How do you completely uninstall Steam from Windows?

To completely uninstall Steam from Windows, exit Steam, back up any saves or game folders you want to keep, uninstall the client through Windows Settings, then delete its remaining installation, library and AppData folders. Reboot afterwards. This removes the software, but it does not delete your Steam account or cloud data.

This general Windows procedure applies to Steam itself, regardless of which flight simulators or other games are installed through it. Removing every game-related file requires extra checks because libraries, saves and add-on packages can live outside the main Steam folder.

What should you back up before uninstalling Steam?

Back up local saves, screenshots and any game installations you plan to reuse before running the Steam uninstaller. Steam Cloud does not cover every game, and an incomplete or pending cloud sync can leave you without the latest save.

• Installed games: Copy the entire steamapps folder if you want to avoid downloading the games again. Keeping its manifest files as well as steamapps\common gives Steam the best chance of recognising the installations later.
• Steam user data: Copy the userdata folder from the Steam installation directory. It can contain screenshots, controller settings and game-specific local data, but it is not a complete backup of every save.
• Separate save folders: Check Documents, Saved Games and the Local, LocalLow and Roaming AppData folders for the individual games you care about.
• Custom libraries: Before uninstalling, open Steam's Storage settings and note every library location, especially folders on secondary or external drives.

If the objective is a genuinely clean removal rather than a future reinstall, do not restore these folders afterwards.

How do you completely remove Steam from Windows?

A complete removal requires the Windows uninstaller first, followed by a manual check of Steam's folders.

1. Exit Steam fully. Use Steam's Exit command rather than merely closing its window. Open Task Manager and confirm that Steam and its web-helper processes have stopped.
2. Uninstall Steam. In Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Steam and select Uninstall. On Windows 10, use Settings > Apps > Apps & features. Programs and Features in Control Panel is a valid alternative.
3. Remove the installation folder. After the uninstaller finishes, delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam if it remains. Also check C:\Program Files\Steam if Steam was installed there instead.
4. Delete custom Steam libraries. Remove the library folders recorded earlier, commonly named SteamLibrary. Inspect each folder first and never delete an entire drive or a shared folder containing unrelated files.
5. Clear Steam's AppData. Press Windows key and R, enter %LOCALAPPDATA%, and delete the Steam folder if present. Repeat with %APPDATA%. These locations can retain browser cache, interface state and other client data.
6. Remove separate components selectively. Some games install their own launcher or anti-cheat software, which must be uninstalled through Windows separately. Do not remove shared Visual C++ runtimes, DirectX components or controller drivers simply because a Steam game installed them; other simulators may need them.
7. Clean registry entries only if necessary. For a broken installation or stale install path, experienced users can export and then remove Steam-specific keys such as HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Valve\Steam and any Steam key present under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Valve or its WOW6432Node equivalent. Do not delete the whole Valve branch if another Valve product uses it, and avoid automated registry cleaners.
8. Restart Windows. A reboot releases locked files and clears processes or file associations still held in memory. Check the folders again after restarting.

Steam folders and what they contain

Why are Steam games still on Windows?

Games remain because Steam libraries can sit on other drives, while some games install separate launchers, anti-cheat tools and save data. The Steam uninstaller may remove the default library but miss a custom library that was created elsewhere.

Flight simulators need particular care because their large content packages and community add-ons are often stored outside steamapps. The Steam edition of Microsoft Flight Simulator, for example, can leave packages, caches and add-ons behind; use our Microsoft Flight Simulator package and add-on removal procedure if that simulator must also be erased.

If Windows reports that a remaining folder is in use, restart the PC and delete it before launching Steam again. If the Steam uninstall entry is missing or damaged, reinstalling the client into the same location can recreate the uninstaller; then repeat the removal process.

Does uninstalling Steam delete your account or saves?

No. Removing the Steam client does not delete your Steam account, licences, purchases or data already stored in Steam Cloud. It only removes local software and whichever local files are deleted during the process.

Cloud saves can return after a later sign-in and reinstall. Conversely, a game without cloud support may lose its saves if they were stored locally and not backed up. Uninstalling Steam is also not a secure privacy wipe for a PC being sold or transferred; use Windows' reset and drive-cleaning options for that purpose.

Clean reinstall after removal

For a clean reinstall, install a fresh Steam client and do not copy the old AppData, configuration or registry data back. Our Steam installation steps for Windows 11 cover the standard client setup.

If you retained a game library, add its existing location through Steam's Storage settings rather than copying individual game folders at random. Steam may verify the files or download missing components, particularly when manifests or Workshop data were not preserved.