Uninstall Valorant through Windows Settings

The fastest way to remove Valorant is through your Windows Settings menu, which handles most of the uninstall work automatically. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then click the app when it appears. Navigate to Apps, then Apps & Features — this shows every program installed on your computer.

Scroll down until you find Valorant in the list. Click it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears. A confirmation window will pop up asking if you're sure — click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the game files and take you back to the Apps & Features list when it's done.

This method removes the game itself, but leaves behind the Riot Client — the launcher that runs Valorant. Most people want to remove that too, since it takes up space and runs in the background. Find Riot Client in the same Apps & Features list and uninstall it the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling through Windows Settings removes Valorant and the Riot Client automatically without extra steps.
  • The Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system stays on your computer after uninstalling the game and must be removed separately if you want it completely gone.
  • Restart your computer after removing Vanguard to finish the process and free up the space it was using.
  • If the uninstall fails or gets stuck, restarting Windows and trying again usually solves the problem.

Remove the Riot Vanguard Anti-Cheat System

Valorant uses a program called Riot Vanguard that monitors your computer while you play to prevent cheating. This program stays installed even after you remove the game, and many players want it gone because it runs at startup and uses system resources. To remove it, go back to Settings, Apps & Features, and search for "Vanguard" in the list.

Click Riot Vanguard and select Uninstall. A window will appear asking for permission to make changes to your computer — click Yes. The uninstall will complete, but Vanguard won't fully leave your system until you restart. Restart your computer to finish removing it completely.

After restart, Vanguard will no longer load when Windows starts up, and the folder it used will be gone. If you ever reinstall Valorant, Vanguard will install again automatically the first time you launch the game.

What Happens If Uninstall Gets Stuck

Sometimes the uninstall process freezes or fails partway through, usually because Windows is still using one of the game files. If this happens, restart your computer first — this closes any background processes that might be holding onto the files. After restart, go back to Settings and try uninstalling again.

If it fails a second time, try uninstalling the Riot Client before uninstalling Valorant itself. The Client sometimes locks files that the game needs to remove. Once the Client is gone, Valorant usually uninstalls without trouble.

In rare cases, a file gets corrupted and blocks the uninstall. If you've restarted twice and the uninstall still fails, you can manually delete the game folder. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Riot Games\VALORANT, right-click the folder, and select Delete. Then go back to Settings and uninstall whatever remains in the Apps & Features list.

Free Up Disk Space After Removal

Valorant and Vanguard together take up roughly 30 to 40 gigabytes of space, depending on your graphics settings and how many patches you've downloaded. After uninstalling, that space doesn't always show up as free right away — Windows needs to update its records. Restart your computer once more, then check your available storage in Settings under System, Storage.

If the space still hasn't appeared, Windows may be holding temporary files from the uninstall. Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Riot Games. Delete the entire Riot Games folder here. This removes leftover configuration files and cache that the uninstall didn't touch.

Reinstalling Valorant Later

If you decide to play Valorant again after removing it, you'll need to download it fresh from the official website. Go to playvalorant.com, click Download, and the Riot Client will install first. Once the Client is running, it will download Valorant automatically — this takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on your internet speed. Vanguard installs at the same time, so you don't need to handle it separately.

Your account and rank stay saved on Riot's servers, so you'll log back in to the same progress you had before. Any cosmetics, agents, or battle pass progress remains intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Valorant delete my account?

No. Your account, rank, cosmetics, and all progress are stored on Riot's servers, not on your computer. Uninstalling the game only removes the files from your hard drive. When you reinstall and log in, everything is still there.

Will removing Vanguard let me play other games better?

Vanguard uses a small amount of CPU and RAM while running, but most modern computers won't notice a performance difference in other games. If you're experiencing lag or stuttering, Vanguard is rarely the cause. Removing it won't noticeably speed up your system unless you have very limited resources.

What if I can't find Valorant in Apps & Features?

This usually means it was already uninstalled or installed in a non-standard location. Check C:\Riot Games\VALORANT in File Explorer — if the folder exists, delete it manually. If the folder is gone too, the game is already removed from your system.

Can I uninstall just Valorant and keep the Riot Client?

Yes. Uninstall Valorant through Apps & Features but leave the Riot Client installed. The Client will remain on your computer and can launch other Riot games if you play them. You can uninstall the Client separately whenever you want.

Do I need to uninstall Vanguard if I'm just taking a break from Valorant?

No. If you think you'll play again, leaving Vanguard installed saves you time — it will already be there when you reinstall the game. Uninstall it only if you want to free up the space or remove the startup process permanently.