Valorant, developed by Riot Games, is a popular first-person tactical shooter that has gained immense traction since its release. However, there may come a time when you want to uninstall the game—whether it’s to free up space, troubleshoot performance issues, or take a break. Uninstalling Valorant can be straightforward, but if you’re not familiar with the process, it might seem a bit tricky.
Why Uninstall Valorant?
Before diving into the uninstallation process, it’s essential to understand why someone might want to uninstall Valorant. While fun and exciting, the game can consume a significant amount of disk space and system resources. Some players uninstall it temporarily to make room for other programs or to troubleshoot performance issues. Others may uninstall it permanently if they no longer play the game.
Preparing to Uninstall Valorant
Before you begin, make sure you’ve closed the game completely. Uninstalling Valorant while it’s running could lead to errors. It’s also a good idea to back up any personal configurations or settings you want to keep, although most of these are stored in the cloud via Riot’s servers.
Uninstalling Valorant through Windows Settings
Using Windows’ “Add or Remove Programs” tool is the simplest approach to remove Valorant. Here’s how to do it:
- Press the Windows key and type “Add or Remove Programs.”
- Click on the Add or Remove Programs option that appears.
- Find Valorant by scrolling through the list of installed programs.
- Click on Valorant and then select Uninstall.
- To finish the procedure, adhere to the on-screen directions.
This method removes Valorant’s core files but does not remove Riot Vanguard, which we will address next.
How to Remove Riot Vanguard (Anti-Cheat)
Riot Vanguard is a crucial component of Valorant, as it prevents cheating. However, uninstalling Valorant does not automatically remove Vanguard; you must uninstall it separately.
Here’s how to uninstall Riot Vanguard:
- Press the Windows key and type “Add or Remove Programs.”
- Find Riot Vanguard in the list.
- Click on it and choose Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts to obliterate Vanguard.
Removing Riot Vanguard ensures no residual files are left behind after uninstalling Valorant.
Clearing Leftover Files and Folders
Even after uninstalling both Valorant and Riot Vanguard, some leftover files might remain on your system. These files won’t take up much space, but if you want a complete uninstall, removing them manually is a good idea.
To clear leftover files:
- Navigate to C:\Program Files\Riot Games\ using File Explorer.
- Delete the Valorant folder if it’s still present.
- Check the C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\ and C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Roaming\ folders for any remaining Valorant or Riot Games-related files and delete them.
Clearing these folders ensures that no files related to Valorant are left on your system.
Uninstalling Valorant Using the Control Panel
If you’re more comfortable using the Control Panel, you can also uninstall Valorant from there. Follow these steps:
- Press the Windows key and search for the Control Panel.
- Once open, navigate to Programs > Uninstall a Program.
- Scroll through the list until you find Valorant.
- Could you select it and click Uninstall?
- Follow the instructions to remove the game.
Uninstalling via the Control Panel is similar to the “Add or Remove Programs” method, ensuring all game files are removed.
Checking for Updates Before Uninstalling
Before uninstalling, ensure that your system is up-to-date. Riot Games occasionally releases patches or updates that could resolve any issues you are experiencing with Valorant. To check for updates:
- Open the Riot Games launcher.
- Let it check for any pending updates.
- If there are updates, consider downloading them to see if they resolve any problems.
Checking for updates ensures that you’re not uninstalling the game due to an issue that could easily be fixed.
Reinstalling Valorant After Uninstallation
If you change your mind and decide to reinstall Valorant, the process is simple: Visit the official Valorant website, download the game, and follow the installation prompts. The reinstall process will automatically include Riot Vanguard.
Reinstalling is straightforward, and you can jump back into the action once the game is downloaded and installed.
Common Issues Faced During Uninstallation
Sometimes, users may face issues when trying to uninstall Valorant, such as incomplete uninstalls or error messages. Here are some troubleshooting steps:
- Unable to uninstall through settings: Use a third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller to remove stubborn files.
- Error messages: Ensure no Riot-related processes are running in the background by checking Task Manager.
- Riot Vanguard won’t uninstall: Restart your computer and try again or remove it using a third-party tool.
Addressing these issues will help ensure a smooth uninstallation process.
Final Steps and Restarting Your PC
After you’ve completed the uninstallation, restarting your PC is a good idea. This clears any temporary files or processes running in the background and ensures your system is refreshed after the uninstallation.
Restarting your PC is the final step to ensuring everything related to Valorant has been entirely removed from your system.
Conclusion
Uninstalling Valorant may seem like a complicated process, but it’s straightforward and manageable with the proper steps. Whether you’re removing the game temporarily or permanently, this guide provides all the information needed to complete the task. Following these steps ensures that you remove all game files, Riot Vanguard, and any leftover data from your computer. If you decide to reinstall it in the future, the process will be as simple.