Delete All Steam Cloud Saves? What Actually Happens
Deleting all Steam Cloud saves removes the local copies of your game saves that Steam has stored on your computer, and it can also delete the cloud copies if you choose the right option. The exact outcome depends on whether you delete the files from your local folder or use Steam’s “Delete� button in the cloud settings, so check the details below before you click.
What Steam Cloud Actually Does
Steam Cloud is a service that stores save files and some game settings on Valve’s servers. When you play a game that supports it, Steam syncs those files between your PC and the cloud so you can continue on another computer or recover data after a reinstall. The service is automatic for most games, but it only works for titles that the developer has enabled.
Each game has its own cloud storage quota, and Steam keeps only the latest version of each file unless the game uses a multi-file or timestamped system. If you delete a save locally, Steam may re-download it from the cloud the next time you launch the game. That’s why simply deleting files from your hard drive often doesn’t permanently erase them.
How to Delete Cloud Saves (Both Copies)
To permanently delete a game’s cloud saves, you must disable cloud sync for that game and then remove the local files. Here’s the general process:
- Open Steam and go to Steam > Settings > Cloud.
- Uncheck Enable Steam Cloud synchronization for games that support it, or right-click a specific game, choose Properties > General, and uncheck the cloud sync box for that title.
- Close Steam completely.
- Navigate to the game’s save folder. The default location is usually
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\userdata\<your Steam ID>\<app ID>, but many games store saves elsewhere (like inDocumentsorAppData). - Delete the save files or the entire folder for that game.
- Restart Steam. If you keep cloud sync disabled, the files won’t come back.
If you only want to clear the cloud copy but keep the local one, you can use the “Delete� button in Steam’s cloud settings (Steam > Settings > Cloud > Manage Storage). That button removes the cloud copy but leaves your local files untouched.
What “Delete All� Means in Steam’s Settings
Steam’s Manage Storage screen shows a list of games with cloud saves and a “Delete� button next to each. Clicking that deletes the cloud copy only. There is no single “Delete All� button that wipes every game at once—you have to do it per game. If you delete the cloud copy, the local files remain, and the next time you launch the game with sync enabled, Steam will upload the local files again, effectively recreating the cloud save.
To truly delete all cloud saves and prevent them from returning, you must disable sync for each game and then delete the local files as described above. That’s the only way to ensure both copies are gone.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
- “I deleted my saves but they came back.� That’s Steam Cloud re-downloading them. Disable sync first.
- “I deleted the cloud copy but my game still has old saves.� The local files are still there. Delete them too.
- “I want to start fresh but keep my achievements.� Achievements are tied to your Steam account, not to save files. Deleting saves won’t reset achievements.
- “I deleted a save by mistake—can I get it back?� If you deleted the cloud copy and then disabled sync, it’s gone unless you have a backup. If you only deleted locally and sync was on, Steam may still have the cloud copy.
How to Back Up Saves Before Deleting
Before you delete anything, make a backup. The safest method is to copy the save folder to an external drive or a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. You can also use Steam’s built-in backup feature for the entire game, but that backs up the whole game, not just saves. For most games, the save folder is small, so copying it is quick.
To find the exact save location for a specific game, check the game’s Steam Community hub or the developer’s support page. Many games also list the save path in their settings or on the PCGamingWiki website.
Deleting vs. Disabling Cloud Sync
Deleting removes the files. Disabling cloud sync stops the syncing process but leaves existing files in place. If you disable sync, Steam will not upload or download saves for that game, but your local saves remain untouched. This is useful if you want to play offline or avoid overwriting a save from another computer.
If you re-enable sync later, Steam will ask which version to keep (local or cloud) if they differ. That can cause confusion, so always back up before changing sync settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will deleting Steam Cloud saves delete my game achievements?
No. Achievements are stored on your Steam account, not in save files. Deleting saves only removes game progress, not the achievement badges or their timestamps.
Can I recover a save after deleting it from the cloud?
Only if you have a local backup or the game uses a separate backup system. Steam does not keep deleted cloud saves in a trash bin. If you delete both copies, they are permanently gone.
Does Steam Cloud store saves for every game?
No. It only works for games that the developer has enabled. You can check if a game supports cloud saves by looking for the cloud icon on its store page or in your library.
What happens if I delete a save while the game is running?
Steam may not sync correctly, and the game might overwrite the deletion when it exits. Always close the game before deleting save files.
Is there a way to delete all cloud saves at once?
No. Steam’s interface only allows per-game deletion. You’ll need to repeat the process for each game.
Does deleting cloud saves free up space on my hard drive?
Only if you also delete the local files. Cloud saves are stored on Valve’s servers, not on your PC. The local copies are what take up space.
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