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How to Delete Iracing Setups

New to iRacing? This beginner guide explains how to delete iRacing setups safely in the UI and Windows, avoid mistakes, and organize clean, confidence-boosting choices.

If you’re new to iRacing and overwhelmed by a pile of saved car setups, you’re not alone. In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to delete iRacing setups (safely), what not to touch, and a simple way to keep your garage tidy so you can pick a setup quickly and drive with confidence.

Quick Answer

how to delete iracing setups means removing saved car setup files you no longer want, either from the Garage screen in iRacing or from the Documents/iRacing/setups folder. For beginners, it clears clutter, prevents loading the wrong file, and makes it easier to choose a stable setup that boosts consistency.

What This Guide Covers

  • What “how to delete iracing setups” means in iRacing
  • Why beginners struggle with setup clutter
  • Step-by-step guidance to delete setups in the UI and in Windows
  • Common mistakes to avoid (and how to fix them)
  • A 5–10 minute practice drill to test and organize setups
  • When it helps to ask other iRacing drivers for quick feedback

What “Deleting Setups” Means in iRacing

  • Simple definition: You’re removing saved setup files (.sto) for a car so they no longer appear in your setup list.
  • Analogy: Think of it like cleaning your phone’s photo gallery—keeping the good shots, deleting duplicates and blurry ones.
  • Where you see it: In any session (Test, Practice, Qualifying, Race), open the Garage and click Open/Load Setup. You’ll see folders like Baseline, iRacing, and My Setups. Your deletable files are in My Setups. iRacing-provided baselines and fixed setups can’t be deleted.

Why This Matters for Rookies

  • Less choice = better focus. A messy setup list makes it easy to pick the wrong file, lose laps, or drive a setup that’s twitchy.
  • Confidence and Safety Rating. A calmer, predictable car helps you stay on track, avoid incidents, and finish races—crucial for rookies.
  • Saves time. When you know how to delete iRacing setups, you spend minutes organizing once and save time every session after.
  • Avoids frustration. Updates and track versions change; keeping just a few trustworthy setups prevents “Why is the car different today?” moments.

Common Problems Beginners Face With Deleting Setups

Problem 1: “I can’t find a delete button.”

  • Why it happens: The delete option is in the Open/Load setup window and only applies to “My Setups.”
  • How to fix it: In the Garage, click Open (or Load). Go to My Setups. Use the trash icon, right‑click > Delete, or the three-dot menu (varies by UI version).

Problem 2: “It says I can’t delete this setup.”

  • Why it happens: You can’t delete baseline/iRacing-provided or fixed series setups. Also, you usually can’t delete the exact setup currently loaded.
  • How to fix it: Load a baseline or another setup first, then delete the unwanted file. Remember: fixed series setups aren’t yours to delete.

Problem 3: “I deleted the wrong setup.”

  • Why it happens: Similar names, old track versions, or no naming convention.
  • How to fix it: Use a clear naming pattern (e.g., Track_Version‑Race‑Date.sto). Before deleting a batch, copy files to a backup folder.

Problem 4: “I deleted files but they still show up.”

  • Why it happens: iRacing was open during deletion, or you’re looking at a different car folder.
  • How to fix it: Close iRacing before deleting in File Explorer. Re-open the sim, and check Documents/iRacing/setups/Exact Car Name.

Step-by-Step Guide: how to delete iracing setups

Method A — Delete in the iRacing UI (quick and safe)

  1. Join a Test or Practice session, then open the Garage.
  2. Click Open/Load Setup. Go to My Setups (this is where your files live).
  3. Highlight the setup you don’t want.
  4. Click the trash icon, right‑click > Delete, or use the three-dot menu (UI varies). Confirm.
  5. If the delete button is grayed out, load a different setup (like Baseline) first, then try again.
  6. Tip: Sort by Date Modified so the newest files sit on top; it’s easier to find duplicates.

