VALORANT usually will not uninstall because Riot Client, VALORANT, Riot Vanguard, or another Riot background process is still running. Closing the visible game window does not always close Riot Client, so Windows may be unable to access files needed by the uninstaller.
Close Riot Client from the system tray, end only remaining Riot processes, restart Windows, and then uninstall VALORANT through Windows Settings. Remove Riot Vanguard separately only if you no longer need it for another Riot game.
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The usual reason VALORANT will not uninstall is that Riot Client, VALORANT, Riot Vanguard, or another Riot background process is still running. Closing the visible game window is not always enough: Riot Client can remain open in the Windows notification area and continue holding files that the uninstaller needs.
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1. Exit Riot Client completely
- Close VALORANT if it is open.
- Look at the Windows notification area near the clock. Select the arrow to show hidden icons if necessary.
- Right-click the Riot Client icon and choose its exit or close option.
Do not assume that closing the VALORANT window also closes the launcher. Riot’s uninstall instructions require Riot Client to be closed before removing a Riot game, because the client may still be using files in the game or launcher directory.
2. End leftover Riot processes in Task Manager
If Riot Client will not exit normally, stop its remaining processes before trying the uninstall again.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- In the Processes view, look for processes clearly associated with Riot or VALORANT. Depending on the installation, names may include Riot Client, RiotClientServices, VALORANT, or another Riot launcher process.
- Select the relevant Riot or VALORANT process and choose End task.
- Try the uninstall again.
End only processes that clearly belong to Riot or VALORANT. Do not terminate random Windows processes merely because they are unfamiliar. Ending Riot processes is a troubleshooting step to release a locked file, not a replacement for the normal Windows uninstaller.
3. Restart Windows before launching Riot Client again
If a process will not close, or if the uninstaller still says that Riot Client is running, restart the computer. After Windows starts, do not open VALORANT or Riot Client. Go directly to the uninstall screen.
A restart is safer than immediately deleting the game folder: it clears ordinary user-session processes and gives Windows an opportunity to release file handles. Manual deletion can leave the installation registered in Windows and can make later cleanup more difficult.
4. Uninstall VALORANT through Windows Settings
On Windows 10 and Windows 11:
- Open Start > Settings.
- Open Apps > Installed apps. On some Windows 10 installations, the page may be labeled Apps & features.
- Find VALORANT.
- Select the three-dot menu next to it and choose Uninstall.
- Follow the prompts and wait for the uninstall process to finish.
If VALORANT does not appear in Settings, or the Settings uninstaller fails, use the older Control Panel path:
Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select VALORANT, and choose Uninstall/Change.
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5. Decide whether Riot Vanguard should also be removed
After VALORANT is uninstalled, check Settings > Apps > Installed apps or Control Panel > Programs and Features for Riot Vanguard.
VALORANT requires Vanguard to run, and Vanguard is installed as a separate component. Removing VALORANT therefore does not always remove Vanguard automatically. That separation matters if you have another Riot game installed: Vanguard may still be required by another title, including League of Legends.
- Keep Vanguard if you intend to keep or play another Riot game that depends on it.
- Uninstall Vanguard normally if you are removing Riot games that use it and no longer want Riot’s anti-cheat component on the PC.
- Do not remove Vanguard as harmless leftover cleanup if you plan to reinstall VALORANT immediately; VALORANT will not run without it.
If Vanguard has its own uninstall entry, select it and use the normal Windows uninstall process. Restart Windows if prompted.
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6. Use Riot’s manual Vanguard removal procedure only if necessary
If Riot Vanguard’s normal uninstaller is missing or fails, Riot documents a specific manual procedure. Use it only for Vanguard and only when you understand that it removes Vanguard’s services.
- Open the Start menu and type Command Prompt.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Run this command:
sc delete vgc- Run the second command:
sc delete vgk- Restart Windows.
- After the restart, delete the
C:Program FilesRiot Vanguardfolder if it is still present.
The restart between deleting the services and deleting the folder is part of Riot’s procedure; do not skip it. These commands are specifically for the documented Riot Vanguard services. They are not a general-purpose solution for uninstalling every program or for deleting arbitrary Windows services.
Do not substitute other service names, remove unrelated services, or begin editing the registry. Microsoft warns that indiscriminate service and registry changes can cause system problems. Prefer the software’s own uninstaller and Riot’s documented Vanguard procedure.
