How to uninstall games safely on Xbox

This guide shows you how to properly remove games from your Xbox console to free up storage space without losing your save data or purchased license. Success means the game is removed from your hard drive, but you can reinstall it anytime from your library at no extra cost.

Note: Steps can vary by console generation, system software, region, and account type. This guide uses safe, general methods.

Quick Answer

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Navigate to "My games & apps" and select "See all".
Highlight the game you want to remove.
Press the "Menu" button (three lines) on your controller.
Select "Uninstall" from the pop-up menu.
Confirm the uninstallation when prompted.

If this doesn’t work, jump to Diagnose the issue below.

What you need

Before you start

Your Xbox console must be powered on and you must be signed in.
You need a controller that is paired and working.
Know which game you want to uninstall.
Ensure your game progress is saved. Save data is stored separately in the cloud.
Consider if the game has any large, separate "reserved space" files that may need separate deletion.
If using an external drive, ensure it is connected and recognized.

Good to know

Uninstalling a game does not remove your license to play it. You can reinstall it later.
Save data is automatically backed up to the cloud if you are online.
Some games share assets or have dependencies. Uninstalling one might affect another.
You can uninstall games to free up space for updates or new installations.
The "Uninstall" option might be grayed out for games that are currently running or updating.
Game clips and screenshots are stored separately and are not deleted.

Diagnose the issue in 2 minutes

Check 1 — Is the "Uninstall" option missing or grayed out?

The game might be currently running, updating, or is a system-required app.

What you should see: The "Uninstall" option should be selectable in the menu.

Check 2 — Are you trying to uninstall from an external drive?

The process is the same, but ensure the external storage device is properly connected and not failing.

What you should see: Games on external drives list the drive name next to them.

Check 3 — Is the game part of a subscription service (like Game Pass)?

Uninstalling a Game Pass game works the same, but you lose access if your subscription ends.

What you should see: The game can be uninstalled normally; your subscription status only affects your ability to launch it later.

Check 4 — Are you worried about losing save data?

Save data is typically synced to the cloud automatically when you're online. You can force a manual sync.

What you should see: After reinstalling, your progress should be restored from the cloud.

If you identify the branch that matches your case, follow the steps below and use the scenario cards for faster fixes.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1 — Open the guide menu

This is your central hub for navigation and quick actions.

Press the glowing Xbox button in the center of your controller.
The guide menu will slide in from the left side of your screen.

What you should see: A vertical menu with options like Home, Profile, My games & apps, and Settings.

Step 2 — Navigate to your games library

You need to find the complete list of your installed games and apps.

In the guide, select "My games & apps".
Then choose "See all". This opens your full library.

What you should see: A grid of icons representing all your installed games and applications.

Step 3 — Select the target game

You can browse or use filters to find the game you wish to remove.

Use the left stick or D-pad to highlight the game's tile.
Do not press the A button to launch it. Just ensure it's highlighted.

What you should see: The selected game's tile will have a subtle highlight or border.

Step 4 — Open the context menu

This menu provides options specific to the highlighted item.

Press the "Menu" button on your controller (the one with three horizontal lines).
A context menu will pop up on the right side of the game's tile.

What you should see: A list of options like "Uninstall", "Manage game and add-ons", "Move", etc.

Step 5 — Choose to uninstall

This initiates the removal process.

From the context menu, select "Uninstall".

What you should see: A confirmation dialog box asking you to confirm the uninstallation.

Step 6 — Confirm the action

This is the final step to delete the game files from your storage.

Read the confirmation message to ensure you've selected the correct game.
Select "Uninstall all" or "Uninstall" to proceed.

What you should see: A progress bar may appear, and the game's tile will disappear from your library once complete.

Step 7 — Verify and manage leftover data (Optional)

Sometimes, "reserved space" or save data remains. You can manage these separately.

Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage".
Select your storage device, then "Games and apps".
You can check for and delete leftover "reserved space" files here if needed.

What you should see: A detailed breakdown of your storage usage.

Common scenarios and fixes

Scenario: The "Uninstall" option is grayed out

Likely cause: The game is currently running in the background, is paused in Quick Resume, or is in the process of updating.

Fast fix: Quit the game fully. Press the Xbox button, highlight the game, press the Menu button, and select "Quit". Then try uninstalling again. Also, check for pending updates in "My games & apps" > "Manage" > "Updates".

When to escalate: If the option remains grayed out after a full console restart, there may be a system file issue.

Scenario: You want to keep the game but delete only some add-ons (DLC)

Likely cause: You need to manage the game's components individually to free up space selectively.

Fast fix: Highlight the game, press the Menu button, and choose "Manage game and add-ons". Here you can select which specific add-ons to uninstall.

When to escalate: If an add-on fails to uninstall or appears corrupted, uninstalling and reinstalling the entire game is often the fix.

Scenario: Game is uninstalled but still taking up "reserved space"

Likely cause: The console keeps some temporary or cache files for potential re-use. This is normal but can be cleared.

Fast fix: Go to "Settings" > "System" > "Storage". Select your drive, then "Games and apps". Find the entry for "Reserved space" associated with the uninstalled game and delete it.

When to escalate: If the reserved space reappears persistently for no installed game, a console reset may be needed.

Scenario: You accidentally uninstalled a game

Likely cause: Mistaken selection during the uninstall process.

Fast fix: Don't worry. Your license is safe. Go to "My games & apps" > "Full library" > "All owned games" to find the game and reinstall it.

When to escalate: If the game does not appear in your owned library, check your purchase history or account ownership status.

Scenario: You want to move a game to another drive instead of uninstalling

Likely cause: You have multiple storage devices and want to reorganize.

