Forum Discussion
How to full uninstall valorant on pc without riot client
Why can't I delete Valorant off my computer? I tried the official Riot Client but it won't launch on my Windows 11 PC, so I can't uninstall Valorant the normal way. I need to delete the game completely, including all leftover files and registry entries.
I don't know why is Valorant so difficult to uninstall. Please share the safest manual method to full uninstall valorant on pc without using Riot Client?
Also, does this affect Vanguard (the anti-cheat)? I want that gone too.
Thanks.
8 Replies
- ErcocombroIron Contributor
If the above suggestions did not work, then go with a dedicated app uninstaller instead.
- YahyatiBrass Contributor
Using Windows Built-in Tools like PowerShell is an effective and completely free way to help uninstall Valorant on PC. Here's how you can do it:
How to uninstall Valorant on PC using PowerShell
1. Terminate Valorant and Riot Client Processes
Before uninstalling, ensure all related processes are stopped to prevent errors.
Open PowerShell as Administrator:
Right-click on the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Run the following commands to terminate processes:
taskkill /F /IM Valorant.exe
taskkill /F /IM RiotClient.exe
taskkill /F /IM RiotClientServices.exe
taskkill /F /IM RiotClientUx.exe
This ensures Valorant and Riot Client processes are fully closed.
2. Uninstall Valorant via PowerShell
To uninstall Valorant, you can use PowerShell to remove the application if it was installed via Windows Installer.
First, list installed programs with:
Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object Name
Find Valorant in the list. To uninstall it, run:
$app = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object { $_.Name -like "*Valorant*" }
$app.Uninstall()
This command will initiate the uninstall process.
3. Remove Residual Files Manually
After uninstallation, delete leftover files:
Remove-Item -Path "C:\Program Files\Valorant" -Recurse -Force
Remove-Item -Path "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Riot Games" -Recurse -Force
When it comes to how to uninstall valorant on PC. You can also clear registry entries manually if needed, but be cautious.
- StonehuIron Contributor
This is a key step in how to uninstall valorant on windows 11, letting you fully remove leftover files after using the Control Panel uninstall method. It essentially lets you clear all residual data from Valorant and Riot Vanguard by checking key folders on your system, allowing you to completely erase all traces of the game from your Windows 11 device.
Usage Guide: After uninstalling via Control Panel, manually delete leftover files to finish how to uninstall valorant on windows 11. First, navigate to the default Valorant installation directory: C:\Program Files\Riot Games\Valorant\ and delete the entire Valorant folder if it still exists. Next, go to C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\ and delete the Vanguard folder completely. Then, press Win + R, type %appdata%, and hit Enter, looking for any Valorant or Riot Games folders to delete. Finally, repeat the process in %localappdata% by typing it in the Run dialog and removing any related folders. This method requires no extra tools and swiftly helps you fully remove all residual files, effectively completing the full uninstall process for Valorant on Windows 11.
It is particularly useful for ensuring no leftover game data, cache, or configuration files remain on your system, preventing conflicts if you reinstall the game later or free up storage space on your device.
- CalumboIron Contributor
If you want to figure out how to uninstall Valorant on PC, use a free registry cleaner can be a helpful step when you're trying to uninstall Valorant on PC, especially if some leftover files or registry entries are preventing a complete removal. Here's how you can incorporate a registry cleaner into the process.
How to uninstall Valorant on PC:
1. Uninstall Valorant: Try to remove Valorant through the Control Panel or Settings. If that doesn't work because the Riot Client won't launch or the game doesn't uninstall properly, proceed with manual removal.
2. Terminate Related Processes: Open Task Manager and end any processes related to Valorant or Riot to prevent issues during cleanup.
3. Delete Remaining Files: Manually delete the Valorant folders from Program Files, AppData, Local, and Roaming folders.
4. Use a Free Registry Cleaner: Download a trusted free registry cleaner. Install it and run a scan for invalid or leftover registry entries. When the scan completes, review the entries, and carefully delete only those related to Valorant or Riot Games. Always back up your registry before making changes, which most registry cleaners will prompt you to do.
