Step-by-Step Guide: Deleting Minecraft Server Files on Your Computer

Mon Nov 15. 2021

Minecraft, the popular sandbox game developed by Mojang Studios, allows players to create and host their own servers for multiplayer gameplay. However, there may come a time when you no longer need a specific Minecraft server and want to delete its files from your computer. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of deleting Minecraft server files on your computer.

Please note that this guide is specifically for deleting Minecraft server files on a Windows operating system. The process may differ slightly for other operating systems.

Step 1: Locate the Server Folder

The first step is to locate the folder where your Minecraft server files are stored on your computer. Typically, the server files are saved in a dedicated folder that you created when setting up the server. The default location is often the same folder where the server software is located. If you're unsure of the exact location, check the desktop or the Downloads folder for any server-related files.

Step 2: Close the Minecraft Server

Before deleting the server files, it is crucial to ensure that the Minecraft server is not running. If the server is running, players may lose connection and data integrity may be compromised. To shut down the server, simply exit the Minecraft server console or command prompt window.

Step 3: Delete the Server Files

Once the Minecraft server is closed, you can proceed to delete the server files. Right-click on the server folder and select "Delete" from the context menu. Alternatively, you can press the "Delete" key on your keyboard after selecting the folder. A confirmation dialog may appear, asking if you are sure you want to delete the folder and its contents. Click "Yes" to proceed with the deletion.

Step 4: Empty the Recycle Bin

After deleting the server files, it is a good practice to empty the Recycle Bin on your computer. This step permanently deletes the files from your computer, freeing up storage space. Locate the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop or in the File Explorer, right-click on it, and select "Empty Recycle Bin" from the context menu. Confirm the action when prompted.

Step 5: Verify Deletion

To ensure that the Minecraft server files are successfully deleted, navigate to the original location where the server folder was located. If the deletion was successful, the folder should no longer be present. Additionally, you can also check other relevant locations, such as the "AppData" folder, for any remaining server-related files.