Method B — Delete in Windows File Explorer (bulk clean-up)

  1. Exit iRacing (important to avoid phantom list entries).
  2. Go to Documents > iRacing > setups > [Exact Car Name].
  3. Sort by Name or Date Modified. Select unwanted .sto files and press Delete.
  4. Optional safety: move them to a “_Archive” folder instead of deleting.
  5. Relaunch iRacing; your list will be clean.

Safety/etiquette: Do your housekeeping in Test or Practice, not on the grid of an official race—you’ll reduce the risk of last‑second mistakes that could affect others.

Practical Example (Before vs. After)

Before (Typical Rookie)

  • Has 40+ setups named “race,” “race (2),” “test,” “okay,” and “new.”
  • Loads the wrong setup, the car feels snappy on corner exit, spins, and SR drops.
  • Wastes practice time browsing files instead of driving.

After (Correct Approach)

  • Keeps three per track: Baseline‑Safe, Race‑[TrackShort]‑[Date], and Q‑[TrackShort]‑[Date].
  • Deletes duplicates and clearly outdated files.
  • Picks the right setup in seconds, feels stable, runs more laps, and finishes races.

Simple Practice Drill (5–10 Minutes)

  • Load into a Test Session at Charlotte Legends or Okayama Short with the car you’re learning.
  • In Garage > Open, load Baseline, Save As “Baseline‑Safe‑[Today].”
  • Do 5 laps at 80% pace, focusing on smooth exits. If it’s calm, Save As “Race‑[TrackShort]‑[Today].” If it’s edgy, add one click of rear wing or reduce rear ARB one step, then Save As.
  • Delete any old “race (2)”/duplicate files. Keep only Baseline‑Safe, Race, and Q versions.
  • Goal: a short, clean list and a car that feels predictable.

Pro Tips for New iRacing Drivers

  • Use a naming convention: TrackShort‑Version‑Role (Race/Q)‑Date (e.g., Okayama‑Full‑Race‑2025‑01‑10).
  • Keep one “Baseline‑Safe” you trust. Delete anything you don’t plan to drive this season.
  • If the car suddenly feels wrong after an update, archive old setups and try the new Baseline first.
  • Practice organization in Test sessions so official races stay calm and incident‑free.
  • Use replays and chase cam: if exits look loose, your setup might be too aggressive—go safer before you go faster.

When to Ask for Help (Gentle Community Push)

If setup management still feels confusing, you’re not alone—everyone wrestles with it at first. Many new iRacing drivers hang out in beginner-friendly Discord communities where they can share replays and ask quick questions. A couple of pointers on naming, what to keep, and what to delete can speed up your learning a lot.

FAQs About how to delete iracing setups in iRacing

  • Is deleting setups important for beginners?
    Yes. A tidy list makes it easier to pick a stable setup quickly, reduces mistakes, and helps you focus on driving lines and braking instead of file names.

  • Can I recover a setup I deleted?
    If you deleted it in Windows and haven’t emptied the Recycle Bin, you can restore it. In-sim deletes are permanent, so consider archiving to a backup folder first.

  • Can I delete fixed setups from a fixed series?
    No. Fixed setups are provided by iRacing for that session and can’t be removed. You can only delete files you personally saved in My Setups.

  • Where are my iRacing setups stored?
    Windows: Documents\iRacing\setups[Exact Car Name]*.sto. Each car has its own folder. Make sure you’re in the right car folder before deleting.

  • Do I need special tools or apps to manage setups?
    No. Use the in-sim Garage or Windows File Explorer. Third-party apps can help organize, but they’re optional for beginners.

Final Takeaways

  • Keep only a few clearly named setups per track: Baseline‑Safe, Race, and Q.
  • Delete or archive duplicates and outdated files to avoid loading the wrong setup.
  • Do your maintenance in Test sessions, not on the grid.
    Next session action: Spend five minutes cleaning one car’s setup folder and saving a “Baseline‑Safe.” You’ll feel calmer and more consistent immediately.

Optional Next Steps

  • Next: Beginner iRacing setup tips (naming, safe baseline tweaks, what to change first)
  • Or read: How iRacing series, sessions, and Safety Rating work (rookie-friendly overview)