So You Want Valorant on a Different Drive? Let's Dodge That Download Disaster!
Let's face it, friends, cramming Valorant onto your C drive can feel like trying to fit your entire wardrobe into a fanny pack. Storage space is precious, especially when you need room for, you know, actual necessities (like that meme folder that's definitely not taking up 50 GB). But fear not, fellow gamer, for I bring you the glorious guide to installing Valorant on a different drive!
Fresh Start, New Drive: Installing Valorant From Scratch
This method's perfect if you haven't wrestled the download beast yet. Here's how to avoid a C drive meltdown:
- Download the Valorant Installer: Head over to the official Valorant website (because, you know, random internet downloads are a recipe for disaster).
- Choose Your Weapon (er, Drive): Before you hit that glorious "Install" button, keep your eyes peeled for the "Advanced Options". This is your secret weapon, allowing you to choose where Valorant calls home. Browse to your desired drive and BAM! New digs for your digital shooting sprees.
- Kick Back and Relax (Maybe): The download might take a while depending on your internet speed, so brew some coffee, catch up on those memes, or contemplate the existential dread of having limited storage space in the first place.
Pro Tip: Make sure the new drive has enough free space to house Valorant and all its fancy future updates. You don't want to be stuck in download purgatory again!
The "Oh No, I Already Installed It" Method: Moving Valorant with Finesse
Maybe you already have Valorant chilling on your C drive. No worries, we can still salvage the situation! But be warned, this method requires a tad more finesse than the fresh install.
- Backup Time! Just in case things go sideways (because Murphy's Law is a jerk), it's wise to back up your Valorant settings and game data. Google-fu it for specifics, but it usually involves some folder wrangling.
- The Great Folder Migration: Locate the Valorant and Riot Client folders in your current location (usually Program Files). Carefully cut and paste them to your new drive.
- Editing Fun (Maybe Not): Here's the slightly technical bit. You'll need to edit a file called "RiotClientInstalls.json" (located in ProgramData). Find the line mentioning Valorant's install path and change it to reflect the new location.
- Fingers Crossed, Launcher Opened: Boot up the Riot Client and pray to the internet gods that everything works. If it does, high five yourself for being a tech whiz!
Important Note: Editing system files can be tricky, so proceed with caution. If you're not comfortable with this step, consider the fresh install method for peace of mind.
FAQ - Conquering Valorant's Drive Dilemmas
How to choose a new drive for Valorant?
Look for a drive with enough free space and decent read/write speeds. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are ideal for faster loading times, but Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) can work too (though with potentially slower performance).
How to check my free drive space?
Open "File Explorer" and right-click on your desired drive. Select "Properties" and voila! Free space displayed in all its glory.
How long does it take to download Valorant?
Download times vary depending on your internet speed. Buckle up for a wait if you're rocking dial-up (seriously, upgrade that thing!).
How to uninstall Valorant completely?
Head over to your Control Panel, find Valorant in the "Programs and Features" section, and click "Uninstall." Easy peasy!
How to show hidden folders (for editing "RiotClientInstalls.json")?
Open "File Explorer," click "View," and check the box for "Hidden items." Now you can see all the sneaky system folders.
There you have it, folks! With these tips, you can conquer Valorant's storage woes and dominate the competition (or at least not get disqualified for exceeding C drive capacity). Now go forth and frag with reckless abandon (on the correct drive, of course)!