Fast fix: Highlight the game, press the Menu button, and select "Manage game and add-ons" > "Move all". Choose the destination drive.

When to escalate: If the move fails repeatedly, the destination drive may be failing or have incorrect formatting.

Scenario: Game fails to uninstall with an error code

Likely cause: Corrupted game files or a temporary system glitch.

Fast fix: Perform a full power cycle: hold the power button on the console for 10 seconds, unplug it for 2 minutes, then restart. Try uninstalling again.

When to escalate: If the error persists, note the exact error code and contact Xbox support.

Quick reference

Key concepts for this topic

Item	What it means	Why it matters
License	Your digital right to access and play a game, tied to your account.	Uninstalling does not remove the license, so you can always reinstall games you've purchased.
Save Data	Your game progress, stored separately from the game itself.	It's usually synced to the cloud automatically. Uninstalling the game does not delete your saves.
Reserved Space	Storage set aside for game updates, cache, and temporary files.	It can sometimes remain after uninstalling and may need to be cleared manually to free up space.
Quick Resume	A feature that keeps games in a suspended state for instant resuming.	A game in Quick Resume is considered "active," which can prevent uninstallation until it's fully quit.

Safe defaults

Setting	Safe default	When to change
Storage locations	Install new games to the internal drive.	If you add a fast external SSD, set it as the default for better performance on Series X\|S games.
Cloud saves	Always enabled and automatic.	Only disable if you have severe data caps and want to manage uploads manually (not recommended).
Game updates	Keep my games & apps up to date (ON).	Turn off to control bandwidth, but you may need to manually update before playing online.

Mind map summary

Start
  -> Need to free up space
      -> Select game to uninstall
          -> "Uninstall" option is grayed out
              -> Game is running/updating
                  -> Quit game fully, retry
                      -> If still grayed out
                          -> Restart console, check for system updates
          -> "Uninstall" option works
              -> Confirm uninstall
                  -> Game removed, license kept
                      -> Save data safe in cloud
                          -> Reinstall anytime from library
      -> Want to keep game but remove DLC
          -> Use "Manage game and add-ons"
      -> Game gone but space not freed
          -> Check "Reserved space" in Storage settings
  -> Accidental uninstall
      -> Reinstall from "Full library" > "All owned games"
  -> Uninstall fails with error
      -> Power cycle console
          -> If error persists
              -> Note error code, contact support

Troubleshooting checklist

Console

Is the console fully powered on and not in standby mode?
Is your controller connected and responsive?
Have you fully quit the game using the "Quit" option?
Is the game currently downloading an update?
Have you tried a full power cycle (hold power 10 secs)?
Is your console's system software up to date?
Is there sufficient free space for the uninstall process to complete?

Account and services

Are you signed in with the account that owns the game?
Is your Xbox Live Gold/Game Pass Ultimate subscription active (if required for the game)?
Is the game a trial or demo that has expired?
Have you checked the game's status in "Full library" > "All owned games"?
Is your account's privacy/security settings blocking content management?
Is cloud save syncing enabled in settings?

Storage

Is the storage device (internal or external) recognized by the console?
Is the external drive formatted correctly for Xbox (NTFS)?
Are you trying to uninstall a game that's on a different, currently disconnected drive?
Have you checked "Reserved space" in Storage settings for leftover files?
Is the storage device near full capacity? (This can cause odd behavior).
Have you tried moving the game to a different drive before uninstalling?

When to escalate

Try a console reset if standard uninstall fails repeatedly with vague errors. Choose "Reset and keep my games & apps" as a last resort before a full factory reset.
Contact Xbox support if you receive a specific, persistent error code during uninstallation, or if a game you purchased does not appear in your owned library for reinstallation.

What to collect before escalating

Exact error code or message displayed during the failed uninstall.
Time and timezone when the error occurred.
Console model (e.g., Xbox Series X, Xbox One S) and current system OS version.
Name of the game and whether it's on internal or external storage.
What other games or apps were running or updating at the time.
Any recent changes to your console, network, or account.

FAQ

Will I lose my game progress if I uninstall?

No. Your save data is stored separately and is automatically uploaded to the cloud when you're online. When you reinstall the game, your progress will sync back down.

Do I have to buy the game again after uninstalling?

No. Your purchase license is permanently tied to your Microsoft account. You can reinstall it anytime from your "Full library" at no additional cost.

Can I uninstall a game from the Xbox app on my phone?

No, you cannot directly uninstall games from the Xbox app. The app is for remote installation and management of your library, but removal must be done directly on the console.

What's the difference between "Uninstall" and "Delete everywhere"?

"Uninstall" removes the game from your console's storage. "Delete everywhere" is a less common option that can remove your saved data from the console and the cloud—use this with extreme caution.

Why is a game I uninstalled still showing on my home screen?

It may be a placeholder or "pin." You can remove it by highlighting it, pressing the Menu button, and selecting "Remove from home." This does not affect the installed files.

Can I uninstall pre-installed games like "Forza Horizon 5" on a Series S bundle?

Yes, you can uninstall any game, even those that came pre-installed on your console. Your license for that bundled game is tied to your account, so you can reinstall it later.

How do I uninstall a game to reinstall it on a different drive?

You don't need to uninstall it first. Use the "Move" function. Highlight the game, press Menu, choose "Manage game and add-ons," then "Move all" to select the new drive.

Does uninstalling a game improve console performance?

Not directly, but it frees up storage space, which the console needs for temporary files and updates. A nearly full drive can slow down some system operations.

Sources and references

Official Xbox support documentation and help articles
Microsoft account security and recovery guidance
General storage management concepts for gaming consoles
Digital license and ownership policies for online storefronts

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How to uninstall games safely on Xbox

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