Quick Answer: To uninstall Valorant, open the Riot Client, navigate to your Library, find Valorant, click the three-dot menu, select “Uninstall,” and confirm. For a complete cleanup, you’ll also want to remove the Riot Client itself and delete leftover configuration files from your system folders. The entire process takes about 10-15 minutes.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need

• Administrator access to your computer
• Riot Games account login credentials (optional but helpful)
• File explorer or Finder application
• Optional: CCleaner or similar cleanup utility
• Approximately 5-10 minutes of free time
• Internet connection (to download if reinstalling later)

Understanding Valorant’s Installation Structure

Before you start the uninstallation process, it’s helpful to understand how Valorant is organized on your system. Valorant requires the Riot Client to run, which acts as a launcher for the game itself. When you uninstall Valorant through the standard method, you’re only removing the game files, not the Riot Client or its associated components.

The game also installs Riot Vanguard, an anti-cheat system that runs at a kernel level on your computer. This component requires special attention during uninstallation because it has deeper system integration than typical game files. Understanding this three-part structure—the Riot Client, Valorant game files, and Riot Vanguard—ensures you can properly uninstall Valorant completely.

Additionally, Valorant stores configuration files, cache data, and user preferences in hidden folders on your system. These files don’t take up much space, but removing them provides a truly clean uninstallation experience and can help if you decide to reinstall later.

How to Uninstall Valorant on Windows

The most straightforward way to uninstall Valorant on Windows is through the Riot Client. Start by launching the Riot Client on your computer. If you don’t have it running, locate it in your Start menu or search for “Riot Client” in the Windows search bar.

Once the Riot Client opens, navigate to your Library section. You’ll see Valorant listed among your installed games. Click on Valorant to highlight it, then look for the three-dot menu icon (⋯) next to the game title. This menu contains the uninstall option.

Click the three-dot menu and select “Uninstall” from the dropdown options. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall Valorant. Click “Uninstall” again to confirm. The Riot Client will begin removing Valorant files from your system. This process typically takes 2-5 minutes depending on your storage speed.

After the uninstallation completes, you’ll see a notification confirming that Valorant has been removed. At this point, the game files are gone, but the Riot Client remains on your system. If you don’t plan to play other Riot games, you’ll want to proceed with removing the Riot Client as well.

How to Uninstall Valorant on Mac

Mac users follow a similar process but with Mac-specific steps. Open the Riot Client on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder or by using Spotlight search (Command + Space, then type “Riot Client”).

Once the Riot Client is open, go to your Library and locate Valorant in the game list. Click on Valorant to select it, then look for the three-dot menu icon. Select “Uninstall” from the menu. A confirmation window will appear—click “Uninstall” to proceed.

The uninstallation process on Mac works identically to Windows, with the Riot Client removing all Valorant game files from your Applications folder. The process takes similar time, usually 2-5 minutes. After completion, you’ll receive a confirmation that Valorant has been successfully removed from your Mac.

Mac users should note that the Riot Client may remain in your Applications folder even after uninstalling Valorant. If you want a complete cleanup and don’t use other Riot games, follow the steps in the next section to remove the Riot Client entirely.

Removing the Riot Client Completely

If you’ve uninstalled Valorant and want to remove the Riot Client as well, the process is straightforward. On Windows, open your Control Panel and navigate to “Programs and Features” (or “Add/Remove Programs” on older versions). Search for “Riot Client” in the list of installed programs.

Click on Riot Client to select it, then click the “Uninstall” button. A confirmation window will appear. Click “Uninstall” to proceed. The system will remove the Riot Client from your computer. This typically takes 1-2 minutes. After completion, you’ll receive a confirmation message.

On Mac, open your Applications folder and locate the Riot Client. Drag it to the Trash, or right-click and select “Move to Trash.” This removes the application from your system. Mac doesn’t require a formal uninstall process like Windows does for most applications.

After removing the Riot Client, you’ve successfully eliminated the launcher that Valorant depends on. However, there may still be leftover files stored in hidden system folders. For a truly complete cleanup, continue to the next section to learn how to remove these remaining files.

