To uninstall a game on Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the game in the list, and select Uninstall. If the game came from a launcher such as Steam or the Epic Games Launcher, uninstall it from inside that launcher instead, so the launcher’s own records stay correct.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on October 7, 2026.
Before you uninstall a game
Uninstalling removes the game’s program files, which is what frees up space. It does not remove the game from your account. A few minutes of preparation prevents the two most common regrets: lost progress and a failed uninstall.
- Check your saved progress. Every game and launcher handles saves differently. Some keep them online with your account, and some keep them only on your PC. If you may play again, open the game or its launcher first and confirm that your progress is synced, or copy the game’s save folder to another drive.
- Close the game and its launcher. Windows cannot remove files that are still in use. Exit the game, then try the uninstall.
- Know where the game came from. A game you installed from a launcher is best removed in that launcher. A game from Microsoft Store, a disc, or a publisher’s own installer is removed through Windows. On a Windows 11 PC, see how to uninstall a Microsoft Store game in Windows 11.
- Use an administrator account if you can. Windows may ask for permission before a game’s uninstaller runs, and an administrator has to approve that request.
Which method to use
| Where the game came from | Best way to remove it |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Store | Apps & features in Settings, or the Start menu |
| A disc or a publisher’s own installer | Apps & features, or Programs and Features in Control Panel |
| Epic Games Launcher | The launcher’s Library |
| Steam or another launcher | The launcher’s own uninstall option for that game |
Uninstall a game from Windows 10 Settings
This is the main method for games that Windows lists as installed apps.
- Select Start, then select Settings. The Settings window opens.
- Select Apps. Windows opens the Apps & features page, which lists everything installed on the PC.
- Find the game in the list. Scroll to it, or type part of its name in the search box above the list.
- Select the game. Its row expands and shows an Uninstall button.
- Select Uninstall, and confirm if Windows asks you to.
- Follow any directions the game’s own uninstaller shows. Some games open a separate removal window, and some ask whether to keep your saved data. Read that question carefully before you answer.
A faster way to reach the same page is to type Add or remove programs in the search box on the taskbar and select it from the results.
The same steps remove any other software. For the general version, see how to uninstall programs on Windows 10. Microsoft documents these methods in Uninstall or remove apps and programs in Windows.
If you can see the game in the Start menu, you can remove it from there without opening Settings.
- Select Start and find the game in the list of apps.
- Right-click the game. On a touchscreen, press and hold it. A short menu appears.
- Select Uninstall, then follow the directions on the screen.
If the menu has no Uninstall item, the entry is probably a shortcut that a launcher created. Remove that game in its launcher instead.
Uninstall a game from Control Panel
Microsoft notes that some apps can’t be uninstalled from the Settings app. Older games, especially ones installed from a disc, are the usual examples. Use Control Panel for those.
- In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel and select it from the results.
- Select Programs > Programs and Features. A list of installed desktop programs appears.
- Right-click the game and select Uninstall or Uninstall/Change.
- Follow the directions on the screen until the uninstaller finishes.
If the game is not in this list either, go back to Settings or the Start menu, or check the launcher you installed it with.
Uninstall a game from its launcher
Launchers keep their own record of what is installed. When you remove a game inside the launcher, that record and the files on your drive stay in step, and the game remains in your library so you can download it again later.
Epic Games Launcher
- Start the Epic Games Launcher.
- Select Library in the left column.
- Find the game you want to remove.
- Select the three dots next to the game’s title.
- Select Uninstall.
- Select Uninstall again in the pop-up window, then wait for the launcher to finish.
These steps come from Epic’s support article How do I uninstall a game in the Epic Games Launcher?
Steam and other launchers
Steam, the Xbox app, the EA app, Ubisoft Connect and similar launchers each have an uninstall option for every installed game. Open the launcher, go to your list of installed games, open the menu or settings for the game you no longer want, and choose the option to uninstall it. The game stays in your account’s library afterward.
