How do I completely uninstall DCS World?

To completely uninstall DCS World, remove it through Steam or the Eagle Dynamics/Windows uninstaller, then delete the leftover installation directory and every DCS profile under Saved Games. Back up controls and missions first. The normal uninstaller can leave settings, mods, shader caches and third-party files behind.

What should I back up before uninstalling DCS World?

Back up the DCS World folders containing anything you want to keep before running the uninstaller. The main user profile is normally %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS, although older installations may use DCS.openbeta and customised shortcuts can specify another write-folder.

• Config\Input contains joystick, throttle, keyboard and other control bindings.
• Missions, Tracks and ScreenShots contain personal content that the uninstaller does not protect.
• Mission Editor and logbook data can include pilot records and campaign progress.
• Mods, Liveries, Kneeboard and Scripts may contain manually installed additions.

Copy the entire profile somewhere outside Saved Games if you are unsure. For a genuinely clean reinstall, restore only the controls, missions and other known-good files you need; copying the complete old profile back can also restore the fault you were trying to remove. Our map of the DCS mod folders helps distinguish user-profile mods from files installed directly into the simulator.

How to remove DCS World completely

Each installed DCS World edition must be uninstalled through the service or uninstaller that manages it, followed by a manual check for residual files.

Those are common locations, not guarantees. DCS can be installed on another drive, and old release, Open Beta or dedicated-server installations may have separate directories.

1. Find every DCS installation. Record each installation path before removing anything. Steam and standalone copies can coexist, so check all Steam libraries and Windows' installed-app list. If you are unsure which build you have, see the practical differences between Steam and standalone DCS.
2. Close DCS and its supporting processes. Exit the simulator, Steam where applicable, the DCS updater and any active mod manager. Let an update finish or cancel it before uninstalling.
3. Run the proper uninstaller. For standalone DCS, use its Windows installed-app entry or supplied uninstall shortcut. For Steam, use Steam's Uninstall command. Remove each separate DCS or dedicated-server installation individually. Do not delete the core directory first, because that can leave a broken uninstall entry behind.
4. Delete the residual core folder. After the uninstaller finishes, inspect the recorded installation path and delete any remaining DCS World directory. Modified textures, ReShade files, manually installed mods and other unrecognised additions can survive because the uninstaller did not create them. Do not delete an entire Steam library or a parent Eagle Dynamics folder containing another installation.
5. Remove the Saved Games profiles. Delete or move %USERPROFILE%\Saved Games\DCS, historical folders such as DCS.openbeta, and any DCS write-folder you deliberately created with the -w launch option. This removes settings, bindings, logs, shader caches such as fxo and metashaders2, missions and user-installed mods. Use the actual Windows Saved Games location if you previously moved it.
6. Remove externally stored content. A mod manager's repository, downloaded module installers, mission archives and backups can sit outside both DCS folders. Delete those separately only if you no longer want them.
7. Clear locked leftovers. If Windows says a DCS file is in use, restart the computer and delete the residual folder before launching Steam or an updater again. Empty the Recycle Bin once you are certain the backup contains everything required.

Registry editing is not required for a clean DCS reinstall, and we do not recommend registry-cleaning utilities. The core installation folders and DCS profiles under Saved Games contain the files that normally affect a later installation.

Why is DCS World still on my PC after uninstalling it?

DCS World usually appears to remain because a second edition, an old Open Beta directory or the Saved Games profile was not removed.

• If the programme is gone but settings and keybindings return after reinstalling, the old Saved Games\DCS profile is still present.
• If several gigabytes remain, inspect every Steam library and any custom standalone installation path.
• If only a few files remain in the core folder, they are commonly third-party mods, ReShade components or files changed outside the official installer.
• If Windows retains a DCS uninstall entry after the core folder was deleted manually, reinstall the same edition to the same path and run its proper uninstaller. This is safer than manually removing registry entries.

Does uninstalling DCS World remove purchased modules?

Uninstalling DCS World deletes locally installed module files but does not remove account-bound purchases from your DCS or Steam account. They can be downloaded again after reinstalling the appropriate edition and signing into the correct account.

Deleting Saved Games can remove local campaign progress, logbook data and control profiles, which is why those files need a backup. Account-bound modules do not normally require deactivation; an old serial-key module may have its own legacy activation rules.

Should I repair DCS World instead of uninstalling it?

Use a repair when official files are missing or damaged; use a clean profile or full uninstall when settings, caches, mods or third-party files are causing the problem. Our instructions for repairing or verifying the official DCS files avoid an unnecessary full download.

For control, interface or shader problems, first rename the relevant Saved Games profile and launch DCS so it creates a fresh one. After a full reinstall, test an unmodified mission before restoring anything, then return controls and personal missions first and mods last. If the fault reappears after one category is restored, that category contains the likely cause.