Cleaning Up Leftover Files and Folders

Even after uninstalling Valorant and the Riot Client, some residual files may remain on your system. These include configuration files, cache data, and user preferences stored in hidden folders. Removing these files provides a completely clean system and can help prevent issues if you decide to reinstall in the future.

On Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to your user folder (usually C:\Users\YourUsername). Enable “Show hidden files” by going to View > Options > Change folder and search options, then checking “Show hidden files, folders, and drives.” Look for the following folders and delete them if they exist:

• AppData\Local\Riot Games
• AppData\Roaming\Riot Games
• AppData\Local\Temp (search for Riot-related files)
• Documents\Riot Games (if present)

On Mac: Open Finder and press Command + Shift + Period to show hidden files. Navigate to your home folder and look for these directories:

• Library/Application Support/Riot Games
• Library/Preferences (search for Riot-related files)
• Library/Caches (search for Riot-related files)

Delete these folders by dragging them to Trash. This removes all cached data and configuration files associated with Valorant. As mentioned in our guide on how to format SD card, thorough data removal ensures a clean system state.

Uninstalling Riot Vanguard Anti-Cheat

Riot Vanguard is the anti-cheat system that Valorant uses to prevent cheating. It installs at a kernel level, meaning it has deep integration with your operating system. Many players want to remove Vanguard along with Valorant because it runs constantly and can impact system performance.

On Windows: Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features. Search for “Riot Vanguard” in the list. Select it and click “Uninstall.” You may be prompted to restart your computer—this is normal and necessary because Vanguard runs at the kernel level. Click “Uninstall” to confirm, and your system will begin the removal process.

The uninstallation will require administrator privileges and may take a few minutes. After completion, you’ll receive a notification, and you should restart your computer to ensure Vanguard is completely removed from the kernel.

On Mac: Mac users have a slightly different process. Navigate to Applications > Utilities and open Terminal. Type the following command and press Enter: sudo /Library/Application\ Support/Riot\ Vanguard/Vanguard.app/Contents/MacOS/Vanguard --uninstall. You’ll be prompted to enter your password. After entering it, the uninstallation will proceed.

Removing Vanguard is optional, but many users choose to do so because it can impact gaming performance and system resources. However, note that you won’t be able to play Valorant without Vanguard installed, so only remove it if you’re certain you won’t play the game again.

Troubleshooting Uninstallation Issues

Sometimes the uninstallation process doesn’t go smoothly. If you encounter errors or the uninstall option doesn’t appear, try these troubleshooting steps. First, ensure the Riot Client and Valorant aren’t currently running. Close all Riot-related processes completely before attempting uninstallation.

If the uninstall button is grayed out or unavailable, try restarting your computer and launching the Riot Client again. Sometimes a simple restart resolves permission issues. If the problem persists, try uninstalling through Windows Control Panel (on Windows) or the Applications folder (on Mac) instead of through the Riot Client.

On Windows, if you receive an error message about files being in use, make sure no background processes are running. Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and search for any Riot or Valorant-related processes. Right-click and select “End Task” to close them, then retry the uninstallation.

If you’re still having trouble, you can manually delete Valorant files. Navigate to your installation directory (usually C:\Riot Games\VALORANT on Windows) and delete the folder manually. However, this should only be done as a last resort, and you should still uninstall through the Riot Client first if possible.

Preventing Future Installation Problems

After successfully uninstalling Valorant, you might want to prevent installation issues if you decide to reinstall later. According to WikiHow’s comprehensive guides, maintaining a clean system is key to smooth software operations.

Keep your Windows or macOS operating system updated with the latest patches and security updates. These updates often include improvements to system stability and compatibility with games. Additionally, ensure your graphics drivers are current, as outdated drivers can cause issues with game installation and performance.

If you decide to reinstall Valorant in the future, make sure you have adequate storage space—Valorant requires approximately 40-50 GB of free space. Having a clean system with no leftover files from the previous installation will ensure a smoother reinstallation process.

Consider using a system cleanup utility like CCleaner to remove temporary files and registry entries regularly. This maintains overall system health and can prevent issues with future software installations. However, use caution with registry cleaners and only use reputable tools.

For additional information on managing applications and system space, you might find our guides on how to update apps on iPhone and how to unhide apps on iPhone helpful for understanding app management principles across different platforms.