Removing one game is very different from removing the launcher. Uninstalling a launcher can delete every game installed through it. Epic warns that removing its launcher removes all of your installed games. If you are thinking about removing Steam itself, read how to uninstall Steam on Windows 10 first, because it explains how to keep your games.
Confirm the game is gone and the space is back
- Go back to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and search for the game’s name. It should no longer be listed.
- Open the launcher, if you used one. The game should be shown as available to install, not as installed.
- Open File Explorer and compare the drive’s free space with what it was before. A large game should return a clearly visible amount.
If the free space has barely changed, restart the PC and look again. Leftover items such as saved games, screenshots, recordings and mods are often stored outside the game’s main folder, and an uninstaller usually leaves them alone on purpose. Delete a leftover folder only when you are sure it belongs to the game you removed and you no longer need what is inside it. For more ways to recover storage, see how to free up space in Windows 10 safely.
How to get the game back
Uninstalling is not permanent. To undo it, install the game again from the place you got it: your library in the launcher, Microsoft Store, or the original disc or installer. A game you bought stays attached to your account, so you do not pay again. What might not come back is your progress, which is why checking your saves before you uninstall matters. The steps for a fresh install are in how to download games on a Windows 10 PC.
Troubleshooting
The game is not in Apps & features
Check Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, then check the launcher you installed the game with. Launcher games are sometimes listed only inside the launcher.
The Uninstall button is greyed out
Microsoft says some apps and programs are built into Windows and can’t be uninstalled. That can include games and gaming apps that came with the PC. On a work or school computer, your organization may also block removing software. In that case, ask your IT administrator.
The uninstall fails or stops partway
Work through Microsoft’s suggestions in this order:
- Restart the PC with Start > Power > Restart, then try the uninstall again. A restart closes any part of the game that was still running.
- Repair the game, then uninstall it. Microsoft’s guidance is to select the app in Settings, select Advanced options, and select Repair. If the problem continues, select Reset. Not every game offers these options.
- If you still cannot remove it, contact the game’s publisher for support.
The full list is in Microsoft’s article Fix problems that block programs from being installed or removed.
Nothing happens when you select Uninstall in the Epic Games Launcher
Epic says a game with a paused update can’t be uninstalled until that update is canceled. Open the Download Manager in the lower-left corner of the launcher, cancel the paused update for that game, and then uninstall it again. See Epic’s article Unable to uninstall a title from the Epic Games Launcher.
You deleted the game’s folder and the launcher still shows it as installed
Deleting a game’s folder by hand removes the files but not the launcher’s record of them. Epic advises uninstalling through the launcher instead of deleting the files manually. If the folder is already gone, use the launcher’s uninstall option for that game so its record is cleared.
You think the “game” is unwanted or harmful software
If something you did not install appears in the list and refuses to go away, Microsoft recommends running a scan with Windows Security first and removing the app only after any threats are cleaned.
Frequently asked questions
Does uninstalling a game delete my saved progress?
It depends on the game. Progress that is synced to your account online is not affected. Progress stored only on your PC may be kept or removed by the uninstaller. Check inside the game or launcher before you uninstall, and back up local saves if you are not sure.
Do I have to buy the game again if I reinstall it?
No. A purchase belongs to your account with the store or launcher. Sign in with the same account and download the game again.
Can I just delete the game’s folder?
It is better not to. Windows and the launcher will still list the game as installed, and its entries stay behind. Use Uninstall in Settings, Control Panel, or the launcher.
Why can’t I uninstall a game that came with Windows?
Some apps are built into Windows and can’t be uninstalled. If the Uninstall button is unavailable for a game that came with your PC, that is the reason.
Are these steps the same on Windows 11?
Almost. In Windows 11, the list is at Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and you select More > Uninstall next to the game. The Start menu and Control Panel methods work the same way.
Is Windows 10 still supported?
Microsoft’s lifecycle page for Windows 10 says support ended on October 14, 2025. The uninstall steps in this article still work on existing Windows 10 PCs.
Once the game is removed, restart the PC and check the drive’s free space. If you are clearing room for something new, uninstall your largest unused games first.
Related: how to download GTA Vice City on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.