How to Uninstall Once Human (Full Guide)

Updated 14 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

This guide walks you through removing Once Human from your PC, including clearing leftover files and registry entries so the game is fully gone. You’ll need administrator access to your Windows account and, if you installed through a launcher like Steam, the launcher itself.

What You’ll Need

Administrator privileges on your Windows PC
The launcher you used to install the game (Steam, Epic Games Store, or standalone)
About 10 minutes of time

Step-by-Step

Close the game and all related processes. Make sure Once Human is not running. Check the system tray and Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) for any lingering processes like OnceHuman.exe or Launcher.exe. End them if found.
Uninstall via the launcher (recommended). Open your launcher (Steam, Epic, or the standalone launcher). Go to your Library, right-click Once Human, and select Uninstall / Manage > Uninstall. Confirm when prompted. This removes the game files but often leaves configuration files behind.
Uninstall via Windows Settings (alternative). Press Win + I to open Settings, go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features). Search for “Once Human”, click the three-dot menu, and choose Uninstall. Follow the prompts.
Delete leftover game folders. After uninstalling, navigate to the installation directory (usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Once Human or wherever you chose). Delete the entire folder if it remains. Also check C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local and AppData\Roaming for any “Once Human” or “Starry Studio” folders and delete them.
Remove registry entries (optional but thorough). Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE. Look for keys named “Once Human” or “Starry Studio”. Right-click and delete them. Warning: Editing the registry is risky; backup before making changes.
Empty the Recycle Bin. If you moved any files to the Recycle Bin, empty it to free up disk space.
Restart your computer. This ensures all file locks are released and the uninstall is complete.

Common Mistakes

Skipping the launcher uninstall. Just deleting the folder without using the launcher can leave registry entries and cause errors if you reinstall.
Not closing the game first. If the game is running, the uninstaller may fail or leave files locked.
Forgetting to check AppData. Configuration files, logs, and save data often live in AppData and are not removed by the uninstaller.
Deleting the wrong folder. Make sure you’re deleting the Once Human folder, not a similarly named folder from another game.

Tips

Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller to scan for leftovers automatically, but always review what they propose to delete.
If you plan to reinstall later, back up your save files (usually in %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Once Human\Saved) before deleting.
After uninstalling, run Disk Cleanup to clear temporary files that the uninstaller might have left.

Troubleshooting

Uninstaller fails or freezes: Try running the uninstaller as administrator. Right-click the launcher and select “Run as administrator” before uninstalling.

Game still appears in launcher after uninstall: Restart the launcher. If it persists, use the launcher’s “Repair” option first, then uninstall again.

Error messages during uninstall: Note the error code. Often it’s due to the game running in the background. Open Task Manager and end all processes that mention “Once Human” or “Starry”.

Leftover files cannot be deleted: You may need to take ownership of the folder. Right-click the folder, select Properties, go to Security tab, click Advanced, change the owner to your user account, and enable full control.

Registry keys won’t delete: Ensure you have admin rights. If the key is in use, close the Registry Editor and try again after a reboot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling delete my character and progress?

Yes, uninstalling the game from your PC does not delete your account data on the server. Your character and progress are tied to your account, so you can reinstall later and continue.

Do I need to uninstall the launcher too?

No, you only need to uninstall the game. The launcher (Steam, Epic) can stay for other games. If you used a standalone launcher for Once Human, you can uninstall that separately if you no longer need it.

How much disk space will I free up?

The game itself is around 50 GB, but with updates and cache files, you might free up 60-70 GB. Deleting AppData folders can add a few hundred MB more.

Can I move the game to another drive instead of uninstalling?

Yes, most launchers support moving installed games. In Steam, right-click the game, select Properties > Installed Files > Move Install Folder. This is a good alternative if you just want to free space on a specific drive.

Is it safe to delete the registry keys?

Yes, if you delete only the keys related to Once Human. However, if you’re unsure, skip this step. The game won’t function without the files anyway, and a fresh install will recreate the keys.

What if I can’t find the game in “Installed apps”?

If you installed via a launcher, it might not appear in Windows’ list. Use the launcher’s uninstall option instead. If it’s not there either, check the installation folder for an uninstall.exe file and run it.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.