I need to delete and redownload a game on steam, but I'm scared it'll delete my save file
I need to redownload Skyrim, but
- I'm to sure how to delete is and
- I don't want it to delete my save files!
How do I this?
Best Answer
First of all, you can backup your game files by following the instructions here.
Then you can right click on Skyrim in the Steam library window, right click and there should be an option to uninstall the game, otherwise known as "Delete Local Content".
Once it is uninstalled you can go ahead and re-install it, then follow the instructions above to take the backup of the save for Skyrim back into your Skyrim game folder. To add your save in, just put the save file you backed up and replace it in the same folder directory as the default one is.
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How do I uninstall a Steam game but keep my saves?
To do so:Can you delete and redownload Steam games?
Steam lets you uninstall and reinstall any game you've paid for whenever you want. The process is almost as easy as installing them in the first place.Does uninstalling Steam delete files?
Important: This process will remove Steam and any installed game content from your machine. If reinstalling Steam and Steam games in the near future, please move the steamapps folder (C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Steam\\steamapps) outside of the Steam directory to prevent your games from being deleted.Will uninstalling a game delete my saves?
Nope, your game saves are safe. They are separate from game data. There is a local copy that is untouched. You can find these by highlighting the game in My Games & Apps and pressing Menu then choosing Manage Game.Steam - Uninstall / Reinstall Games
More answers regarding i need to delete and redownload a game on steam, but I'm scared it'll delete my save file
Answer 2
Unless you explicitly disabled the feature in your Skyrim installation. Skyrim game files are backed up to your SteamCloud account every time you exit the game. When you wipe out the game and re-install it Steam will pull your saved game files down from the cloud.
Answer 3
Can confirm every answer that it's saved. my Skyrim is installed at home but when i install it some place else i still have al my save games. You could also manually do this. i think the save files are located in C:\users\you\any skyrim/bethesda map
Answer 4
Normally on uninstallation save games are not removed by default. But if you wish to back them up you find them here - Documents/my games/skyrim/saves [ for steam version ]
Just to point out - you don't actually have "delete" skyrim - if you want a vanilla copy. If you are deleting skyrim because you have a lot of mod files in your data folder the easiest solution is to backup and reinstall skyrim. This saves a lot more time.
The first thing you want to do is Verify Cache https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=2037-QEUH-3335
This will make sure all the files are original. Next you want to use the backup feature. https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=8794-yphv-2033
This will only backup Steam vanilla files. So just backup skyrim. Now go to your skyrim folder by right clicking on skyrim --> properties --> local files --> browse local files. and keep that folder open.
Now again right click on skyrim in steam library and delete local files. Now open the folder again and delete any remaining files.
Now re-install Skyrim using the backup copy.
This will give you a completely vanilla version of skyrim without having to redownload the massive package again.
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