How to Uninstall Steam

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A simple guide to deleting the Steam app in Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu Linux

Co-authored by Scott St Gelais

Last Updated: September 13, 2024

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• Windows 10
|
• Windows 8 and 7
|
• Mac
|
• Ubuntu Linux
|
• Video
|
• Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Steam is a central hub for gaming. It allows you to download games, both free and paid, as well as other gaming-related functions such as live streaming and chatting with friends. If you no longer want the app on your computer, uninstalling it is easy.

How to Delete Steam

• On Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Steam and click "Uninstall."
• On a Mac, drag Steam to the Trash, then delete the Steam library from the "Library/Application Support" folder.
• On Linux, use "apt-get remove steam" and then "sudo apt-get purge steam."

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Windows 10

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1. 1
   Open the Settings app. Click the Start

   

   button and select the settings gear

   

   .
2. 2
   Go to the Apps category.
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3. 3
   Ensure Apps & features is selected to the left pane.
4. 4
   Find and click "Steam" in the apps list.
5. 5
   Click the Uninstall button.
6. 6
   Allow the uninstall process to finish. Confirm any prompts if prompted.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Windows 8 and 7

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1. 1
   Open the Control Panel.

   • Windows 8: Right-click the Start
     
     button and click Control Panel.
   • Windows 7: Click the Start
     
     button and click Control Panel in the right column.
2. 2
   Click "Uninstall a Program" under the "Programs" header. This is towards the bottom-left of the window.
3. 3
   Find and select "Steam" in the apps list.
4. 4
   Click the Uninstall button. It's right above the apps list.
5. 5
   Allow the uninstall process to finish.
6. 6
   Allow the uninstall process to finish. Confirm any prompts if prompted.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Mac

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1. 1
   Open up the Applications list. Open Finder and press ⌘ Command+⇧ Shift+A simultaneously.
2. 2
   Drag Steam to the trash.
3. 3
   Click "Go" from the menu bar.
4. 4
   Hold down the ⌥ Option key (also known as the alt key) until you see the "Library" folder.
5. 5
   Open the folder from the drop-down menu.
6. 6
   Find and navigate to "Library\Application Support\Steam".
7. 7
   Delete Steam data from your computer depending on whether you want to keep your game data or not.

   • If you want to keep your data, delete all files and folders in "\Steam" except the "\SteamApps" folder.
   • If not, simply delete the entire Steam folder.
8. 8
   Empty the trash. Select "Finder" from the top toolbar, then select "Empty Trash". Confirm by clicking OK.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Ubuntu Linux

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1. 1
   Open a "Terminal" window. Press Ctrl+Alt+T simultaneously.
2. 2
   Type sudo apt-get remove steam and hit ↵ Enter.
3. 3
   Type sudo apt-get purge steam and hit ↵ Enter.
4. 4
   Type rm -rf ~/.local/share/Steam && rm -rf ~/.steam and hit ↵ Enter.
5. 5
   Exit the Terminal window.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  I am on Windows 10 and followed the instructions. However, I can't find Steam at all. I used my antivirus to shred it completely, and I think that might be a reason.

  

  Hannah

  Community Answer

  If you shredded it with your antivirus, it's likely already uninstalled. To reinstall it, head to Steam's website (the official link looks like store-steampowered-com/about/) and follow through with the download process.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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