PCVR Central

How to Back Up, Remove and Uninstall PC VR Mods

Learn how to back up game files, uninstall PC VR mods cleanly, restore Steam games, remove leftover injectors, and keep saves safe before updates.

Troubleshooting5 min readLast updated

VR modding is much easier when you can always return to a clean game. Before replacing DLLs, installing injectors, changing config files, or stacking graphics mods, create a recovery path.

This guide explains how to back up important files, remove common VR mod types, use Steam's file verification correctly, and avoid deleting save data by mistake.

What should you back up before installing a VR mod?

At minimum, protect:

  • Save files.
  • Configuration files you care about.
  • Files the mod explicitly replaces.
  • Working UEVR profiles.
  • Custom controller bindings.
  • Mod-loader profiles.

You usually do not need to duplicate an entire 150 GB game if the launcher can redownload official files, but a full backup can still be useful when a specific game version is important and the platform supports preserving it legally.

Find your save files first

Save locations vary. Common locations include:

  • Documents
  • Documents\My Games
  • %LOCALAPPDATA%
  • %APPDATA%
  • Steam userdata folders
  • The game installation directory
  • Cloud-save services

Search the game's official documentation or a reputable technical reference.

Do not assume Steam Cloud protects every save or configuration file.

Back up files a mod will overwrite

If a mod replaces a small number of files, copy the originals to a separate backup folder.

Example structure:

VR-Mod-Backup/
  original-dlls/
  configs/
  uevr-profile/
  notes.txt

In notes.txt, record:

  • Game version.
  • Mod version.
  • Download source.
  • Installation date.
  • Files copied/replaced.
  • Launch parameters changed.

That tiny log makes future cleanup dramatically easier.

Keep mod archives

If a mod is updated frequently, keep the exact archive that produced your working setup.

A newer version can introduce regressions, and the original download may later move. Keeping the archive for your personal setup also makes it easy to compare which files the mod added.

Do not redistribute removed or paywalled mods without permission.

How to uninstall a simple file-copy VR mod

If the mod only added files:

  1. Close the game and VR runtime.
  2. Open the mod archive.
  3. Compare its folder structure with the game directory.
  4. Delete only files that were added by the mod.
  5. Restore any original files that were overwritten.
  6. Launch the game flatscreen and test.

The original archive is often the best uninstall manifest when the mod does not provide one.

How to uninstall a mod managed by a mod manager

Use the manager's disable or uninstall function first.

Afterward, check whether the VR mod also required:

  • Root-folder DLLs.
  • Script extenders.
  • Launch parameters.
  • External runtimes.
  • Manual configuration edits.

A manager may control only part of the installation.

How to remove UEVR

UEVR itself is primarily an external injector, so removing the UEVR application does not normally require reinstalling the entire game.

However, a UEVR setup can include:

  • Game profiles.
  • Plugins/scripts.
  • Companion mods.
  • Modified game configs.
  • Launch parameters.

To fully return to baseline, remove or disable those game-specific additions too.

Keep your working profiles in a separate backup if you may return later.

How Steam "Verify integrity" actually helps

Steam's verification feature compares installed official game files against the expected files for the current Steam build and redownloads missing or modified official files.

It is excellent for restoring replaced game assets and DLLs.

But it has an important limitation: verification may not delete extra files that a mod added.

That means a stray injected DLL can remain after verification and continue breaking the game.

For a true clean reset:

  1. Uninstall/remove known mod files.
  2. Verify game files.
  3. Inspect the game directory for leftovers.
  4. Launch flatscreen before reinstalling the mod.

Clean reinstall when verification is not enough

If the game still crashes after mod removal:

  1. Back up saves.
  2. Uninstall the game through the launcher.
  3. Check whether the installation folder still exists.
  4. Manually delete leftover mod files after confirming no saves are stored there.
  5. Reinstall the game.
  6. Launch it once without mods.
  7. Reinstall only the VR mod.

Do not blindly delete folders under Documents or AppData because those often contain saves.

Back up launch options

VR mods sometimes require Steam launch options or command-line flags.

Before changing them, copy the old value to your notes.

After uninstalling a mod, remove flags that are no longer required. A forgotten DirectX or anti-cheat launch parameter can create strange behavior months later.

Back up controller bindings

SteamVR and other platforms can store custom controller bindings separately from the game directory.

If you spent an hour mapping motion controls, export/share the binding when the platform supports it or at least capture screenshots of the layout.

Back up UEVR profiles before game updates

Game updates can make an old profile incompatible, but that does not mean the profile has no value. Save it before testing the new version so you can compare which settings changed.

Record the game version in the profile notes.

How to prepare for a major game update

Before updating a heavily modded VR game:

  1. Check whether the VR mod supports the new patch.
  2. Back up saves.
  3. Back up the working profile.
  4. Save a list of installed mods.
  5. Remove fragile injectors if the mod author recommends it.
  6. Update the base game.
  7. Launch flatscreen once.
  8. Install the updated VR mod/profile.

This avoids confusing an update problem with an old leftover file.

Frequently asked questions

Will uninstalling a VR mod delete my save?

Usually not, but modded games can store files in unusual places. Back up saves before cleanup.

Does uninstalling and reinstalling a Steam game remove every mod?

Not always. Steam may leave non-Steam files in the game directory. Inspect leftovers after uninstalling.

Does verifying Steam files remove UEVR?

UEVR is an external injector, so verification does not remove the UEVR application. It may restore game files changed by companion mods.

Should I back up the whole game?

Usually only when download size, version preservation, or heavy manual modification makes it worthwhile. Saves and irreplaceable configs are the priority.

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