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To completely remove VALORANT from a Windows PC, close Riot Client, uninstall VALORANT, uninstall Riot Vanguard separately, remove any remaining Riot folders, empty the Recycle Bin, and restart Windows. Riot Vanguard is not always removed automatically with the game, so stopping after uninstalling VALORANT can leave Riot software behind.
This guide covers Windows 10 and Windows 11. The exact installation drive may differ if you selected a custom location, so do not delete folders blindly.
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What this procedure removes
A normal, complete local uninstall should remove:
- The registered VALORANT application
- Riot Vanguard, which must be uninstalled separately
- Riot Client, if it remains listed or installed
- The documented VALORANT and Riot Client installation folders
- The documented VALORANT and Riot Games folders in your local application data
It does not delete your Riot account, account data, purchases, progress, or content stored by Riot. Account deletion is a separate process and has much broader consequences.
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- Quit VALORANT if it is open.
- Look in the Windows notification area at the right side of the taskbar. Open the hidden-icons menu if necessary.
- Right-click the Riot Client icon and choose its exit or close option.
Riot Client must be closed before removing a Riot game. If the uninstaller says files are in use, restart Windows and try again before deleting anything manually. Riot’s current removal guidance is documented in its VALORANT Support removal instructions.
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Step 1: uninstall VALORANT
The quickest way to find the correct Windows uninstaller is:
- Open Start.
- Search for
Installed apps. - Open Installed apps from the results.
- Find VALORANT in the list.
- Open its three-dot menu, select Uninstall, and follow the prompts.
You can also open the same page through Settings > Apps > Installed apps in Windows 11. On Windows 10, the wording may differ slightly, but the equivalent location is under Settings > Apps.
If VALORANT does not uninstall from Settings, use Microsoft’s alternate route: open Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select VALORANT, and choose Uninstall. Microsoft documents all three supported routes—Start, Settings, and Control Panel—in its Windows uninstall guide.
Step 2: uninstall Riot Vanguard separately
Return to Installed apps and search for Riot Vanguard.
- Open Start and search for
Installed apps. - Locate Riot Vanguard.
- Open its three-dot menu and select Uninstall.
- Confirm the removal and complete any prompts Windows displays.
Do not assume that removing VALORANT also removes Vanguard. Riot’s procedure explicitly treats Vanguard as a separate application. If Vanguard is not listed or its uninstaller produces an error, do not jump straight to registry cleaners or unverified “force uninstall” tools. Retry after restarting Windows, then contact Riot Support if the official removal route still fails.
Step 3: remove Riot Client if it remains
After VALORANT and Vanguard are gone, check Installed apps for Riot Client. If it is listed, choose its three-dot menu, select Uninstall, and follow Windows’ instructions.
If Riot Client is not listed but its files remain, continue with the folder cleanup below. Riot’s documented default location is:
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C:Riot GamesRiot ClientYour files may be on another drive or in a different folder if you changed the installation location. Look for the location you selected during installation rather than deleting unrelated folders.
Step 4: delete the documented leftover folders
Only do this after the applications have been uninstalled and Riot Client is closed. Review the folders first so you do not remove personal files stored alongside the game.
Check the Riot Games installation folder
- Open File Explorer.
- Go to
C:Riot Games, if it exists. - Delete the
VALORANTfolder if it remains. - Delete the
Riot Clientfolder if it remains.
These are Riot’s documented VALORANT cleanup locations. They are common default paths, not a guarantee that every installation uses the same drive or directory.
Check Local AppData
- Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
- Enter
%localappdata%and press Enter. - In the folder that opens, delete the
Riot Gamesfolder if it is present. - Delete the
VALORANTfolder if it is present.
If Windows says a folder is being used, stop and restart the PC rather than forcing deletion of random files. Then check the folders again.
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What not to delete
- Do not delete every folder whose name contains “Riot.”
- Do not remove Windows system files.
- Do not manually delete random Vanguard files as a substitute for its uninstaller.
- Do not delete screenshots, replays, recordings, documents, or other personal files merely because they are near the game folders.
- Do not edit the Windows Registry just to make the uninstall feel more complete.
Riot’s documented procedure identifies specific folders; it does not require indiscriminate registry cleaning. The commonly seen C:Program FilesRiot Vanguard path is a possible default location, but its existence alone is not an instruction to manually delete Vanguard files. Use the official Vanguard uninstaller first.
Step 5: empty the Recycle Bin
Deleting the folders normally moves them to the Recycle Bin rather than immediately reclaiming all disk space.
- Return to the Windows desktop.
