Portal 2 re-downloads deleted community maps

When I try delete the files directly from the workshop folder on my computer, they are downloaded again when I start up Portal 2? How do I delete them permanently? They are taking up 5GB of space!

portal-2

Best Answer

I'm going to use the answer found on a steam community form found HERE

First, unsubscribe from the addon. It'll keep Steam from re-downloading the mod every time you start the game.

Then you'll want to follow this file path: [Drive you have Steam installed on] > Program Files or Program Files (x86)* > Steam > steamapps > common > left 4 dead 2 > left4dead2 > addons > workshop.

Most mods are packaged in a file with a .vpk suffix. Find the .vpk file you want to remove, delete it, and voila. It's gone. This last step may be a bit hard if you have multiple Workshop mods as Workshop mods are numerically named.

Side Note: The addons folder where the workshop folder is located is where you paste .vpk addons you download manually to install them.

*Steam should be in Program Files if you have a 32-bit OS, or Program Files (x86) if you have a 64-bit OS. If it's not in one, check the other.

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If that doesn't work HERE is another solution to remove workshop items:

open a shell and go to maps/workshop then type

dir /S/O/B *.bsp >doit.bat
dir /S/O/B *.jpg >>doit.bat
notepad doit.bat
find and replace .bsp to .bsp"
find and replace .jpg to .jpg"
find and replace C: to copy null "C:
save and exit notepad
generate a file with no content named null
start doit.bat

all jpg and bsp files are changed to zero filesize