How To Uninstall Valorant On Pc – Complete Valorant Anti-Cheat Removal

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If you need to know how to uninstall Valorant on PC, you’ve come to the right place. Uninstalling Valorant completely from your system requires removing both the game client and its associated anti-cheat software. This guide will walk you through every step to ensure nothing is left behind.

Many players find they need to free up space, troubleshoot issues, or simply take a break from the game. A proper uninstallation is more than just removing the main program. We’ll cover the standard methods and the manual cleanup for a spotless removal.

How To Uninstall Valorant On Pc

This section provides the primary, step-by-step method for uninstalling the Valorant game client and the Riot Vanguard anti-cheat software. Following these steps in order is the best way to remove the core components.

Step 1: Close All Riot Processes

Before you begin, ensure the game and its clients are not running. Open your System Tray in the bottom-right corner of your Windows taskbar. Look for the Riot Vanguard icon (a red triangle) and the Riot Client icon. Right-click each one and select “Exit” or “Close.” This prevents any errors during the uninstall process.

Step 2: Uninstall Valorant Via Windows Settings

The most straightforward way to remove the game is through your system’s apps menu.

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start menu.
  2. Type “Apps & features” and open the system settings page.
  3. In the search bar within this menu, type “Valorant.”
  4. Click on the Valorant app in the list that appears.
  5. Select “Uninstall” and confirm any prompts that follow.
  6. Wait for the process to complete. The Riot Client may also be removed at this stage.

Step 3: Uninstall Riot Vanguard Separately

This is a crucial step many users miss. Vanguard is installed as a separate program and must be removed on its own.

  1. Return to the “Apps & features” settings page.
  2. This time, search for “Riot Vanguard.”
  3. Click on it and select “Uninstall.”
  4. Confirm the action. You may see a system prompt asking for administrator permission; accept it.
  5. A system restart might be requested after this uninstallation. It is recommended to proceed with the restart if asked.

Step 4: Restart Your Computer

After uninstalling both components, restart your PC. This ensures all associated services and processes are fully terminated. It also helps Windows clean up temporary files and prepares your system for any manual cleanup steps if needed.

Manual Cleanup For Complete Removal

Sometimes, leftover files and folders remain after a standard uninstall. If you want to ensure every trace of Valorant and Riot Vanguard is gone, follow these manual steps. This can help with freeing up extra disk space or resolving persistent software conflicts.

Delete Remaining Game Folders

Even after uninstalling, game directories can persist. You should check and remove these.

  • Open File Explorer and navigate to your primary drive (usually C:).
  • Go to `Program Files` and look for a folder named “Riot Games.” Delete the entire folder if it exists.
  • Also check `C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local`. Look for and delete folders named “Riot Games” and “VALORANT.” The AppData folder is hidden by default; you may need to enable “Hidden items” in the View tab of File Explorer.

Clean Up Registry Entries (Advanced)

Warning: Editing the Windows Registry can be risky. Create a system restore point or back up the registry before proceeding. Incorrect edits can cause system instability.

  1. Press Windows Key + R, type “regedit,” and press Enter.
  2. Navigate carefully to `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software` and look for “Riot Games” keys. Right-click and delete them.
  3. Next, go to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE` and again look for “Riot Games” entries. Delete any you find.
  4. Close the Registry Editor when finished. This step is often only necessary for troubleshooting deep-seated installation errors.

Remove Vanguard Driver Manually

In rare cases, the Vanguard anti-cheat driver might linger. To check and remove it:

  1. Right-click the Windows Start button and select “Device Manager.”
  2. In the Device Manager window, click “View” and select “Show hidden devices.”
  3. Expand the “System devices” category or “Non-Plug and Play Drivers” category.
  4. Look for any entry related to “Vanguard” or “vgk.” If you find one, right-click it and select “Uninstall device.” Check the box that says “Attempt to remove the driver for this device” if it appears, then confirm.

