VALORANT is the kind of game that runs perfectly until it does not. One day it launches clean. The next day it hangs, throws Vanguard errors, or refuses to install an update. Sometimes you just want your storage back.
This is a complete guide on how to uninstall VALORANT on Windows 11, Windows 10, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It also shows how to remove Riot Vanguard and clean leftover files using paths that actually exist in the official menus. No made up buttons. No fake toggles.
Windows Uninstall
Fast Removal On PC
- Exit Riot Client First
- Uninstall VALORANT
- Uninstall Riot Vanguard
- Restart If Prompted
Clean Removal
Fix Stuck Installs
- Delete VALORANT Folder
- Delete Riot Client Folder
- Clear Local AppData
- Reboot After Cleanup
PS5 And Xbox
No Extra Drivers
- PS5 Storage Delete
- Xbox Manage Uninstall
- Re Download Anytime
- Fastest Method Overall
What You Are Actually Uninstalling VALORANT Vanguard And Riot Client
When people say they want to “uninstall VALORANT,” they usually mean one of three things. They want to remove the game. They want to remove Vanguard. Or they want a clean wipe because something is corrupted and reinstalling is the goal.
VALORANT Uninstall Targets
| Component | Where You See It | What It Does | Do You Need To Remove It |
|---|---|---|---|
| VALORANT | Windows Installed Apps List | The game itself | Yes if you are uninstalling the game |
| Riot Vanguard | Windows Installed Apps List | Anti cheat required to run VALORANT on PC | Yes if you want everything removed |
| Riot Client | Installed in the Riot Games folder | Launcher that installs and updates Riot games | Optional but useful for a clean wipe |
How To Uninstall Valorant On Windows 11 And Windows 10 Quick Guide
This is the clean baseline for uninstalling VALORANT on PC. The one rule that matters is simple: close the Riot Client before you try to uninstall anything. If the launcher is still running, uninstall actions can fail or do nothing.
Windows Uninstall Quick Reference
Uninstall VALORANT On Windows
Close the Riot Client completely before uninstalling. If it is minimized, quit it from the system tray so the uninstall is not blocked.
Press the Windows key and search for Installed Apps (Windows 11) or Add Or Remove Programs (Windows 10 and Windows 11). Open the apps list.
Find VALORANT in the list and select Uninstall. Follow the prompts until it finishes.
Still in the apps list, find Riot Vanguard and uninstall it too. This removes the PC anti cheat component that VALORANT requires to run.
If Windows asks for a reboot, do it. Restarting clears locked files and services so the uninstall actually completes cleanly.
Re open the apps list and verify that VALORANT and Riot Vanguard no longer appear. If one is still there, reboot once and try uninstall again.
Do Not Forget Vanguard If You Want A Full Uninstall
Uninstalling VALORANT removes the game, but Vanguard is its own installed component on PC. If you want everything removed, uninstall Riot Vanguard too. If you play another Riot title that uses Vanguard, removing it will affect that game as well.
How To Disable Vanguard Temporarily Without Uninstalling
If your goal is just to stop Vanguard for a moment, you do not have to uninstall it. Vanguard can be turned off from its system tray icon. When you want it active again, a restart re enables it.
This is useful if you are troubleshooting a conflict and you want to verify whether Vanguard is involved. Just remember: VALORANT will not run while Vanguard is turned off.
How To Completely Remove Valorant Files Clean Uninstall On PC
A normal uninstall is enough for most people. A clean uninstall is for the situations where the install is corrupted, the launcher is stuck, or you want a true reset before reinstalling.
This cleanup focuses on folders that VALORANT and the Riot Client commonly leave behind. You do not need third party uninstallers for this.
Clean Uninstall Folder Targets
| Location | How To Open It | What To Remove | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
C:\Riot Games\ |
File Explorer | VALORANT and Riot Client folders | Removes leftover game and launcher files |
%localappdata% |
Win + R then type %localappdata% |
Riot Games and VALORANT folders | Clears local caches and configs that can break reinstalls |
| Recycle Bin | Desktop | Empty It | Actually frees disk space and removes deleted folders |
Clean Uninstall Steps
Do the standard uninstall from Windows Installed Apps so the main components are removed properly before you start deleting folders.
Open C:\Riot Games and delete the VALORANT folder and the Riot Client folder. If you installed to a different drive, delete the equivalent folders there.
This is not optional if you are trying to reclaim storage. Deleting large game folders without emptying the bin can leave your disk space unchanged.
Press Win + R, type %localappdata%, press Enter, then delete the Riot Games folder and the VALORANT folder.
Reboot once after cleanup. This clears any leftover background services and ensures your next reinstall starts fresh.
Manual Vanguard Uninstall Only If Vanguard Is Stuck
If Riot Vanguard refuses to uninstall normally, there is a manual removal method. Use this only when the standard uninstall fails, because it requires admin access and it deletes Vanguard services directly.
