Managing your Steam library can be a straightforward process once you understand the available options to organize or clean up your collection. Whether you want to temporarily hide certain titles or completely remove games from your account, knowing the correct steps ensures a smooth experience. This guide will clarify the differences between hiding and deleting games, and show you how to perform each action efficiently.
The Key Difference Between Hiding and Removing Games
Hiding a game on Steam is a reversible action. When you choose to hide a game, it disappears from your main library view, helping you declutter without losing access. The game remains linked to your account, so you can unhide it later whenever you wish. This feature is useful if you want to temporarily hide games you don’t play regularly or keep private. You can even continue playing hidden titles, as they are still installed on your system.
In contrast, removing a game is a permanent decision. Once you delete a game from your Steam account, it is completely erased from your library. To access it again, you’ll need to repurchase or redeem it, unless you have a backup copy. Historically, removing a game required contacting Steam customer support, but now you can do it directly through the client with just a few clicks. Keep in mind that removing a game does not delete your playtime or achievements; those details remain associated with your profile.
How to Hide a Game in Steam
Hiding a game is a simple process. First, locate the game you want to hide within your library. Right-click on the game, then hover over the “Manage” option in the context menu. From there, select “Hide this game” to remove it from your main library view. The game will then be hidden from your default library interface, helping you organize your collection without any permanent loss.
How to View and Unhide Hidden Games
To access your hidden titles, click the “View” menu located at the top of your Steam window, then select “Hidden Games.” This opens a dedicated list that displays only the titles you’ve chosen to hide. The list appears similar to your regular library but contains only hidden items. To make a game visible again, right-click the game, hover over “Manage,” and select “Remove from Hidden.” The game will then reappear in your main library view, ready for play or further management.
How to Remove a Game From Your Steam Account
Before removing a game, it’s advisable to uninstall it from your computer to free up storage space. If you remove a game directly from your account first, you won’t be able to uninstall it normally through your system; you’ll need to locate the game files manually and delete them. To permanently delete a game, open the Steam client, go to “Help” and choose “Steam Support.” Find the game you wish to delete—recently played titles are listed at the top, or you can search by name.
Click on the game, then select “I want to permanently remove this game from my account.” If you purchased the game within the last two weeks and have played less than two hours, you are eligible for a refund from this page. Steam will provide detailed instructions and information about the removal process. If the game was part of a bundle, related games included in the bundle will also be removed.
Once confirmed, click “OK, remove the listed games from my account permanently.” Keep in mind, this action does not erase your play history or achievements; these will stay linked to your profile. If you decide to play the game again later, you’ll need to buy it anew or use a key from a sale, such as an affordable game dev tycoon PC key for sale.
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Managing your library efficiently helps keep your gaming experience enjoyable and organized. Whether hiding titles temporarily or removing games permanently, these steps allow you to tailor your Steam collection to suit your preferences.