Why A Complete Uninstall Is Necessary

You might wonder why you can’t just delete the game’s shortcut. Valorant’s anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, operates at a very deep system level. It starts when your computer boots up and has extensive permissions. A partial removal can lead to issues.

Freeing Up Storage Space

Valorant and its associated files can take up more space than you think. A full uninstall can reclaim several gigabytes, which is useful for maintaining system performance and installing other software.

Resolving Software Conflicts

Riot Vanguard is known to sometimes conflict with other kernel-level drivers or security software. This can cause blue screens, crashes, or prevent other programs from running correctly. A thorough removal eliminates this potential source of conflict.

Preparing For A Clean Reinstall

If you plan to reinstall Valorant later, removing all files first ensures a fresh start. This can fix game corruption, update errors, or performance glitches that stem from damaged leftover files from the previous installation.

Alternative Uninstall Methods

If the primary method doesn’t work, or you prefer a different approach, here are two alternative ways to uninstall the software.

Using The Original Installer

If you have the original Riot Client installer, you can sometimes use it for repair or removal.

  1. Locate the installer file (usually named something like “RiotClientInstaller.exe”).
  2. Run the installer. It may detect your current installation and offer you options to “Repair” or “Uninstall.”
  3. Select the Uninstall option and follow the on-screen instructions.

Using Third-Party Uninstaller Software

Dedicated uninstaller programs can be effective for stubborn software. Tools like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller scan for leftovers after the standard uninstall process. They can help remove files, folders, and registry entries that Windows misses. Always download such tools from their official websites to avoid malware.

Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Problems

Sometimes, you might encounter errors when trying to remove Valorant. Here are solutions to frequent issues.

“You Do Not Have Sufficient Privileges” Error

This means you are not running the uninstaller as an administrator.

  • Close the error message.
  • Find the “Apps & features” menu again, but this time right-click the Windows Start button and select “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” or “Command Prompt (Admin).”
  • Try running the uninstall from this elevated command line, or ensure you click “Yes” on any User Account Control pop-ups when uninstalling from settings.

Vanguard Preventing Its Own Removal

Since Vanguard runs at startup, it can block its uninstallation. To fix this, you need to disable it from starting up.

  1. Open the System Tray and right-click the Vanguard icon (red triangle). Select “Exit.”
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. Go to the “Startup” tab.
  3. Look for any Vanguard entry, right-click it, and select “Disable.”
  4. Restart your computer. Vanguard should not load, allowing you to uninstall it normally from Apps & features.

Leftover Files Causing Reinstall Issues

If a new install fails, old files are likely interfering. You must perform the manual cleanup steps outlined earlier. Pay special attention to the `AppData` local folders and the `Program Files` directory. After deleting these, run the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to clear temporary files before attempting to install again.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do I Uninstall Valorant And Vanguard?

You uninstall them as two separate programs. First, uninstall “Valorant” from Windows Apps & features. Second, in the same menu, find and uninstall “Riot Vanguard.” Finally, restart your computer.

Is It Safe To Uninstall Riot Vanguard?

Yes, it is safe to uninstall Riot Vanguard. It is only required to play Valorant. Removing it will not harm your system and may resolve conflicts with other software. You can always reinstall it later if you reinstall the game.

Why Can’t I Uninstall Valorant?

Common reasons include not having administrator rights, the game or Vanguard processes still running in the background, or a corrupted installation. Ensure you close all Riot software from the system tray, run the uninstaller as an administrator, and follow the troubleshooting steps above.

Does Uninstalling Valorant Delete My Settings?

Your in-game settings and keybindings are often stored in the cloud linked to your Riot account. However, local configuration files in the `AppData` folder will be deleted if you perform a manual cleanup. Your account progress and unlocked items are saved online.

How To Remove Valorant From A Second Drive?

If you installed Valorant on a drive other than C:, the uninstall process from Apps & features should still remove it correctly. Afterward, check that drive’s root folder for any remaining “Riot Games” directory and delete it manually to free up the space.