Kordaz Jan 2, 2014 @ 3:45pm

Yes, but needs downloading again... games can't effected even if erased. At start up all games are grey, click on them and install again.

Last edited by Kordaz; Jan 2, 2014 @ 3:48pm

Ron ︻气デ一 Jan 2, 2014 @ 4:47pm

think of it like - your games aren't logged into your steam, the purchases are kept on their server. So no matter what you do on your computer, even if it burns in a fire, you can log in from another computer and your purchases will still be there - just download again and install.

SeraphSword Jan 2, 2014 @ 7:29pm

If you go to your user library, in the Application Support/Steam/steamapps/ folder, you'll have all of your application files. If you pull that folder out and put it on your desktop, you should be able to delete and re-install Steam, then just put the folder back. It may have to download some miscellaneous files, but it would definitely save you a lot of time, especially if you have a lot of games.

If you don't know where your library folder is, click on Finder, then at the top of the screen find the "Go" option. From there select "Go to folder..." and enter ~/Library
That's where you'll find the Application Support folder.

Squallken Jan 4, 2014 @ 9:23am

Okay cool, I have not tried this yet, but will keep this option open when the time is dire. The reason I made this post was so I could fix a problem with one of my games. Before you say anything I did make a post on that game forms, but this bore the most fruit.

Now the game in question is "The Walking Dead: Season 1" and its infamous "Rewind Black Screen" issue that forces you to fix it yourself instead of the programmer. I've been looking for ways to fix this, and I found two:

1. use this file one of the programmers gave on they're Telltale games forms and follow the instructions, but my Mac wont let me open it, because its from a "unidentified developer" and I don't know how turn off its security to open it.

2. Possibly uninstall and reinstall Steam, but even that might not work because I deleted that game and reinstalled it and that did not work.

I just want to replay "The Walking Dead" so I can play Season 2.

The other post I made is right here to take this topic to where it should be:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/207610/discussions/0/630800446370474195/

I thank you all for your comments and suggestions for they will be of get help to me. Thank you again.

P.S. If anyone has something to say about said "The Walking Dead" problem I'll still check those post I made for any more suggestions. Thanks again.