Valorant enthusiasts may sometimes need to uninstall the game for a variety of reasons—whether it’s to resolve technical issues, free up space, or simply take a break. Whatever your motivations, correctly uninstalling Valorant goes beyond simply dragging the application into the trash or hitting the “uninstall” button in your system’s settings. In this comprehensive guide, we explain how to uninstall Valorant fully and effectively, ensuring all traces of the game and its associated anti-cheat software are removed from your computer.
Why Uninstalling Valorant Can Be Complex
Riot Games’ Valorant is not just a regular game—it includes Vanguard, a proprietary anti-cheat software that loads during your system’s startup. To properly uninstall Valorant, you must also remove Vanguard, as it embeds itself deeply within your system files. If Vanguard isn’t uninstalled, remnants of the game can linger, potentially causing issues like failed reinstallation attempts or reduced computer performance.
This step-by-step guide will walk you through the full uninstallation process for both Valorant and Vanguard to ensure no residual files are left behind.
How to Uninstall Valorant and Its Components from Your System
Step 1: Close Valorant and Vanguard Processes
Before beginning the uninstallation process, make sure both Valorant and its anti-cheat software, Vanguard, are not actively running on your system. Follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows).
- Look for any processes labeled “Valorant” or “Vanguard.”
- Right-click each process and select End Task to terminate them.
Stopping these processes ensures that you won’t encounter interruptions when uninstalling the software.
Step 2: Uninstall Vanguard (Anti-Cheat System)
Riot Games’ Vanguard is a crucial component of Valorant that must be removed separately before deleting the game itself. Failing to do so could leave persistent files that interfere with future installations or negatively impact your computer. Here’s how to do it:
- Open the Start Menu and search for “Add or Remove Programs.”
- Scroll down the list of installed programs and locate Riot Vanguard.
- Click on Riot Vanguard and then select Uninstall.
- Wait for the process to complete.
This step effectively removes all Vanguard-related files, such as Kernel drivers, ensuring a clean system.
Step 3: Uninstall the Valorant Game Client
Once you’ve successfully removed Vanguard, you can proceed with uninstalling the Valorant game client itself:
- In the same Add or Remove Programs menu, locate Valorant in the list of installed software.
- Click on the program and then select Uninstall.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
At this point, both the game and its accompanying software will be completely removed from your system.
Step 4: Manually Delete Leftover Files
Even after uninstalling, some residual files may still remain within your PC. These can include caches, logs, or temporary files stored in system folders. To ensure how to uninstall Valorant fully is completed, manually delete leftover files by following these steps:
- Press Win + R to open the Run Command box.
- Type
%appdata%and press Enter. - Navigate to folders related to Riot Games or Valorant and delete them.
- Go back to the Run Command box, and this time type
%localappdata%. - Repeat the process of finding and deleting any associated Valorant files.
Step 5: Restart Your Computer
After removing all files, restart your computer to ensure all processes and services associated with Valorant and Vanguard are completely terminated. This step refreshes your system and prevents residual operations from running in the background.
Bonus Tips for Reinstalling Valorant in the Future
If you plan to reinstall Valorant, ensuring a clean uninstallation guarantees a smooth reinstallation experience. Here’s how you can prepare:
- Visit the official Valorant website to download the latest game installer.
- Ensure that your PC meets the system requirements to avoid any compatibility issues.
- Regularly update your operating system and graphics drivers to improve performance.
By following this guide, you’ll avoid common issues like error codes during installation or startup problems caused by leftover Vanguard files.
Solving Common Issues During the Uninstallation Process
Issue 1: “Uninstall Error: Vanguard Still Running”
This error typically occurs when Vanguard is still active in the background. Follow these steps:
- Open Task Manager and make sure to terminate all Vanguard-related processes.
- Disable Vanguard from starting up automatically. To do this, open the Services menu (via the Start Menu), locate “Vanguard,” right-click, and select Stop.
Issue 2: “Residual Files Prevent Reinstallation”
Even after removing Valorant and Vanguard, some users report being unable to reinstall the game due to leftover files. To resolve this:
- Use dedicated cleanup tools like CCleaner to scan for residual registry entries and files.
- Manually search for Riot Games-related folders in your system directories and delete them.
Issue 3: “Vanguard Service Missing After Reinstallation”
During reinstallation, the game may fail to load Vanguard. To fix this:
- Manually download Vanguard using the Riot Client or the official Valorant support site.
- Ensure you install the service with full administrator rights.
Such proactive troubleshooting drastically improves your uninstallation or reinstallation progress.
Wrapping Up the Complete Guide to Uninstalling Valorant
Ensuring an effective Valorant uninstallation involves more than just removing the game client; it necessitates addressing Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat system and removing residual files manually. By following the step-by-step instructions in this guide on how to uninstall Valorant, you can reclaim your system space without future performance issues.
For additional insights, performance tips, or guides about the Valorant ecosystem, explore discussion threads on the Valorant subreddit or visit trusted resources like allvalorant.gg for the latest news.
Frequently Asked Questions about Valorant
How can I uninstall Valorant from my PC?
To uninstall Valorant from your PC, follow these steps:
1. Open the Windows Start Menu and search for ‘Control Panel.’
2. Navigate to ‘Programs’ > ‘Programs and Features.’
3. Scroll down the list until you find ‘Riot Vanguard’ and ‘Valorant.’
4. Right-click on ‘Riot Vanguard’ and select ‘Uninstall.’ Confirm the action when prompted.
5. Then, do the same for ‘Valorant.’
After completing these steps, both Valorant and its anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard, will be fully removed from your system.
Does uninstalling Riot Vanguard also uninstall Valorant?
No, uninstalling Riot Vanguard only removes the anti-cheat software. To completely remove Valorant from your system, you must also uninstall the Valorant game itself. Follow the steps above to ensure both are fully uninstalled.
Will uninstalling Valorant delete my game progress?
Uninstalling Valorant will not delete your game progress, as all your data is stored on Riot Games’ servers. If you choose to reinstall the game later, your account, stats, and progress will still be available by signing in with your Riot Games account.
How do I reinstall Valorant after uninstalling it?
To reinstall Valorant after uninstalling it, visit the official Valorant website (https://playvalorant.com/) and download the installer. Run the installation file, follow the on-screen instructions, and log in with your Riot Games account to restore your game.
Why is Valorant not uninstalling properly?
If Valorant or Riot Vanguard is not uninstalling properly, try the following:
1. Restart your computer and attempt the uninstallation again.
2. Use a third-party uninstaller to forcibly remove the game and its components.
3. If the issue persists, contact Riot Games Support for assistance.
Can I uninstall Valorant but keep Riot Vanguard?
No, Riot Vanguard is essential for running Valorant, and it typically uninstalls alongside the game. If you choose to reinstall Valorant, Riot Vanguard will be automatically reinstalled to ensure a secure gaming experience.
Stay updated on Valorant News and updates by visiting All Valorant.
