Uninstalling games you no longer play on your Windows 10 device is a great way to free up storage space. The Microsoft Store makes it easy to uninstall games you’ve downloaded, whether they are Microsoft published titles or third-party games.
Conclusion
Uninstalling games from the Microsoft Store is a straightforward process. By right-clicking on a game tile or using the context menu, you can select Uninstall to remove the game and free up space. You can also manage and uninstall your games from the My Library section of the Microsoft Store app. Both methods will completely uninstall the game and remove all associated files from your PC.
Uninstalling games can help improve your device’s performance by freeing up valuable storage space, especially for lower storage devices like tablets or laptops. It also removes unused game files from your system and can resolve issues caused by corrupted files. Overall, properly uninstalling games you no longer play is a great device maintenance habit.
Steps to Uninstall Microsoft Store Games
Here are the detailed steps to uninstall games from the Microsoft Store:
Uninstall from the Start Menu
1. Open the Start Menu and locate the game tile you want to uninstall.
2. Right-click on the game’s tile and select Uninstall from the context menu.
3. A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm uninstalling the game. Click Uninstall to confirm.
4. Wait for the uninstall process to finish. The game tile will be removed from the Start Menu.
Uninstall from the Microsoft Store App
1. Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 10 device.
2. Click on the ??? icon in the upper-right and select My Library.
3. In My Library, scroll through your installed games and locate the game you want to uninstall.
4. Right-click on the game and select Uninstall from the context menu.
5. Alternatively, click on the game listing and then select Uninstall from the menu that appears.
6. A pop-up will ask you to confirm uninstalling the game. Click Uninstall to confirm.
7. Wait for the uninstall process to complete. The game will be removed from your Microsoft Store library.
Uninstall Using Settings
You can also uninstall Microsoft Store apps and games through the Apps section of the Settings app:
1. Open Settings and go to Apps > Apps & features.
2. Scroll down and click on the game you want to uninstall under Apps & features.
3. Click Uninstall and confirm you want to uninstall the game from the pop-up prompt.
4. The uninstall process will run and the game will be removed once completed.
Use Powershell to Uninstall
For those comfortable with the command line, you can uninstall Microsoft Store games and apps using Powershell:
1. Open Powershell on your Windows 10 device.
2. Type the following command to list installed Store packages:
Get-AppxPackage
3. Locate the PackageFullName for the game you want to uninstall.
4. Type the command below to uninstall the package, replacing
Get-AppxPackage
5. The game will be uninstalled after running the Remove-AppxPackage command.
Uninstalling From Other Locations
In addition to the Microsoft Store app, check these locations to uninstall games completely:
– **Settings > System > Storage** – Check here for game files stored in the WindowsApps folder on your system drive. You can select and delete these folders to remove leftover installation files.
– **Program Files/Program Files (x86)** – Uninstallers for third-party games may leave leftovers here. You can manually delete any remaining game folders.
– **Your User Profile** – Saved games, configuration files, and other data may remain in your user account’s AppData or Documents folders. Delete associated folders for your uninstalled games.
– **External Drives** – If you installed games on an external drive, be sure to delete any remaining game folders on the drive after uninstalling.
Benefits of Uninstalling Microsoft Store Games
Here are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy after uninstalling unused Microsoft Store games:
– **Frees up storage space** – Uninstalling unused games can recover gigabytes of storage space on your device. This is especially helpful if you have a device with lower internal storage.
– **Removes clutter** – Your Start Menu and Microsoft Store library will be cleaner and more organized without old or unused games installed.
– **Fixes issues** – Occasionally, uninstalling and reinstalling games can resolve corruption, crashing or bug issues. Uninstalling completely resets the game.
– **Quick access to played games** – With only your active and played games installed, it’s easier to find and open your favorites.
– **Improves performance** – Removing unused games means less strain on your hardware resources and storage when booting and running other apps.
Important Uninstall Considerations
When uninstalling Microsoft Store games, keep these important considerations in mind:
– Uninstalling will delete your save games, progress, and settings associated with the game. Be sure to back up any save game data you want to keep before uninstalling.
– Multiplayer and online-only games may have an uninstaller that only removes the core game files. User data and registry keys may remain.
