[SOLVED] I'm unable to reinstall Steam because of undeletable files ?

[Fryrok]

I uninstalled steam recently from the add/remove programs tool. I wanted to install it again but when I ran the installer and indicated the "c/program files (86)/Steam" directory I was using before, I received a notification that the folder must be empty to install. I tried to go and delete the old directory files for Steam, but I got a notification that it was open in another program and could not be deleted. However I checked my task manager and there are no instances of steam or related processes. Should I make a brand new directory, say, call it Steam2? I was hoping for a clean reinstall. I feel like I'm missing something.

Any advice?

 

[Ralston18]

Any other Steam listings such as "Steam VR" or "Steam VR Performance Test"?

Try using Process Explorer (Microsoft, free):

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

= = = =

Try running "dism" and "sfc /scannow".

The uninstall process may have left some bit of file corruption behind.

 

[Moonstick2]

What files are in the folder?

File Locksmith should tell you what's using them.

 

[Fryrok]

Any other Steam listings such as "Steam VR" or "Steam VR Performance Test"?

Try using Process Explorer (Microsoft, free):

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

= = = =

Try running "dism" and "sfc /scannow".

The uninstall process may have left some bit of file corruption behind.

Thanks for the help. I downloaded the process explorer tool and found out that wallpaper engine was still trying to boot at startup. I deleted all files except the "userdata" file within the Steam directory mentioned above.

I also ran "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth"
and "DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth"
and no corruption was found. I ran sfc /scannow and no issues were detected.

I am trying to delete the "userdata" file within C:\ program files (86)\Steam, but this time the error is "Item Not Found" -- "This is no longer located in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam. Verify the item's location and try again."

How would I determine the location of this file for delete, or what other next steps could I take?

 

[Moonstick2]

If you can see it in there but Windows can't, try opening a terminal as Administrator and deleting the file from within that (if you're comfortable with using the terminal?)

 

[Ralston18]

I did a quick Google search.

The following link may be a good starting point:

https://www.ncesc.com/gaming-pedia/where-are-steam-local-save-files/

Look for other similar links.

Do not get tempted into any tools or downloads claiming to help find the file(s).

The next step would be to use a wildcard search if you can find, know, or discover some criteria that can be used to do so.

Perhaps some part of your username could be used.

 

[Fryrok]

Solved!

I ended up investigating more advanced deletion methods and used the rmdir /s /q function in cmd