Only Use Manual Removal If Normal Uninstall Fails
Manual removal is a last resort. If you are not stuck, uninstall Riot Vanguard from Windows Installed Apps instead.
Manual Vanguard Removal Steps
| Step | Action | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Command Prompt as administrator | Start menu search cmd then Run as administrator |
| 2 | Run the two service delete commands |
|
| 3 | Restart your PC before deleting files | Windows Restart |
| 4 | Delete the Riot Vanguard folder | C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard |
How To Uninstall Valorant On PS5 Console Storage Method
On PlayStation 5, uninstalling VALORANT is straightforward because there is no separate Vanguard driver to remove. You delete the game from storage and reinstall later from your library.
Uninstall VALORANT On PS5
From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
Select Storage to view what is installed and how much space you have left.
Navigate to Console Storage then Games And Apps.
Choose VALORANT from the list and select Delete.
How To Uninstall Valorant On Xbox Series X|S Manage Game And Add Ons
On Xbox Series X|S, uninstalling VALORANT is also quick. You remove it directly from your installed games list. If you come back later, you can reinstall from your library.
Uninstall VALORANT On Xbox Series X|S
From the Xbox home screen, open My Games And Apps.
Find VALORANT in your installed games and highlight it.
Press the Menu button on your controller (the three line button), then select Manage Game And Add Ons.
Select Uninstall All to remove the game from storage.
Troubleshooting Valorant Uninstall When The Button Does Nothing
If you click uninstall and nothing happens, it is usually one of these issues. The fix is boring, but it works.
Common Uninstall Problems And Fixes
| Problem | What It Usually Means | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| VALORANT will not uninstall | Riot Client is still running | Exit Riot Client completely, then try again |
| Vanguard uninstall fails | Service or files are locked | Restart PC and uninstall again, then consider manual removal only if needed |
| Cannot delete Riot folders | Permissions or background processes | Reboot, then delete folders again after uninstall |
| Still low space after deleting | Recycle Bin still holds the files | Empty the Recycle Bin after deleting game folders |
Before You Uninstall Make Sure You Are Not Fixing The Wrong Problem
A lot of players uninstall VALORANT because the game feels bad, not because they truly want it gone. If the real issue is hitching, unstable frame time, or background load, a full uninstall is a reset button, but it is not always the first best move.
If your match feels choppy, start by identifying whether it is frame time stutter, network instability, or an overloaded PC. If your numbers look fine but the client feels slow, it can help to isolate common causes of low client FPS. And if you are chasing a target cap, knowing what good FPS for gaming looks like on your monitor keeps you from tuning toward a number you cannot actually hold.
Uninstall And Reinstall Is A Legit Fix
A clean reinstall can fix broken updates and stubborn launch issues. Just make it clean: uninstall VALORANT, uninstall Riot Vanguard, delete leftover folders, reboot, then reinstall from the official installer.
Conclusion
If you want the fastest way to uninstall VALORANT on PC, exit Riot Client, uninstall VALORANT from Windows Installed Apps, uninstall Riot Vanguard, and restart if prompted. If you want a clean wipe, delete the VALORANT and Riot Client folders in C:\Riot Games, delete the Riot Games and VALORANT folders in %localappdata%, empty the recycle bin, and reboot.
On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, uninstalling VALORANT is even simpler: delete it from console storage and reinstall later from your library.
FAQ
How do I uninstall VALORANT on Windows 11 or Windows 10
Exit Riot Client first, then open Windows Installed Apps (or Add Or Remove Programs), uninstall VALORANT, uninstall Riot Vanguard, and restart your PC if prompted. If you want a clean wipe, delete the VALORANT and Riot Client folders in C:\Riot Games and clear the Riot Games and VALORANT folders in %localappdata%, then reboot.
Do I need to uninstall Riot Vanguard too
If you want a full removal of everything VALORANT uses on PC, yes. Riot Vanguard is a separate installed component. If you plan to reinstall VALORANT later, remember the game will not run without Vanguard.
Why can’t I uninstall VALORANT or Vanguard
The most common reason is that Riot Client is still running in the background or a Vanguard service is locking files. Exit Riot Client fully, restart your PC once, and try uninstall again. Only use the manual Vanguard removal method if the normal uninstall repeatedly fails.
How do I completely remove leftover VALORANT files
After uninstalling VALORANT and Riot Vanguard, delete the VALORANT and Riot Client folders in C:\Riot Games, empty the recycle bin, then delete the Riot Games and VALORANT folders in %localappdata%. Restart your PC after cleanup.
How do I uninstall VALORANT on PS5
Go to Settings, then Storage, then Console Storage, then Games And Apps. Select VALORANT and choose Delete.
How do I uninstall VALORANT on Xbox Series X|S
Open My Games And Apps, highlight VALORANT, press the Menu button, select Manage Game And Add Ons, then choose Uninstall All.
Discord
Instagram
Youtube
TikTok