– Updates for games you keep installed will be larger if you uninstall instead of simply removing games from your library. Uninstalling deletes all files.
– Don’t uninstall when an application has an open handle on a game’s files. Close the game fully before attempting to uninstall.
– Games with anti-cheat software may require a specialized uninstaller provided by the developer or publisher.
– Some games require logging into the developer’s platform even when uninstalling. Have your account login credentials available if prompted.
Uninstalling Xbox Game Pass Titles
Uninstalling Xbox Game Pass titles works the same as owned games:
– Game Pass games can be uninstalled through the Microsoft Store or the Xbox apps.
– You must have an active Game Pass subscription to reinstall and play Game Pass titles.
– Canceling your Game Pass subscription blocks access to those games but does not automatically uninstall them.
– Cloud-based Xbox Game Pass games do not take up storage space and do not need to be uninstalled.
Fixing a Failed Uninstall
If a game fails to uninstall properly, try these troubleshooting steps:
– Restart your device and attempt to uninstall again. This can clear any locks or handles preventing files from being deleted.
– Use the Powershell Get-AppxPackage and Remove-AppxPackage commands to forcibly uninstall the package.
– Delete any leftover files related to the game still on your system. Check the WindowsApps folder, Program Files, and your user profile folders.
– Use the wsreset.exe command to reset the Microsoft Store and then attempt uninstall again.
– Perform a Start Menu folder repair with the sfc /scannow command. Uninstall again after.
– As a last resort, perform a Reset of Windows while keeping files to clean uninstall any leftover corrupted files.
Alternative Ways to Free Up Space from Games
If you don’t want to fully uninstall your Microsoft Store games, consider these alternatives for recovering storage space:
– Use the Storage Sense feature to automatically delete unused game files that have been dormant for long periods of time.
– Remove languages and packages from installed games that you are not using. This can recover several GBs.
– Move games to a separate external drive. The Microsoft Store will keep them updated but not use space on your system drive.
– Delete old Windows build backups if enabled. These can quickly consume over 20GB of space.
– Utilize compression or compact OS tools like CompactGUI to compress preinstalled Windows files.
– Clean up unnecessary Windows Updates installer files through the Disk Cleanup utility.
How to Reinstall Uninstalled Microsoft Store Games
If you change your mind later and want to play an uninstalled Microsoft Store game again, follow these steps:
1. Open the Microsoft Store app and go to My Library.
2. Find the game you want to reinstall and click on it.
3. The game page will now have an Install button instead of Launch and Uninstall. Click Install.
4. The Microsoft Store will download and reinstall the game just as when you originally installed it.
5. Once completed, you can launch and play the game again from your Start Menu as normal.
6. If reinstalling a purchased game, you may need to sign in again with the account you bought it with if not already logged in.
After reinstalling an uninstalled game, your save games and progress will be lost unless you manually backed up the data before uninstalling. You’ll have to start the reinstalled game over from the beginning.
Uninstalling Games from Other PC Game Stores
The general process for uninstalling games from Microsoft Store also applies to other digital PC game storefronts like these:
Steam
– Uninstall games from your Steam Library’s game list by right-clicking and selecting Uninstall.
– For more detailed uninstall options, right-click a game and go to Properties > Local Files > Uninstall.
Epic Games Store
– Open the Epic Games launcher and go to your Library. Click the three dots by a game and choose Uninstall.
– Some games allow you to uninstall DLC packs separately.
GOG
– Open your GOG Galaxy library, select a game, and click More > Uninstall.
– You can also navigate to your local GOG games folder, right-click on a game and select Uninstall.
Battle.net
– Open the Battle.net app, click a game, and select Uninstall from the left sidebar.
– Like Steam, Battle.net has detailed uninstall options available.
Origin
– In the Origin app, go to My Game Library, right-click on a game, and select Uninstall.
– The uninstall options are straightforward with minimal prompts.
Conclusion
Uninstalling games from the Microsoft Store or any other PC game platform is an easy process that can free up significant storage space and keep your system lean. Just remember to backup any save games and be sure to close the game fully before uninstalling. Reinstalling uninstalled games is quick as well if you decide to play again later. Following the steps outlined, you’ll have an easy, clutter-free game uninstall and reinstall experience on your Windows 10 system.
