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To remove VALORANT completely from Windows 11, uninstall Riot Vanguard and VALORANT, restart your PC, then remove leftover game and cache folders. Riot Client is shared with other Riot games, so delete it only if you no longer need League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, or another Riot title.
If you are only fixing crashes or launch errors, try Riot’s troubleshooting steps first. Otherwise, use the complete removal process below.
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Before you uninstall
- Save screenshots, recordings, clips, or custom files you want to keep.
- Decide whether another Riot game still uses Riot Client.
- Close VALORANT and the Riot Client completely.
What you are removing
- VALORANT: The game files and launcher entry for the game.
- Riot Vanguard: Riot’s separate anti-cheat installation, including its Windows service and driver components.
- Riot Client: The shared launcher. Removing it can affect other Riot games.
- Local data: Cache and configuration folders that may remain after normal uninstallation.
1. Close VALORANT and Riot Client
- Exit VALORANT normally.
- Close the Riot Client window.
- Select the hidden-icons arrow in the taskbar notification area.
- Right-click the Riot icon and choose the available Exit or Quit command.
If Riot software will not close, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. End only clearly identified Riot Client or VALORANT processes. Do not terminate unrelated Windows processes.
2. Uninstall Riot Vanguard first
Vanguard is a separate installed component, so remove it before VALORANT. This is the clearest sequence and helps prevent the anti-cheat entry from being left behind after the game is removed.
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- Open Start > Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for Riot Vanguard.
- Select its three-dot menu.
- Choose Uninstall, then confirm.
Riot’s support instructions identify Riot Vanguard and VALORANT as separate uninstall entries. See Riot Support’s uninstall guidance.
3. Uninstall VALORANT
- Remain in Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
- Search for VALORANT.
- Select the three-dot menu next to it.
- Choose Uninstall and follow the prompts.
Windows 11’s current uninstall route is documented by Microsoft.
4. Restart Windows
Restart the PC after removing Vanguard and VALORANT. Vanguard is system-level software, and restarting gives Windows a clean opportunity to release services and files before you inspect the remaining folders.
5. Delete leftover VALORANT files
After restarting, open File Explorer and check these common locations by pasting each path into the address bar:
C:Riot GamesVALORANT
C:Riot GamesRiot Client
%localappdata%VALORANT
%localappdata%Riot GamesThese are typical locations, not guaranteed defaults. Check the drive where you originally installed the game as well; it may be different from C:.
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If you are keeping another Riot game
Delete the VALORANT folder and VALORANT-specific local data only. Do not delete C:Riot GamesRiot Client or %localappdata%Riot Games until you have confirmed that no other Riot game needs them.
If you are removing all Riot software
First uninstall every other Riot game you still have installed. Then, after confirming that no Riot title remains, delete the Riot Client folder and remaining Riot folders if they still exist.
Delete folders safely
- Open each location in File Explorer.
- Confirm that the folder belongs to VALORANT or an unwanted Riot installation.
- Delete it.
- Empty the Recycle Bin to reclaim the space.
Microsoft notes that deleted files remain in the Recycle Bin until it is emptied; see Microsoft’s storage guidance.
6. Verify that removal is complete
- In Settings > Apps > Installed apps, VALORANT is no longer listed.
- Riot Vanguard is no longer listed.
- Riot Client is absent only if you intended to remove all Riot software.
- The VALORANT installation folder and relevant local-data folders are gone.
- After another restart, the Riot icon no longer appears in the system tray.
- Windows Search or File Explorer does not show obvious VALORANT installation folders.
- If all Riot software was removed, no Riot-related startup item remains.
A complete practical uninstall means the installed programs and identifiable game/cache folders are gone. It does not guarantee that every unrelated log, browser-history entry, crash report, registry reference, or installer fragment disappears.
If VALORANT or Vanguard will not uninstall
Windows says the app is running
- Exit Riot Client from the system tray.
- End clearly named Riot or VALORANT processes in Task Manager.
- Restart Windows.
- Try the uninstall again before manually deleting folders.
The entry is missing from Settings
Check the alternative desktop-program route: Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features. Select Riot Vanguard or VALORANT, then choose Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. Microsoft documents this as an alternative when an app cannot be removed through Settings.
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The uninstall record is damaged
If the program is listed but cannot be removed, use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter. It can address corrupted uninstall data and problems that prevent desktop programs from being completely removed.
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Search specifically for Riot Vanguard in Installed apps and uninstall it separately. Restart Windows and check again. Do not manually delete random Vanguard driver files, and do not rely on unverified commands such as sc delete vgc or sc delete vgk; the official evidence supports the Windows uninstall interface and folder cleanup instead.
If Vanguard or the uninstall registration remains damaged after these steps, contact Riot Support.
Do not use registry cleaners as a first step
Third-party uninstallers and registry cleaners are unnecessary for the normal VALORANT removal process and can introduce additional risk. Use Windows’ uninstall tools, restart, and remove only clearly identified leftover folders.
Will uninstalling VALORANT delete your Riot account?
No. Uninstalling VALORANT, Vanguard, or Riot Client removes local Windows software. It does not delete your Riot account, VALORANT inventory, purchases, or account-level progress.
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Deleting a Riot account is a separate process with broader consequences. Riot warns that account deletion can affect progress and content across multiple Riot games. Do not request account deletion merely because you want to free disk space or remove VALORANT.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is resetting Windows necessary?
No. A Windows reset or clean installation is not a normal VALORANT-uninstall step. Consider it only for a severely corrupted or compromised Windows installation after backing up important data.
Microsoft explains that Reset this PC can remove apps and settings while keeping personal files, depending on the selected option. Remove everything deletes personal files, apps, and settings. A clean installation removes personal files, apps, manufacturer customizations, and settings. See Microsoft’s reset guidance and Windows installation guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I uninstall VALORANT without uninstalling Vanguard?
You can remove the game separately, but a complete removal should also uninstall Riot Vanguard. Check Vanguard as its own entry in Windows 11 Installed apps.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhy is Riot Vanguard still listed after removing VALORANT?
Vanguard is a separate installed component. Uninstall Riot Vanguard separately, restart Windows, and verify the Installed apps list again.
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Can I delete the Riot Games folder?
Only after confirming that no other Riot game needs it. If you are keeping another Riot title, remove VALORANT-specific folders but retain shared Riot Client and Riot Games data.
Will uninstalling VALORANT remove my skins or purchases?
No. Local uninstallation does not delete your Riot account or account-level content. Account deletion is a separate action with broader consequences.
Do I need Revo Uninstaller or CCleaner?
No. Windows uninstall tools, a restart, and careful removal of identifiable leftover folders are sufficient for the normal case.
Is reinstalling Windows necessary?
No. Resetting or reinstalling Windows is an extreme recovery option, not a standard VALORANT-removal procedure.
The Bottom Line
For a clean Windows 11 removal, close Riot software, uninstall Riot Vanguard first, uninstall VALORANT, restart, remove only the appropriate leftover folders, empty the Recycle Bin, and verify the Installed apps list. Keep shared Riot Client files if another Riot game remains installed.
Quick Recap
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