Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical shooter, has become one of the most popular first-person games worldwide. However, some players eventually decide to remove it from their PC. The reasons may vary, whether it’s to free up storage space, resolve performance issues, or take a break from competitive matches.
In this article, we will explain how to uninstall Valorant safely. You’ll also learn how to completely remove Riot Vanguard (the anti-cheat software), clear residual files, and troubleshoot any errors you might face during uninstallation.
Why Players Uninstall Valorant
Understanding why users uninstall Valorant helps in deciding the best method to remove it. While the game is lightweight compared to other shooters, issues related to performance, updates, or system conflicts can push players to uninstall.
- Performance Issues: Some players report lag, crashes, or high CPU usage caused by Vanguard.
- Storage Space: Valorant and Riot Vanguard take up around 20–25 GB combined, which may be needed for other applications.
- Technical Errors: Update failures, launcher bugs, or installation corruption can force reinstallation.
- Personal Choice: Players may simply want to switch to another game or take a break.
How Riot Vanguard Affects Uninstallation
One of the unique things about Valorant is its anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard. Unlike traditional software, Vanguard runs at the kernel level of Windows, starting automatically when your PC boots. This makes removing Valorant slightly more complex than uninstalling regular games.
- Vanguard prevents deletion unless it is stopped first.
- It runs as a background service even when Valorant isn’t open.
- Removing Valorant without removing Vanguard can leave unwanted files.
That’s why, when learning how to uninstall Valorant, it is crucial to remove both the game and Riot Vanguard.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Uninstall Valorant on Windows
Here’s the simplest and safest way to uninstall Valorant completely:
1. Stop Riot Vanguard from Running
- Go to your system tray (bottom-right corner of Windows).
- Right-click on the Vanguard icon.
- Select Exit Vanguard.
This ensures the anti-cheat system doesn’t interfere with the uninstallation.
2. Open Control Panel or Settings
- On Windows 10: Press Win + S, type Control Panel, and open it.
- On Windows 11: Use Settings > Apps > Installed Apps.
3. Uninstall Riot Vanguard
- Find Riot Vanguard in the program list.
- Right-click and select Uninstall.
- Confirm when prompted.
4. Uninstall Valorant
- Go back to the list of installed programs.
- Locate Valorant.
- Click Uninstall and follow the steps.
5. Restart Your PC
A restart ensures that all system-level drivers linked to Vanguard are removed.
How to Delete Leftover Valorant Files
Sometimes, uninstalling via Control Panel doesn’t remove everything. Leftover files can take up storage or conflict with future installations. Here’s how to clear them:
-
Check Program Files
- Navigate to: C:\Program Files\Riot Games
- Delete any Valorant or Vanguard folders.
-
Clear AppData
- Press Win + R, type %appdata%, and hit Enter.
- Look for Riot Games or Valorant folders and delete them.
-
Clear Temporary Files
- Press Win + R, type %temp%, and delete all temporary files.
Troubleshooting: Common Uninstall Issues
Sometimes, players encounter errors when trying to uninstall Valorant. Here are the most common problems and fixes:
- Valorant or Vanguard is not showing in the Control Panel
- Solution: Use the Riot Client to uninstall directly.
- The uninstall button is greyed out
- Solution: Make sure Vanguard is fully disabled before trying again.
- Files are not being deleted due to permission errors
- Solution: Run Windows in Safe Mode and delete files manually.
- The game keeps reinstalling Vanguard
- Solution: Delete Riot Client completely and reinstall if needed.
These solutions help ensure you don’t get stuck halfway through the uninstallation process.
How to Uninstall Valorant Using Command Prompt
Advanced users sometimes prefer using Command Prompt to uninstall programs, especially if the Control Panel fails.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type:
sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk
- This removes Vanguard services from your system.
- After that, manually delete Valorant files from Program Files.
This method is more technical but effective when traditional uninstallation fails.
Should You Reinstall Valorant Later?
Uninstalling Valorant doesn’t mean you can’t play again. Many players uninstall temporarily to fix errors or free up space. If you choose to reinstall:
- Download the official Riot Client from Riot Games’ website.
- Install Vanguard along with the game.
- Ensure no leftover files conflict with the fresh installation.
A clean reinstall often fixes lag, crashes, or update issues that players face.
Alternatives to Uninstalling Valorant
Sometimes players want to take a break but don’t want to uninstall completely. In such cases, consider these alternatives:
- Disable Vanguard temporarily if you want to stop background services.
- Unpin Valorant from your desktop or taskbar to avoid quick access.
- Pause updates by disabling auto-start in Riot Client settings.
This way, you don’t lose your data but can still reduce Valorant’s presence on your PC.
Community Insights on Uninstalling Valorant
Many players discuss uninstalling Valorant on Reddit and gaming forums. The common opinion is that Vanguard’s kernel-level permissions are the main reason for hesitation. Some feel uncomfortable with a program running in the background constantly.
Others uninstall to fix update failures or corrupted game files, only to reinstall later for a smoother experience. These community discussions show that uninstalling Valorant is often temporary rather than permanent.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been wondering how to uninstall Valorant, the process is straightforward when done correctly. Removing both Valorant and Riot Vanguard ensures your system is free of residual files. For a thorough cleanup, deleting leftover folders and temporary files is also recommended.
Instead of struggling with incomplete uninstalls or system errors, following this guide helps you remove Valorant safely and completely. Whether you’re uninstalling to fix issues, free up space, or simply move on to other games, you can always reinstall later with a clean slate.
