How to completely uninstall and reinstall CS2
A step-by-step clean CS2 reinstall: how to keep your settings, remove the game and leftover files, and install it again when nothing else helped.
Reinstalling is a last resort when file checks, drivers and settings resets have not helped. Do it properly so you do not lose your settings.
💾 1. Back up your settings
Copy to a separate folder:
Steam\userdata\YOUR_ID\730\local\cfg
and your autoexec.cfg from game\csgo\cfg if you have one. Note your Steam launch options.
🗑️ 2. Uninstall the game
Steam → right-click CS2 → Manage → Uninstall.
📁 3. Remove leftovers
After uninstalling, check whether this folder is still there:
Steam\steamapps\common\Counter-Strike Global Offensive
If it is, delete it manually. Damaged files may remain there.
⬇️ 4. Install again
Restart Steam.
Install CS2 from your library. An SSD is the better choice.
After installing, launch the game once and close it.
🔁 5. Restore settings
Copy the backed-up files back into the same folders, replacing existing ones, and re-enter your launch options.
⚠️ Keep in mind
Your inventory, ranks and items are stored on Valve's servers and are not lost after a reinstall.