Delete Spyware from Steam and clean cache folders

Delete Crashlytics from Valve Corporation and several Third party developers & prevent (hidden) uploading from own personal and system data, clean several cache folders and more. With minimal effort.

» Introduction

SteamCleaner is a lightweight batch script designed to clean up hidden crash handlers, telemetry files, and spyware-related components found in your Steam directory — both from Valve Corporation and third-party vendors like Unity Technologies, Microsoft, Epic Games, Google LLC, Avalanche Studios, and others.

Many of these components collect user data silently through crash reporting tools, often without notice or consent. This script helps users regain control by removing such elements and optionally cleaning various Steam cache folders for improved performance.

» Features

• Automatically terminates Steam if running before cleaning
  
• Removes crash handlers, logs, and telemetry files from Steam and %AppData%
  
• Detects and deletes over 50 known third-party crash components
  
• Clears library, shader, download, and HTML caches (optional)
  
• Deletes leftover modding files such as *.custom.css
  
• Recursively removes empty folders
  
• Creates steam.cfg to block unwanted Steam updates
  
• Checks for admin rights and relaunches with elevation if required

» Installation & Usage Batch

Download:

• Steam Cleaner[github.com] GitHub Repository

How to use

Use the SteamCleaner_en.bat or SteamCleaner_de.bat

Place the related file into your Steam installation directory (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam)

Double-click to execute the script

If Steam is running, it will be shut down automatically. A steam.cfg file will be generated to prevent Steam from restoring deleted files on next launch.

If Steam updates are not blocked (due to removal or absence of the steam.cfg), Steam will automatically redownload some of the previously removed files on the next launch. If you want to update the Steam client, remove the steam.cfg file, let the update run, and then re-run the script afterwards.

» Files and Folders Removed (examples)

From Valve / Steam:

• .crash, logs\, dumps\
  
• crashhandler*.dll, steamerrorreporter*.exe, WriteMiniDump.exe
  
• ThirdPartyLegalNotices.*, secure_desktop_capture.*
  
• steam_monitor.exe, steamsysinfo.exe

From third-party developers:

• CrashUploader.*, CrashReporter.*, CrashSender1403.exe
  
• output_log.txt, UnityCrashHandler32.exe, UnityCrashHandler64.exe
  
• UnrealCEFSubProcess.exe, REDEngineErrorReporter.exe, BugSplatRc.dll

and Folders like:

• %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\CrashDumps\
  
• %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\CEF\User Data\Crashpad\
  
• %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\GameAnalytics\

» Troubleshooting and tips

Some files such as:

• UnityEngine.CrashReportingModule.dll
  
• Unity.MemoryProfiler.dll
  
• UnityEngine.UnityTestProtocolModule.dll

are not removed by default, as they may be required by certain games. You can still test this manually.

As always, there are exceptions: Some games are tightly integrated with their crash handlers and may fail to launch after removal. In such cases, you need to manually repair the affected titles via Title settings in your library → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files.

For some titles, it also works to create an empty 0kb text file with the same name as the crash handler or telemetry files and overwrite them.

» Windows Version with GUI

For those who prefer not to use the command line, a compiled Windows version with a graphical user interface (GUI) is available.

  
This version offers the full feature set of the script – and more – in a user-friendly application:

Features:

• Remove crash and log files
  
• Clean game folders: delete known crash/telemetry components
  
• Remove empty folders
  
• Clear download/depot/shader caches
  
• Clear library cache/appcache
  
• Clear Steam Client HTML cache
  
• Remove modding leftovers in UI
  
• Toggle Steam update control
  
• Safe preview before removal
  
• Automatic Steam shutdown before cleaning
  
• Multilingual support with auto-detection (DE, EN, ES, FR, JA, ZH, RU)
  
• Detect all Steam libraries
  
• Display Steam client version and detected SteamClient API signature
  
• Logged operations in program window including total freed space display
  
• Accessibility: Alt-1 to Alt-6 functions, Alt-0 exit, Alt-R readme, Alt-I info, Enter activates focus button, arrow keys navigation

The tool automatically detects your Steam directory, checks for admin rights, and logs every removed file or folder for transparency.

Perfect for anyone who prefers clicking over typing – without sacrificing functionality.

Note: The GUI version also requires administrator rights, especially if Steam is installed in protected system folders like C:\Program Files (x86).

Version 1.2.3

General:
- Scan and loading times significantly reduced
- Corrections and adjustments for English, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese
- Missing language variables added
- Improved logging output
- High-DPI support
- Application now runs as a single instance only

Accessibility:
- All buttons and the output field are reachable via Tab and show a visible focus frame
- Alt+1–6 launch the main functions; Alt+0 or Alt+X exits the program
- Enter activates the currently focused button; arrow keys control navigation
- Output field can be scrolled via keyboard

Stability:
- Background processes now update the interface only via the main process
- Potential crashes and display errors fixed

Version 1.2.2

- Fixed issue: Deletable files in game directories are now correctly detected
- New feature: Content in the preview window can now be selected individually or entirely and copied via right-click

Version 1.2.1

- Improved window control and accessibility:
- Readme and preview dialogs receive focus on open and close via ESC
- Duplicate window openings are prevented
- Keyboard shortcuts for menu entries:
- Alt+R for "Show Readme"
- Display of shortcuts in the menu text
- Minor corrections in language and window positioning

Version 1.2.0

- New safety preview before each cleanup:
- Lists all affected files/folders in the log view
- Displays total size and number of items
- Confirmation prompt (Yes/No) before actual deletion
- Text optimizations for Russian and Japanese buttons
- Tooltips added to all main buttons

Version 1.1.1 Hotfix

– Desktop shortcut icons are no longer removed

Version 1.1.0

- Buttons arranged in two columns for better clarity and reduced height
- Display of cumulative freed disk space added in a new footer
- Language variables revised and fully internationalized
- Steam version and Steam-API-Version are shown
- Additional languages added: Español, Français, Русский, 中文

Version 1.0.0

- Automatic detection of all Steam libraries
- User interface adapts to system language
- Comprehensive removal of common Steam data leftovers
- Update protection via automatic steam.cfg creation
- Support for multiple library paths
- Wildcard-based file deletion (*.exe, *.dll etc.)
- Clear and user-friendly interface

» Conclusion / Errors / Downloads

Always up-to-date, secure, and free – get both the lightweight batch script and the user-friendly GUI version in one place.

Official Website and contact: https://gameindustry.eu
Download (Batch & GUI Versions): https://gameindustry.eu/downloads/
Batch Script also available on GitHub: https://github.com/KodoPengin/SteamCleaner

or use Steam to contact me
https://steamcommunity.com/id/pen-chan/

[ペンギン]

v1.2.3 released for Windows

[ペンギン]

v1.2.2 released for Windows

[ペンギン]

You're welcome

[Dvindly]

Thank you!

[ペンギン]

- Updated images for the Windows version
- Added version history

A critical line was also removed from the batch script, which (similar to the behavior in the Windows version) was responsible for removing the shortcut icons of installed Steam titles.

[ペンギン]

Guide updated, added information about the Windows version and updated download links.

[ペンギン]

Thanks to both of you.

[Stone]

Nice work!
Your content about spyware and privacy in games is always excellent.

[$|_!D3R]

great work, buddy

[ペンギン]

The script and guide have been updated.