There is an extreme probability that you use Steam if you play video games on a PC. Most users don’t have enough space on their hard discs to fit every game they possess because many games need more and more storage space for their HD graphics and uncompressed audio tracks. Any game you’ve purchased on Steam can be uninstalled and re-installed whenever you choose. So, if you are looking for a way to re-install steam without deleting games then This article will walk you through the process with simple guides.
Answer: There are numerous ways to save your game or backup your games on Steam before you uninstall and re-install Steam on your device so you can re-install Steam without deleting them. Therefore, the best course of action is to make a backup of your game data and Steam software files before you uninstall and re-install it. There’s no need for you to re-download the game if you follow the below instructions.
Don’t worry if you don’t know how to backup games or save the Steam games on your computer or laptop; we’ll explain how to do it in today’s post, “How Do I Re-install Steam Without Deleting Games?” Stay with us to read the complete article that is listed below. Fortunately, we’ll show you how to reload Steam without deleting your games.
Will My Saved Games Be Lost If I Re-install Steam?
Your saved games will be lost if you re-install Steam on your computer or laptop. All of your matches will be erased and reset to the beginning if you haven’t made a backup of them before uninstalling and re-installing the Steam program on your device.
You may be able to locate certain games on your Steam account by looking through the Steam files and folder. To protect your game on the Steam platform, you can store and backup all of the games, associated files, and directories.
You can restore your games on the Steam program if you have a backup. You can easily copy the backup files and paste them into the re-installed Steam files and folder to load your previous games, even if they are removed during the reinstallation of Steam.
How To Uninstall and Re-install Steam?
First, remember that removing Steam also deletes your saved games and data. You can follow the below steps if you’re merely uninstalling Steam to troubleshoot issues and other issues with your gaming experience.
To uninstall and re-install Steam from your device, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open The Search Section
Open the search bar by clicking on the search icon on your screen’s taskbar.
Step 2: Search For Steam
Search for steam application in the search section.
Step 3: Click On Uninstall
After you have searched for Steam, click on the uninstall option that will be available on the pop-up menu after you search for Steam.
Step 4: Search For Steam
You will be directed to the control panel window inside programs and features, where all the programs installed on your device are listed. Search for Steam among them.
Step 5: Click On Steam
After you have located Steam, click on it. After you have clicked on it, right-click on it again.
Step 6: Click On Uninstall
After you have right-clicked on Steam, a small pop-up window will appear with an uninstall option.
Step 7: Confirm Your Decision
Confirm your decision to uninstall the steam app, and the steam application will be fully uninstalled.
Step 8: Restart Your Device
After the uninstallation process is completed, restart your device once.
Step 9: Open Steam Setup
Find your downloaded steam setup on your device to continue the installation process.
Step 10: Install The Steam Application
After you have found the setup, please open it and begin your installation process of Steam.
Following the above steps, you can uninstall and re-install Steam on your device. This process can solve many steam problems. Also, please download and install the latest version of Steam to solve the issues you are having while playing games.
How Do I Backup Steam Games?
So, before uninstalling Steam, you have an option to backup all your games in the steam cloud storage. Follow the below steps to backup your steam games so you can save them for later when you re-install the steam application.
Step 1: Open The Steam Application
To start, open the steam app firstly on your device.
Step 2: Click On The Steam Button
Then click on the steam button on the top-left corner of the window.
Step 3: Select Backup and Restore Games
Select “Backup and Restore Games” from the drop-down menu and click the “Backup” checkbox.
Step 4: Select The Preferred File Destination
You can choose which games to back up on Steam and where to store the backups. Although Steam provides a way to divide it into smaller file sizes to fit onto CDs or DVDs, I recommend using an external hard drive.
So that is how you can back up your games on your steam application.
How Do I Re-install Steam Without Deleting Games?
So, as you know, if you remove Steam directly, you will lose access to all of your games. The methods and steps to re-install Steam without deleting any games from your device are listed below.
