So You Want to Escape the Valorant Triangle? A (Mostly) Painless Guide to Uninstalling
Ah, Valorant. The game that brings out the tactical genius in some, and the rage-inducing frustration in others. Maybe you've climbed the ranks to Radiant and are ready for a new challenge (like, you know, touching grass). Or perhaps, you just can't seem to escape Iron, and your teammates are starting to resemble malfunctioning toasters (don't worry, we've all been there). Whatever your reason, you've decided to uninstall Valorant and venture into the great unknown (hopefully a world filled with sunshine and fewer one-taps).
But hold on to your Killjoy nanoswarms, uninstalling Valorant isn't as straightforward as dodging a Jett dash. Fear not, fellow gamer, for I, your friendly neighborhood guide (who may or may not have uninstalled the game in a fit of post-match tilt), am here to walk you through the process.
Step 1: Disable the Vanguard (Unless You Want a Fight)
Think of Vanguard, Valorant's anti-cheat system, as a super-serious bouncer at a club. It checks everyone coming in and out, making sure nobody's sneaking in any aimbot cocktails. But before you uninstall Valorant, you gotta get past the bouncer. Luckily, it's a chill bouncer (most of the time).
- Right-click the little Vanguard icon in your system tray (that's the area by the clock in the bottom right corner of your screen).
- Click on the ever-so-subtle option that says "Exit Vanguard."
Congratulations, you've bypassed the bouncer! (Although, if he catches you uninstalling the game, he might give you a disapproving look. Don't worry, it's just a look).
Step 2: Buh-Bye Valorant, It's Been...Interesting
Now that you're safely past the bouncer, it's time for the main event: uninstalling Valorant.
There are two main ways to do this, pick your poison:
- The Classic Control Panel Caper: This method involves wrestling with the slightly outdated Control Panel (think of it as the grandpa of computer settings). Here's the rundown:
- Search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar.
- Navigate to "Programs" and then the thrilling "Uninstall a program" section.
- Find Valorant in the list (it might be hiding behind other games, so keep your eyes peeled).
- Click on the uninstall button and follow any on-screen instructions.
- The Modern Apps & features Melee: This option utilizes the fancy new settings menu in Windows 10 and 11.
- Open the Settings app (it's the gear icon in your Start menu).
- Click on "Apps" and then "Apps & features."
- Find Valorant in the list and, you guessed it, click uninstall.
Pro tip: No matter which method you choose, make sure you restart your computer after uninstalling to make sure everything is gone.
Step 3: Cleaning Up the Crime Scene (Optional)
Sometimes, uninstalling a program leaves behind leftover files, like those pesky Phoenix flames that linger after a Hot Hands. If you're a digital clean freak, you can take these extra steps:
- Search for any leftover Valorant folders in your Program Files and LocalAppData folders. Delete them with extreme prejudice (or by right-clicking and selecting delete, whichever you prefer).
- Run a disk cleanup to remove any temporary files Valorant might have left behind.
Congratulations! You've Successfully Escaped the Valorant Triangle
You've done it! You're free from the clutches of Valorant (for now, at least). Now you can explore the vast landscape of other games, or maybe even take a break from gaming altogether and, gasp, go outside! But remember, if you ever feel the urge to return to the world of tactical shooters and questionable fashion choices, the path back to Valorant is always open. Just don't be surprised if your aim has gotten a bit rusty after all that fresh air.