5. Restart Your PC: Reboot your computer to ensure all changes take effect.
By doing this, you're effectively removing all traces of Valorant from your system, ensuring a clean uninstall. Remember, using a registry cleaner is optional but recommended if you want to ensure no leftover registry entries cause future issues.
- OakleyCruzIron Contributor
Learning how to uninstall valorant on windows 11 includes cleaning leftover registry entries from your system. Be cautious, as improper registry editing can cause system errors or instability.
how to uninstall valorant on windows 11
Step 1: Press Win + R, type regedit, and then press Enter.
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Riot Games, and delete all related keys.
Step 2: Repeat the above steps under HKEY_CURRENT_USER > SOFTWARE > Riot Games, and delete all entries related to Riot Games.
Step 3: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CurrentControlSet > Services > vgc, locate any entries related to Vanguard, and delete them.
Step 4: Search the registry for any other keys or values related to Vanguard or Riot Games, and delete them if found.
Once you've completed these registry cleanup steps, you've fully uninstalled Valorant on Windows 11, ensuring that any hidden leftover files that the standard uninstaller might have missed are removed.
- AureliozBrass Contributor
If you are planning to uninstall Valorant on PC without Riot Client, it's important to properly terminate related processes like "Terminate Valorant and Riot Client Processes" to ensure a clean removal.
Here's why and how:
- Valorant runs multiple processes, including those associated with Riot Client.
- Prior to uninstalling, stopping these processes prevents issues like files being in use, which can cause incomplete uninstallation or errors.
- To uninstall Valorant on PC without Riot Client, you should first manually terminate all Valorant and Riot Client processes using Task Manager or a command prompt.
Steps:
1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
2. Look for processes like:
- Valorant.exe
- RiotClientServices.exe
- RiotClient.exe
- RiotClientUx.exe
3. Select each process and click End Task.
4. Alternatively, you can use command line:
- taskkill /F /IM Valorant.exe
- taskkill /F /IM RiotClientServices.exe
- taskkill /F /IM RiotClient.exe
- taskkill /F /IM RiotClientUx.exe
5. After terminating all related processes, proceed with uninstalling Valorant via Add or Remove Programs in Windows.
Note: Terminating these processes ensures that you can uninstall Valorant on PC without Riot Client properly, avoiding issues like leftover files or registry entries.
- Nobel_BaynesSteel Contributor
You can't uninstall Valorant normally because its anti-cheat system, Riot Vanguard, runs at a deep level in your system, and the Riot Client often keeps running in the background even after you close the game window. This is why you can't delete Valorant off my computer.
Uninstalling Valorant will not automatically uninstall Riot Vanguard. If you want to remove it completely:
Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
Find Riot Vanguard, click it, and select Uninstall.
You'll need to restart your computer to finish removing Vanguard.
⚠️ Important Notes
Reinstalling the Game: If you plan to play Valorant again, you'll need to reinstall both the game and Vanguard. After a fresh install, you must restart your PC for Vanguard to work properly.
Manual Removal: If all else fails, you can uninstall Vanguard manually using Command Prompt as an administrator. Run these commands one by one, then restart your PC
- JadeookbIron Contributor
Why is Valorant so difficult to uninstall? The primary reason Valorant is difficult to uninstall is its anti-cheat software, Riot Vanguard. Unlike most games, Vanguard operates as a kernel-level driver that launches the moment you boot your computer. Because the driver is technically "in use" by the system at all times, Windows often blocks the uninstallation of the main game files, leading to errors or the "uninstall" button simply doing nothing.
To successfully remove the game, you must follow a specific sequence: you have to close Vanguard from your system tray first, then uninstall Vanguard itself as a separate program before you even touch the Valorant entry. If you try to uninstall the game while the anti-cheat is still active, the two programs essentially "protect" one another, causing the process to hang or fail.
Even after a successful uninstallation, the Riot Client often lingers, and hidden folders in your %localappdata% and C:\Riot Games directories may remain behind. For a truly clean sweep, users often have to manually delete these folders or use Command Prompt to force-delete the "vgc" and "vgk" services that Vanguard leaves behind in the system registry.