So, you've already taken the crucial first step and removed Riot Vanguard, Valorant's notoriously persistent anti-cheat software. Excellent work! Many users find this to be the trickiest part of the Valorant uninstallation process. But even with Vanguard gone, Valorant can leave behind some digital footprints that might clutter your system. Don't worry, we're going to embark on a comprehensive journey to ensure every last trace of Valorant is banished from your PC, step by meticulous step.
Let's get your system squeaky clean!
The Definitive Guide to Uninstalling Valorant (After Vanguard is Gone)
This guide will walk you through various methods, from the standard Windows uninstallation to a deeper dive into leftover files and even an optional registry cleanup. We'll ensure you have all the tools and knowledge to completely purge Valorant from your computer.
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| How To Uninstall Valorant After Uninstalling Vanguard |
Step 1: Confirm Riot Client and Valorant are Not Running
Before we do anything else, let's make absolutely sure that Valorant and any associated Riot processes aren't running in the background. This is a critical first step to prevent errors during uninstallation.
Sub-heading: Checking the System Tray
Look for the Riot Games icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, usually near the clock). If you see a red Riot Games or Valorant icon, right-click on it and select "Exit Riot Client" or a similar option. Confirm any prompts.
Sub-heading: Using Task Manager
Even if you don't see an icon in the system tray, it's a good practice to check Task Manager.
Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open Task Manager.In the "Processes" tab, look for anything related to Valorant, Riot Games, or Riot Client.
If you find any, select the process and click "End Task." Repeat this for all relevant processes.
You might also want to check the "Startup" tab (if you're on Windows 10/11) and disable any Riot-related entries to prevent them from launching automatically.
Step 2: Uninstall Valorant Through Windows Settings or Control Panel
Now that we've confirmed nothing is actively running, let's proceed with the main uninstallation.
QuickTip: Read line by line if it’s complex.
Sub-heading: Method A: Using Windows Settings (Windows 10/11)
This is generally the easiest and most straightforward method.
Press
Windows Key + Ito open Settings.Click on "Apps", then select "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features" depending on your Windows version).
Scroll down the list or use the search bar to find "VALORANT."
Click on it, then select "Uninstall."
Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstallation. This will initiate Valorant's dedicated uninstaller.
Sub-heading: Method B: Using Control Panel (All Windows Versions)
This method offers an alternative if you prefer the traditional approach or if Method A encounters issues.
Press
Windows Key + R, typeControl Panel, and pressEnter.Click on "Programs", then select "Uninstall a program" (or "Programs and Features").
Locate "VALORANT" in the list of installed programs.
Right-click on it and choose "Uninstall."
Follow the instructions provided by the uninstaller.
Step 3: Reboot Your PC
This step is crucial! After uninstalling Valorant, even if you previously uninstalled Vanguard, a restart helps clear any lingering temporary files and processes, and ensures that the system registers the changes.
Step 4: Delete Leftover Files and Folders
Even after using the official uninstaller, some residual files and folders might remain. We'll manually remove these to ensure a clean sweep.
Sub-heading: Deleting Main Game Directories
Open File Explorer (Windows Key + E).
Navigate to your main drive, typically
C:Look for a folder named "Riot Games" (it might be in "Program Files" or "Program Files (x86)").
If you find it, right-click on the "Riot Games" folder and select "Delete."
Confirm the deletion if prompted.
Sub-heading: Cleaning Up AppData Folders
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
These folders often contain user-specific data, caches, and logs that aren't removed by standard uninstallers.
Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog.Type
%appdata%and pressEnter. This will open the Roaming folder.Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it if present.
Now, in the address bar of File Explorer, click on "AppData" (next to "Roaming").
Open the "Local" folder.
Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it if present.
Repeat this for
%ProgramData%(type%programdata%in the Run dialog). Look for "Riot Games" and delete it.
Step 5: (Optional) Clean Up Registry Entries
Proceed with caution here! The Windows Registry is a vital database for your operating system. Incorrectly modifying it can lead to system instability. If you're uncomfortable with this step, you can skip it. However, a registry cleanup ensures a truly thorough uninstallation.
