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Steam does not offer a general setting that compresses installed games. To reclaim storage, check whether a particular game has optional language files or installed DLC you do not need. If the drive itself is full, move games to another Steam library. Update settings can defer future downloads, but they do not shrink files already installed.
First, identify what you want to change
| Goal | What to do | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Use less space for one installed game | Check that game’s language and DLC options | May let you remove or avoid optional content, depending on the game; Steam’s cited guidance does not quantify savings or establish that every item can be removed. |
| Keep future downloads from starting automatically | Adjust the game’s update setting or manage downloads | Changes when updates download, not the installed game’s size. |
| Free space on a particular full drive | Move games to another Steam library | Reclaims space on the original drive but leaves the games’ total installed size unchanged. |
| Fix a download or launch problem | Clear Steam’s download cache if appropriate | Does not reduce the size of installed games. |
Check for game-specific files you may not need
Review language settings
For a game that supports multiple languages, open its Properties > Language page and select the language you want. Steam notes that supported language files may need to be downloaded. Language support and file behavior vary by game; changing the language should not be treated as a guaranteed way to remove files already installed. See Steam’s language settings guidance.
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Inspect installed DLC
Open the game’s Library page or Properties menu and look at its DLC section. Steam’s page shows owned DLC and whether it is installed. Check the individual title before taking action: the available information does not establish that every DLC item can be uninstalled or say how much space any item uses. See Steam’s instructions for finding DLC.
Control when Steam downloads updates
In your Library, open the game’s Manage or Properties menu and choose Updates. Steam lists these per-game choices:
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- Kick loading into overdrive with a USB 3.2 Gen2x2 interface and speeds up to 2,000MB/s. (Based on read speed. 1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.)
- Compatible with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles. {Compatible with PlayStation 4 Pro or PS4 with system software version 4.50 or higher, PlayStation 5 (Play and store PS4 games; archive PS5 games), Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S (Play and store Xbox One games; archive Xbox Series X|S games).}
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- Always keep this game updated
- Only update this game when I launch it
- High Priority – Always auto-update this game before others
Choosing launch-time updates can postpone an automatic download, but it does not delete game files; if an update is needed, launching the game forces the update. Steam’s Download Manager also lets you schedule download windows, reorder queued downloads and manage active downloads. For details, see Steam’s download and update guidance.
Move games off a full drive
If another drive has room, add a Steam library there and move selected games. In the Steam client, open Settings > Storage, add a library location on the destination drive, select the games, and use Move. Steam says existing games can be moved without uninstalling them. This transfers where the files are stored: it frees space on the source drive but does not compress the games or reduce their total footprint. See Steam’s guide to moving installations and games.
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- Get NVMe solid state performance with up to 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds in a portable, high-capacity drive(1) (Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device & other factors. 1MB=1,000,000 bytes.)
- Up to 3-meter drop protection and IP65 water and dust resistance mean this tough drive can take a beating(3) (Previously rated for 2-meter drop protection and IP55 rating. Now qualified for the higher, stated specs.)
- Use the handy carabiner loop to secure it to your belt loop or backpack for extra peace of mind.
- Help keep private content private with the included password protection featuring 256‐bit AES hardware encryption.(3)
- Easily manage files and automatically free up space with the SanDisk Memory Zone app.(5). Non-Operating Temperature -20°C to 85°C
Do not clear the download cache to reclaim game space
Clearing Steam’s download cache is intended to help troubleshoot games that will not download or start, not to make installed games smaller. Steam says the process does not affect currently installed games and requires you to sign in again afterward. See Steam’s cache-clearing instructions.
Check why available space keeps decreasing
If free space falls after you play, downloads may not be the only cause. Steam lists updates, saved-game files and multiplayer custom content as possible reasons disk space can decrease. Check actual drive usage and the specific game’s content before deleting files. Steam’s explanation is at Available disk space decreases every time a game is run.
Quick Recap
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- MADE FOR THE MAKERS: Create; Explore; Store; The T7 Portable SSD delivers fast speeds and durable features to back up any endeavor; Build your video editing empire, file your photographs or back up your blogs all in an instant
- SHARE IDEAS IN A FLASH: Don’t waste a second waiting and spend more time doing; The T7 is embedded with PCIe NVMe technology that brings fast read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s¹, making it almost twice as fast as the T5
- ALWAYS MAKE THE SAVE: Compact design with massive capacity; With capacities up to 4TB, save exactly what you need to your drive – from large working files to game data and everything in between
- ADAPTS TO EVERY NEED: Whether using a PC or mobile phone, count on the T7 for extensive compatibility²; It’s a true team player when it comes to heavy-duty application usage or file-saving
- HI RESOLUTION VIDEO RECORDING: Record Ultra High Resolution (4K 60fs) videos directly onto the T7 Portable SSD with your favorite camera or mobile devices; Supports iPhone 15 Pro Res 4K at 60fps video and more³
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