If you have reached this point, you have probably decided to take a break from Riot Games' FPS or need a clean installation to fix bugs.
To move forward, you need to know how to uninstall Valorant completely so you don't leave useless files taking up space on your SSD.
The process seems simple, but because of Riot Vanguard (the anti-cheat system), many people end up encountering errors or files that refuse to leave.
I have prepared this ultimate guide to clear everything from your PC without a headache.
How to uninstall Valorant via Windows settings?
The most common way to remove the game is through the operating system's native settings, but there is a secret: you cannot uninstall the game if Vanguard is running.
Vanguard is a kernel-level driver that starts with Windows. If you try to remove Valorant with the anti-cheat active, the system might block the action. Follow these steps for a safe standard removal:
- Go to the System Tray (the arrow icon near the clock in the bottom right corner).
- Find the Riot Vanguard icon, right-click, and select Exit Vanguard.
- Confirm that you want to close the program.
- Press the Windows key and type Add or remove programs.
- In the list, look for Valorant and click Uninstall.
- Now, look for Riot Vanguard in the same list and click Uninstall. It is essential to remove both separately.
Why does Riot Vanguard prevent uninstallation?
Vanguard is known for being stubborn because it operates at a deep layer of the computer to detect cheats. If it is protecting game files, Windows will not be able to delete the folders.
Many players report that even after clicking uninstall, nothing happens. This usually occurs because the Riot Client is still open in the background or Vanguard is still monitoring processes. If the traditional method fails, you will need to force close everything via Task Manager before trying again.
Also read: Is Valorant Crossplay? PC and Consoles
How to uninstall Valorant manually via CMD?
If the Windows control panel failed and you still see the game installed, the Command Prompt (CMD) is your best friend.
This method is more technical, but it removes the system services that are locking the uninstallation.
- Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.
- In the console, type sc delete vgc and press Enter.
- Then, type sc delete vgk and press Enter.
- Restart your computer immediately. This is mandatory so the drivers stop loading.
- After restarting, go to the folder C:\Program Files\ and delete the Riot Vanguard folder manually.
- Repeat the Valorant uninstallation process through the Control Panel, which should now work without resistance.
How to remove residual Valorant files?
Uninstalling the program does not mean your PC is 100% clean. Riot usually leaves cache folders and logs hidden in system directories.
If you want true free space, you need to do a manual cleanup.
- Press Windows + R, type %localappdata%, and hit Enter. Delete the Riot Games folder and the VALORANT folder.
- Press Windows + R again, type %programdata%, and look for any Riot folders to delete.
- Check the root folder where you installed the game (usually C:\Riot Games) and delete everything left there.
Remember to empty the Recycle Bin after these steps to ensure the gigabytes are actually released.
Can you uninstall Valorant on consoles (Xbox/PS5)?
Yes, and fortunately it is much simpler than on PC, as we don't have to deal with manual kernel drivers like Vanguard.
On Xbox Series X|S:
- Go to My games & apps.
- Highlight the Valorant icon.
- Press the Menu button (the three lines on the controller).
- Select Uninstall and confirm with Uninstall all.
On PlayStation 5:
- Navigate to Valorant on your home screen or Game Library.
- Press the Options button.
- Select Delete and confirm.
Also read: How to Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Fortnite
What to do if the Riot Client won't uninstall?
Sometimes Valorant is gone, but the Riot Client stays there, loud and proud. This happens because the Client is a separate platform that manages other games like League of Legends or Teamfight Tactics.
To remove the Client for good, you must ensure that all Riot games have been uninstalled first. If there are no more titles installed and it persists, the way is to delete the installation folder directly in C:\Riot Games\Riot Client and clear the %localappdata% data, as mentioned before.
If you are uninstalling because of lag or routing issues, maybe the problem isn't the game, but your connection. Before giving up, it might be worth testing an optimization solution.
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