7. Clean up leftover Riot folders carefully
Only after the official uninstallers have completed should you inspect for leftover folders. Possible locations include:
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Delete a folder only when it is clearly associated with the Riot components you have removed. Do not delete the entire C:Riot Games directory if it contains another Riot game, shared Riot Client files, or an installation you intend to keep.
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Riot’s clean-reinstall instructions may call for removing the Riot Client folder under C:Riot Games. That advice is for a clean reinstall and does not mean the folder should be deleted before the normal uninstall or without checking whether other Riot software uses it.
When VALORANT still will not uninstall
The VALORANT entry is missing
If VALORANT is not listed in Settings or Control Panel, the installation record may be missing or damaged. Use Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter. It is intended for cases where a program cannot be removed through the normal Windows path or where corrupted uninstall information prevents removal.
The uninstaller reports that Riot Client is still running
Repeat the safe sequence:
- Exit Riot Client from the notification area.
- Check Task Manager for Riot and VALORANT processes.
- End only those clearly related processes.
- Restart Windows.
- Attempt the uninstall before opening any Riot software.
A different program is interfering
Security software, overlays, startup utilities, and other background applications can interfere with launchers and uninstallers. If the problem persists after a restart, use a Windows clean boot to start the system with nonessential startup software and services disabled, then test the uninstall.
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You deleted the folder but VALORANT is still listed
Deleting C:Riot Games does not necessarily remove the Windows uninstall registration. If the game entry remains, use the Windows uninstaller or Microsoft’s Program Install and Uninstall Troubleshooter rather than deleting more registry entries manually.
What uninstalling VALORANT does—and does not—remove
| Component | What it is | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| VALORANT | The game itself | Removed through the Windows program uninstaller. |
| Riot Client | The launcher and client that can remain open after the game window closes | May remain installed or running unless separately closed or removed. |
| Riot Vanguard | Riot’s anti-cheat component | May appear as a separate installed program and may remain if another Riot title needs it. |
| Riot account | Your online account, purchases, and progression | Not deleted by removing local Windows game files. |
Uninstalling the Windows software is different from deleting a Riot account. Your account, purchased content, and progression are not removed merely because VALORANT is uninstalled from the PC.
What not to do first
- Do not repeatedly click Uninstall while Riot Client is still open.
- Do not delete the game directory before trying the standard uninstaller.
- Do not remove random services with
sc delete. - Do not edit the registry just because the program does not uninstall normally.
- Do not use an unverified forced-uninstaller utility as the first option.
- Do not delete shared Riot folders if another Riot game remains installed.
The safest path is to release the running processes, restart, use Windows’ own uninstall mechanism, and escalate to Riot’s documented Vanguard procedure or Microsoft’s troubleshooter only when the normal path fails.
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Will uninstalling VALORANT delete my Riot account?
No. Uninstalling VALORANT removes local game software from the Windows PC. It does not delete the Riot account, purchased content, or account progression. Account deletion is a separate online account-management action.
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Do I need to uninstall Riot Vanguard too?
Not always. Vanguard is separate from VALORANT and may be required by another Riot title. Remove it only if you no longer need any installed Riot game that depends on it. If you plan to reinstall VALORANT, keep Vanguard or expect to reinstall it before the game can run.
Can I just delete the VALORANT folder?
It is better not to start that way. Manual deletion can leave Windows uninstall information, Riot Client components, services, or Vanguard behind. Run the standard Windows uninstaller first, then remove clearly identifiable leftovers after the uninstall has finished.
Are the sc delete commands required?
No. They are a fallback for Riot Vanguard when its normal uninstall process fails. They should be run from an administrator Command Prompt, followed by a restart, and used only with Riot’s documented service names: vgc and vgk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will uninstalling VALORANT delete my Riot account?
No. Uninstalling VALORANT removes the local Windows installation, not your Riot account, purchases, or progression.
Do I need to uninstall Riot Vanguard too?
Not necessarily. Riot Vanguard is separate and may still be required by another Riot game. Remove it only when no installed Riot title needs it.
Can I delete the VALORANT folder instead of uninstalling it?
No. Use Windows’ normal uninstaller first. Manual deletion can leave uninstall records, services, or Vanguard behind.
Are the sc delete commands required to uninstall VALORANT?
No. They are a fallback for Vanguard only, and Riot’s procedure requires an administrator Command Prompt and a restart afterward.
The Bottom Line
Close Riot Client from the system tray, end remaining Riot processes, restart Windows, and uninstall VALORANT from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Treat Riot Vanguard as a separate component: keep it if another Riot game needs it, and use Riot’s administrator-only removal procedure only when Vanguard’s normal uninstaller fails.
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