How to Uninstall Valorant Completely (Windows 10 & 11)

Before you uninstall Valorant

The most common reason the uninstaller does nothing is simple: Riot Client is still running. Close the game, then right-click the Riot Client icon in the notification area at the bottom-right of the taskbar and select Exit. If the Vanguard icon is visible, right-click it and choose Exit Vanguard.

If Windows still says a Riot process is open, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc, open Task Manager, and end Valorant or Riot Client processes that are clearly still running. Do not end unrelated Windows services.

How to uninstall Valorant on Windows 11

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Select Apps, then Installed apps.
3. Search for Valorant.
4. Select the three-dot menu beside it, choose Uninstall, and confirm.
5. Restart the PC after removal completes.

That is enough if you only want the game off your computer. Vanguard and Riot Client are separate components, so decide whether to keep them using the sections below.

How to uninstall Valorant on Windows 10

1. Open the Start menu and choose Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Apps & features.
3. Select Valorant from the list.
4. Choose Uninstall and follow the prompt.
5. Restart Windows.

You can also use Control Panel's Programs and Features list, but Settings is the clearest route on current Windows builds.

How to uninstall Riot Vanguard

Keep Vanguard if you still play another Riot title that requires it, including League of Legends on Windows. Otherwise, remove it after closing every Riot game and the Riot Client.

Normal method

1. Open Windows Installed apps or Apps & features.
2. Find Riot Vanguard.
3. Choose Uninstall and approve the prompt.
4. Restart the PC and confirm the Vanguard tray icon is gone.

Current Vanguard builds may also show Advanced → Uninstall Vanguard when you right-click the system-tray icon.

Manual method if Vanguard will not uninstall

Use Riot's manual fallback only after the normal method fails. Open Command Prompt as administrator, run each command separately, then restart:

sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk

After restarting, delete the remaining C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard folder if it is still present. These commands target Riot's two Vanguard services; they are not general cleanup commands.

Should you remove Riot Client too?

Riot Client is shared by Riot's PC games. Do not remove it if you still use League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, 2XKO, or another Riot title on the computer.

If Valorant was your last Riot game, close the client and complete the clean-removal steps below. Riot's June 2026 support guide specifically includes deleting the Riot Client folder during a clean Valorant uninstall. Removing a desktop shortcut alone does not remove the client.

How to completely uninstall Valorant and its leftover files

A clean uninstall is useful when repairing a broken installation. If you only need disk space, the standard uninstall is normally enough.

1. Complete the Windows uninstall first and close all Riot software.
2. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Riot Games. Delete the Valorant folder. Delete Riot Client only if no other Riot games remain.
3. Press Windows + R, enter %localappdata%, and press Enter.
4. Delete the Valorant folder. Delete the local Riot Games folder only if you are removing all Riot games or deliberately resetting the shared client cache.
5. Empty the Recycle Bin.
6. Restart the computer before reinstalling.

Riot's default path is shown above. If you installed to another drive, check that location too. There is no need to hunt through the registry or delete unrelated system files.

What to do when Valorant will not uninstall

If Windows itself cannot remove the program, use Microsoft's current install and uninstall troubleshooting steps. They cover damaged app-registration data without asking you to edit the registry manually.

For a launch failure rather than an uninstall problem, check our Valorant error-code guide before wiping an otherwise healthy installation.

How to reinstall Valorant cleanly

1. Restart after the uninstall.
2. Download the current installer from Valorant's official download page.
3. Run the installer and let Riot Client install Valorant and Vanguard.
4. Restart if Vanguard requests it.
5. Sign in to the same Riot account to restore your online progress and inventory.

If the goal was to reset your setup, our Valorant settings guide provides a sensible baseline after the reinstall.

Valorant uninstall FAQ

Does uninstalling Valorant delete my account or skins?

No. Uninstalling removes software from the PC; it does not delete your Riot account, agents, skins, rank history, or purchases. Account deletion is a separate process covered in our Riot account deletion guide.

Can I uninstall Valorant without removing Vanguard?

Yes. Vanguard is separate. Keeping it makes sense if another installed Riot game requires it; otherwise you can uninstall it too.

Can I uninstall Riot Client but keep another Riot game?

No. Riot Client is the shared launcher, so keep it while another Riot PC game remains installed.

Do I need a registry cleaner?

No, not for a normal uninstall. Start with Windows' own uninstaller and Riot's documented folders. Registry cleaning adds risk and is not needed to remove the game in most cases.

Why did Vanguard remain after I removed Valorant?

Vanguard is installed as a separate shared anti-cheat component and may still be required by another Riot game. Remove it separately only after checking what you still play.

Official sources

• Riot Games Support: Uninstall and Reinstall Games
• Riot Games Support: Uninstall and Disable Vanguard
• Microsoft Support: Uninstall apps in Windows
• Microsoft Support: Fix blocked installs and removals

Conclusion

A normal Valorant uninstall should take only a few minutes: close Riot Client, remove the game through Windows, and restart. Treat Vanguard and Riot Client as separate shared components, and use the deeper folder cleanup only when troubleshooting or removing every Riot game from the PC.