- Restore Backup Games After Re-installing The Steam
- Make A Copy Of The SteamApps Folder & Files
Restore Backup Games After Re-installing The Steam
After choosing all the games you wish to restore on Steam and successfully creating a backup on the selected file folder, as mentioned above, you can re-install the Steam application without wiping away game data and information.
After re-installing Steam, follow the steps below to get all the games back on your account.
Step 1: Open The Steam Application
After you have successfully re-installed the steam application, open the app.
Step 2: Click On Steam Icon
Now click on the Steam icon in the top-left corner of your screen.
Step 3: Choose Backup And Restore Games
Then select the Backup and Restore Games option.
Step 4: Click On The Radio Button
To restore all your previous backups, click on the radio button available.
Step 5: Click On Next Button
After you have clicked the radio button, click on the next one.
Step 6: Follow The On-screen Instructions
Then, to restore the Steam backup games, follow the on-screen directions the steam app will provide.
These steps are followed after re-installing the Steam program to restore and recover your Steam games.
Make A Copy Of The SteamApps Folder & Files
You can save your games on Steam without deleting them before uninstalling the steam software by making a backup copy of the SteamApps folder and files.
So, before you re-install the Steam software on your device, follow the below instructions to create a copy of the SteamApps Folders and Files.
Step 1: Go To The Steam Folder
Go to the Steam folder on your device first.
Step 2: Copy The Folder
Now, copy the folder to “C: Program FilesSteamSteamApps” on your device afterward.
Step 3: Paste The Copied Folder
After that, paste the copied folder into a secure location on your device.
Step 4: Uninstall Steam Software
Uninstall the steam account by following the steps that I have mentioned above.
Step 5: Re-install The Steam Application
Now, after you have uninstalled the steam application, re-install the steam application on your device.
Step 6: Go To The Same Path As Above
After successfully installing Steam on your device, move on to the following path: “C: Program FilesSteamSteamApps.”
Step 7: Paste The Copied Files
Paste the previously copied files into the folder after that.
Step 8: Open The Steam Application
Finally, open the steam application to play the saved games.
These steps are to copy the SteamApps folder and file on the device and restore your games to your Steam account after re-installing the Steam software.
How To Re-install Steam Without Losing Games On Mac?
Now, for Mac users, follow the below steps to re-install Steam without losing games on MAC.
Step 1: Open Steam App
Open the steam application on your MAC device.
Step 2: Create A Backup
Create a game backup by opening Steam by clicking on the steam icon on the home page at the top-left corner.
Step 3: Go To The Finder
Go to the Finder now and look for applications.
Step 4: Find The Steam App
Find the steam app on the Finder.
Step 5: Move To The Bin
Now select “Move to Bin” by tapping the right mouse button.
Step 6: Delete The Leftover Files And Folder
After that, remove all leftover files and folders from the Steam app.
Step 7: Go To The Folder
Now, go to the folder from the Finder.
Step 8: Enter Library/Application Support
Enter Library/Application Support after that.
Step 9: Remove Steam And Send It To Bin
Remove Steam from Go to Folder and send it to the bin.
Step 10: Empty The Trash
Lastly, remove all of the trash from your MAC.
Step 11: Re-install The Steam Software
At last, re-install the steam application on your MAC device.
So, these are the steps to re-install Steam on your MAC without deleting your games.
How To Uninstall Games Only On Steam?
If you are willing to delete the games only but not the steam application then I am here to guide you. There are basically three ways how you can uninstall steam games from your device. The methods are listed below.
- Method 1: Uninstalling The Steam Games Through Steam Application
- Method 2: Uninstalling The Steam Games Through Windows
- Method 3: Uninstalling The Steam Games Manually
The methods mentioned above are discussed in a detailed way below in this article. Keep reading to know the step-to-step guide.
Method 1: Uninstalling The Steam Games Through Steam Application
To uninstall the steam games through the steam application follow the below steps.
