Uninstalling Valorant: A Comprehensive Guide

Valorant, Riot Games’ tactical-fire shooter, has taken the esports world by storm. However, as with any software, there may come a time when you need to uninstall it. Whether you’re freeing up disk space, troubleshooting issues, or simply moving on to other gaming ventures, the uninstallation process is straightforward. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure a clean removal of Valorant and its associated Riot Vanguard anti-cheat software from your system.

Understanding the Uninstallation Process

Uninstalling Valorant involves more than just deleting the game’s main executable. Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat system, runs at a kernel level and requires a separate uninstallation process to be fully removed. Failing to properly uninstall Vanguard can lead to persistent issues and system conflicts. Therefore, it’s crucial to follow the steps meticulously to ensure a complete and clean slate.

Valorant is known for its robust anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard, which is designed to prevent cheating and maintain fair gameplay. This system operates with high privileges, making its complete removal essential when uninstalling the game.

Step-by-Step Uninstallation

The uninstallation process can be divided into two main parts: uninstalling the Riot Client and then uninstalling Valorant itself.

Uninstalling the Riot Client

The Riot Client is the central hub for all of Riot Games’ titles, including Valorant. Uninstalling it will also remove Valorant and any other Riot games installed through it.

* **Open the Control Panel:** Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open it.
* **Navigate to Programs and Features:** Under the “Programs” category, click on “Uninstall a program.”
* **Locate Riot Client:** Find “Riot Client” in the list of installed programs.
* **Uninstall:** Right-click on “Riot Client” and select “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Uninstalling Valorant

Once the Riot Client is uninstalled, Valorant itself should be removed. However, it’s good practice to verify and ensure no residual files remain.

* **Check Game Folders:** Navigate to the directory where Valorant was installed (usually in `C:Riot GamesValorant`). Delete any remaining Valorant folders.
* **Restart Your Computer:** A restart is often necessary to finalize the uninstallation process and clear any active processes.

Removing Riot Vanguard

Riot Vanguard is a critical component to remove for a clean uninstall. It often has its own uninstaller or can be removed through the Riot Client’s settings before the client itself is uninstalled. If you’ve already uninstalled the Riot Client, you might need to manually remove Vanguard.

* **Accessing Vanguard Uninstaller:**
* Open the Riot Client (if still installed).
* Go to Settings.
* Find Valorant, and there should be an option to uninstall Vanguard.
* If the Riot Client is already uninstalled, search for “Riot Vanguard” in your program files and look for an uninstaller.

* **Manual Removal (if necessary):**
* Press `Windows Key + R` to open the Run dialog.
* Type `services.msc` and press Enter.
* Locate “Riot Vanguard” in the Services window.
* Right-click on it and select “Stop.”
* After stopping the service, navigate to `C:Program FilesRiot Vanguard` and delete the folder.

Riot Vanguard’s kernel-level access means it starts with your operating system. Proper uninstallation is key to preventing potential conflicts with other software or system processes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, the standard uninstallation process might encounter errors. Here are a few common issues and their solutions:

* **Riot Vanguard Service Not Stopping:** If the Vanguard service won’t stop, try disabling it in `services.msc` first, then attempt to stop it again. A system restart might also be required.
* **Uninstaller Not Found:** If you can’t find the Riot Client or Valorant in “Programs and Features,” you may need to manually delete the game folders from your `Riot Games` directory.
* **Residual Files:** After uninstallation, it’s wise to run a disk cleanup or use a third-party uninstaller tool to ensure all temporary files and registry entries are removed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Will uninstalling Valorant remove Riot Vanguard?

A1: Yes, the standard uninstall process through the Riot Client should remove both. However, it’s always good to verify and manually remove if necessary.

Q2: Can I reinstall Valorant after uninstalling it?

A2: Absolutely. You can download the Riot Client again from the official Valorant website and reinstall the game.

Q3: What if I encounter an error during uninstallation?

A3: Try restarting your computer and attempting the uninstallation again. If the problem persists, consult Riot Games’ support website for specific troubleshooting steps.

Q4: Does uninstalling Valorant affect my Riot account?

A4: No, uninstalling the game does not affect your Riot account. Your account information and progress are stored on Riot’s servers.

Post-Uninstallation Cleanup

After successfully uninstalling Valorant and Riot Vanguard, it’s a good habit to perform a quick cleanup of any leftover files or registry entries.

* **Disk Cleanup:** Use Windows’ built-in Disk Cleanup tool to remove temporary files.
* **Registry Editor (Advanced Users):** For advanced users, carefully using the Registry Editor (`regedit`) to search for and remove any remaining Valorant or Riot-related keys can ensure a truly clean system. **Caution:** Incorrect modifications to the registry can cause system instability.

By following these steps, you can ensure that Valorant and its associated anti-cheat software are completely removed from your computer, leaving your system clean and free of unnecessary files.

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**Reference:**
* [Riot Games Support](https://support-valorant.riotgames.com/)