How to Completely Erase Game Data on Steam: A Step-by-Step Guide

Steam, a popular gaming platform, allows users to store and manage their game data, including save files, configurations, and other relevant information. However, there may be instances where users want to completely erase game data on Steam, either to free up storage space, resolve issues, or simply start fresh. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to completely erase game data on Steam, while also discussing the importance of backing up data and potential implications of deleting game data.

Understanding Steam Game Data

Before we dive into the process of erasing game data, it’s essential to understand what constitutes game data on Steam. Game data includes:

• Save files: These are files that store your progress, settings, and other relevant information for a particular game.
• Configurations: These are files that store your game settings, such as graphics quality, sound settings, and controller configurations.
• Cloud saves: Some games use Steam’s cloud save feature to store your save files online, allowing you to access them from any device.
• Local files: These are files that are stored locally on your computer, including game installations, updates, and other relevant data.

Why Erase Game Data on Steam?

There are several reasons why you might want to erase game data on Steam:

• Free up storage space: Games can take up a significant amount of storage space, and erasing game data can help free up space for other games or applications.
• Resolve issues: Corrupted game data can cause issues with game performance or stability. Erasing game data can help resolve these issues.
• Start fresh: If you’re starting a new game or want to try a different approach, erasing game data can give you a clean slate.

Backing Up Game Data

Before you erase game data, it’s crucial to back up your data to prevent loss of progress or settings. Here are the steps to back up your game data:

Backup Save Files

To back up your save files, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Right-click on the game you want to back up and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click on “Browse Local Files” to open the game’s file directory.
5. Locate the save files, which are usually stored in a folder named “save” or “saves.”
6. Copy the save files to a separate location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

Backup Configurations

To back up your game configurations, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Right-click on the game you want to back up and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click on “Browse Local Files” to open the game’s file directory.
5. Locate the configuration files, which are usually stored in a folder named “config” or “settings.”
6. Copy the configuration files to a separate location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

Erasing Game Data on Steam

Now that you’ve backed up your game data, you can proceed to erase it. Here are the steps to erase game data on Steam:

Delete Game Data through Steam

To delete game data through Steam, follow these steps:

1. Open Steam and go to the “Library” tab.
2. Right-click on the game you want to delete data for and select “Properties.”
3. Click on the “Local Files” tab.
4. Click on “Delete Local Game Data.”
5. Confirm that you want to delete the game data.

Delete Game Data Manually

Alternatively, you can delete game data manually by following these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the game’s installation directory.
2. Locate the game data folders, which are usually stored in a folder named “save” or “saves.”
3. Delete the game data folders.

Implications of Deleting Game Data

Deleting game data can have several implications:

• Loss of progress: Deleting save files can result in loss of progress, so make sure to back them up before erasing them.
• Loss of settings: Deleting configuration files can result in loss of custom settings, so make sure to back them up before erasing them.
• Game performance: Deleting game data can improve game performance or resolve issues, but it can also cause problems if not done correctly.

In conclusion, erasing game data on Steam can be a straightforward process if done correctly. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can completely erase game data on Steam, while also ensuring that your data is backed up and easily recoverable.