- Right-click Recycle Bin.
- Select Empty Recycle Bin.
- Confirm only after checking that it does not contain files you want to restore.
This is part of Riot’s documented clean-removal sequence. Emptying the bin permanently removes everything currently inside it, not just VALORANT files.
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Step 6: restart Windows
Restart the computer after uninstalling Vanguard and deleting the remaining folders. Riot specifically includes a restart in its clean-removal instructions. It also provides a clean starting point if a Riot process or Vanguard-related component was still loaded when you began.
How to verify that VALORANT is gone
After Windows starts again, check the following:
- Installed apps: VALORANT, Riot Vanguard, and Riot Client should no longer appear unless another Riot installation still uses them.
- Installation files: inspect
C:Riot Games, or the custom folder you used, for leftover VALORANT and Riot Client directories. - Local AppData: press Windows key + R, enter
%localappdata%, and check for the documentedRiot GamesandVALORANTfolders. - Restart behavior: Windows should restart normally without VALORANT or Riot Client opening automatically.
A leftover log, configuration file, or unrelated personal file does not necessarily mean that the registered application is still installed. Remove only the documented game/client folders that you have reviewed.
Troubleshooting failed removals
“Riot Client is still running”
- Close Riot Client from the system tray.
- Try the VALORANT uninstall again.
- If it still refuses, restart Windows and retry from Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
VALORANT is missing from Installed apps
Check Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Microsoft notes that some programs may not be removable from the newer Settings interface and may require Control Panel. If neither location lists VALORANT, inspect the documented installation folders and remove only the remaining VALORANT files after confirming that the Riot software is closed.
Riot Vanguard is missing or will not uninstall
Restart Windows and check Installed apps again. Do not present third-party uninstall utilities or registry cleaners as official requirements. If Vanguard remains installed or generates an error, use Riot’s support request form rather than manually deleting system-level components without guidance.
The Riot folders cannot be deleted
Confirm that Riot Client and VALORANT are closed, restart Windows, and retry. If you changed the installation drive, search the drive where VALORANT was installed. Do not take ownership of unrelated folders or delete files simply because their names contain “Riot.”
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The documented cleanup procedure is also useful when preparing for a clean reinstall. Once the applications, specified folders, Recycle Bin contents, and Windows restart are complete, download the game again only from Riot’s official source. Removing the local files does not remove your Riot account or erase account-based progress.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Uninstalling VALORANT on a Mac
The Riot removal instructions covered here are for Windows. Do not assume that the Windows paths or Installed apps steps apply to macOS.
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Apple’s general macOS guidance is to look for an app-provided uninstaller first, because it may also remove login items, extensions, and related app data. If the app has no uninstaller, Apple generally advises moving it to the Trash and emptying the Trash. That is general macOS guidance, not a Riot-specific VALORANT removal procedure. For Mac-specific Riot components, consult current Riot Support before deleting files manually.
Uninstalling software versus deleting your Riot account
Removing VALORANT, Riot Client, and Vanguard from your computer affects the local installation only. It does not close or delete your Riot account.
If you mean “remove everything” in the sense of deleting your account and associated data, use Riot’s separate account-deletion process and read its warnings carefully. Riot states that account deletion affects the account’s games, progress, and content. It is irreversible in scope compared with simply uninstalling a game, so do not request account deletion when you only want to free disk space or stop playing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does uninstalling VALORANT uninstall Riot Vanguard?
Not necessarily. Riot Vanguard is listed and removed separately, so check Installed apps and uninstall Riot Vanguard after removing VALORANT.
Should I delete the Riot Vanguard folder manually?
No. Use the Riot Vanguard uninstaller in Windows first. If Vanguard is missing from Installed apps or produces an error, restart Windows and contact Riot Support rather than deleting system-level files at random.
Will uninstalling VALORANT delete my Riot account?
No. Uninstalling local software does not delete your Riot account, progress, purchases, or account data. Riot account deletion is a separate process with broader consequences.
Do I need a registry cleaner to completely remove VALORANT?
No. Riot’s documented cleanup procedure identifies the applications and specific leftover folders to remove; it does not require deleting Registry entries. Registry cleaners can create additional problems and are unnecessary for this procedure.
The Bottom Line
For a complete Windows removal, close Riot Client, uninstall VALORANT, uninstall Riot Vanguard separately, remove the documented VALORANT and Riot Client folders, clear the matching Local AppData folders, empty the Recycle Bin, and restart. Do not confuse this local cleanup with Riot account deletion, and do not use registry cleaners or indiscriminate manual deletion.
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