Sub-heading: Manual Registry Cleanup (Advanced Users)
Press
Windows Key + R, typeregedit, and pressEnter.Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following paths. You'll need to manually browse through them and delete any folders related to "Riot Games," "Valorant," or "Riot Client."
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\(for 64-bit systems)HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Software\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\(Look forvgcandvgkand delete them if present, though these should have been removed with Vanguard).
To delete a folder, right-click on it and select "Delete." Be extremely careful not to delete anything unrelated to Riot Games or Valorant. If you're unsure, it's better to leave it.
Sub-heading: Using a Third-Party Registry Cleaner (Recommended for Most Users)
For a safer and more automated approach, consider using a reputable third-party registry cleaner like CCleaner (free version available) or similar tools.
Download and install a reliable registry cleaner.
Run the "Registry Cleaner" or "Scan for Issues" feature.
Review the identified issues and allow the program to fix them. Most good cleaners will offer to back up your registry before making changes, which is highly recommended.
Step 6: Empty Your Recycle Bin
After deleting all those files, don't forget to empty your Recycle Bin to free up the disk space permanently! Right-click on your Recycle Bin icon on the desktop and select "Empty Recycle Bin."
Congratulations!
You have now successfully and thoroughly uninstalled Valorant from your PC, even after having previously dealt with Riot Vanguard. Your system should be free of any lingering game files or associated anti-cheat components.
QuickTip: Skim the intro, then dive deeper.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions related to uninstalling Valorant:
How to check if Valorant is completely uninstalled?
You can check by trying to find "Valorant" or "Riot Games" in your "Installed apps" or "Programs and Features" list, and by searching for "Riot Games" folders in C:\Program Files, %appdata%, %localappdata%, and %programdata%. If no results appear, it's likely gone.
How to uninstall Valorant if it's giving an error message?
Error messages usually mean a background process is still running. First, close all Riot/Valorant processes via Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc). Then, try uninstalling through Windows Settings or Control Panel again. If that fails, a manual uninstallation via Command Prompt might be necessary (see below for Riot Vanguard commands, and adapt for Valorant if needed, though usually standard uninstallers work for the main game).
How to manually remove Riot Vanguard if the uninstaller fails?
Open Command Prompt as administrator (search for cmd, right-click, "Run as administrator"). Type sc delete vgc and press Enter, then type sc delete vgk and press Enter. Restart your PC. Then, delete the C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard folder.
How to ensure no residual files are left behind?
Follow Step 4 of the guide above: check C:\Program Files\Riot Games, %appdata%\Riot Games, %localappdata%\Riot Games, and %programdata%\Riot Games and manually delete any remaining folders.
How to reinstall Valorant after a clean uninstall?
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
Simply visit the official Valorant website (playvalorant.com), download the installer, and follow the on-screen instructions. Your progress is saved to your Riot account, so you won't lose anything.
How to find the Riot Games installation directory?
By default, it's usually C:\Riot Games or within C:\Program Files\Riot Games. If you customized the installation location, you'd need to remember where you put it.
How to uninstall Valorant without uninstalling Riot Vanguard?
You can uninstall Valorant via Windows Settings or Control Panel. Riot Vanguard is a separate program and needs to be uninstalled separately using the same methods (Settings > Apps > Installed apps, or Control Panel > Programs and Features).
How to fix "Riot Client is running" error during uninstallation?
This error means the Riot Client is still active. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find any Riot Client or Valorant processes, and "End Task" them. Then, try uninstalling Valorant again.
How to stop Riot Client from starting automatically?
Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), go to the "Startup" tab, find "Riot Client," and click "Disable." You can also open the Riot Client, go to Settings (usually a gear icon or profile icon), and uncheck "Open Riot Client on startup" or similar options.
How to completely remove Valorant from my PC without using any third-party tools?
You can achieve this by following all steps in this guide, specifically focusing on the manual deletion of leftover files (Step 4) and the manual registry cleanup (Step 5, if you're comfortable).
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