Step 1: Open The Steam Application
Firstly, open the steam application on the device that you are using
Step 2: Click On The Library
Then click on the library icon located at the top left section of your screen
Step 3: Select The Game
Select the game that you want to uninstall and then right-click on it
Step 4: Select Manage
From the drop-down menu that pops after clicking on the library icon, select the manage option
Step 5: Click On Uninstall
From the second drop-down menu after clicking on manage, you will see the uninstall option. Click on it.
Step 6: Confirm Your Decision
You will see a window asking you to confirm the process. Click Uninstall one more time.
So by following the above steps you will be able to uninstall the game that you wish to from the steam application.
Method 2: Uninstalling The Steam Games Through Windows
If you are willing to uninstall the steam games directly from your windows then follow the simple steps below.
Step 1: Open Your Control Panel
You can get access to the control panel tab by searching it on the windows search icon available in your taskbar. Simply type in “Control Panel” on the search section
Step 2: Click On Uninstall A Program
Under the programs, select the Uninstall a program option on the blue text.
Step 3: Search For The Game
A list of all the applications and programs that are installed on your device will appear there. Among the list search for the game that you wish to uninstall.
Step 4: Right-click On The Game
After locating the game in the list, right-click on the game
Step 5: Click On Uninstall
A small pop-up screen will appear with an uninstall option. Click on that.
Step 6: Confirm Your Decision
You’ll be taken directly to the Steam interface by the system. In the confirmation window, you need to click on the Uninstall button.
You will be able to uninstall the steam application through windows by following the steps above.
Method 3: Uninstalling The Steam Games Manually
If you are willing to uninstall the steam games manually then follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open My Computer
Click On the “This PC” icon available on the home screen of your computer
Step 2: Go To “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam”
Then g to the following path “C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam” to get to the steam folder.
Step 3: Click On Steamapps
After going to the path mentioned above, click on the steamapps folder available there.
Step 4: Select Common Folder
After getting inside the steamapps folder you will see the common folder. Click on it.
Step 5: Search The Game Folder
Locate the game’s folder by searching for the name.
Step 6: Delete The Folder
After you have located the folder, delete the folder.
Step 7: Confirm Your Decision
A window will appear asking you to confirm the action. Press delete once more.
Note: Whatever method you decide to use to uninstall a game, it doesn’t matter. Do not be concerned if you continue to see it in your Steam Library; it will still be there.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions related to ‘Re-install Steam Without Deleting Games’ taken from the internet. Have a look below.
Can A Steam Game Be Re-installed Without Downloading It Again?
The easiest method is to use Windows Explorer to copy your Steam or SteamApps folder (where your games are located) to a backup directory. The Steam client also offers an integrated backup and recovery system that allows you to choose installed games and store them as backup files.
What Happens If You Uninstall Steam But Not The Games?
All of your games will still be linked to your account id even if you uninstall Steam. You can re-download them by just installing Steam on a different computer. Remember that the game files on your computer will also be removed from Steam if you uninstall it.
What Happens If You Clear The Steam Download Cache?
Clearing the Steam Download Cache will resolve many issues affecting your Steam client or games. Although it’s not a perfect solution for everything, it’s a decent place to start if you’re having issues. You will need to download them again because this will erase any local game files you have.
Is Steam Down Toady?
Right now, Steam is functioning perfectly. But Steam frequently performs server maintenance every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. Pacific Time. Depending on the task, the total maintenance time may be up to 45 minutes. Other factors, such as your internet connection, device storage, windows firewall blocking, and many others, may exist even if the server is running.
Why Is Steam Deleting My Games?
Users have noticed that the games they have already downloaded and installed need more downloads. When Steam cannot recognize the installation files, games could appear to have been deleted. Any attempt to launch a game will start a download as long as the game folders are still in the proper spot.
Conclusion
Within the Steam platform, features are available for backing up and restoring games. If you wish to re-install Steam without erasing your games from your account, make a backup before removing the Steam software from your device.
As shown in this article, numerous ways to make a backup of the game are effortless and valuable. I hope this article was helpful enough to solve your problems.
Also, read our Steam Guides for helpful guides on the Steam application, its features, and the games.
