Uninstall Valorant Through Windows Settings

The fastest way to remove Valorant is through your Windows Settings menu. Open Settings, then go to Apps > Apps & features. Scroll down until you find Valorant in the list. Click on it once to highlight it, then click the three dots that appear to the right, and select Uninstall. A confirmation window will pop up — click Uninstall again to proceed.

Windows will remove the game files from your computer. This process usually takes two to five minutes depending on your system speed. Once the progress bar finishes, Valorant is gone from your PC. You can close the Settings window and move on.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings is the standard way to uninstall Valorant and removes all game files from your PC.
  • The Riot Vanguard anti-cheat system stays on your computer after uninstalling the game unless you remove it separately.
  • If Valorant won't uninstall normally, restart your PC and try again, or use the Control Panel as a backup method.
  • Deleting the Valorant folder manually without uninstalling first can leave behind files and registry entries that clutter your system.

Remove Riot Vanguard Anti-Cheat Separately

Valorant uses Riot Vanguard, an anti-cheat system that runs in the background even when the game is closed. Uninstalling Valorant does not remove Vanguard automatically. If you want it gone too, go back to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and look for Riot Vanguard in the list. Click it, select the three dots, and choose Uninstall.

Vanguard requires a restart to fully remove itself from your system. Windows will prompt you to restart — do so when you are ready. After the restart, Vanguard will no longer load at startup or monitor your system. This step is optional; many players leave Vanguard installed if they plan to play other Riot games like League of Legends.

What to Do If Uninstall Fails

Sometimes Valorant refuses to uninstall through Settings. This usually happens if the game is still running in the background or if another program is using game files. Close Valorant completely, then check your system tray (the small icons in the bottom right corner of your taskbar) for any Valorant or Vanguard processes. Right-click them and select Exit or Close.

Restart your PC, then try uninstalling again through Settings. If it still fails, open Control Panel (search for it in the Windows search bar), go to Programs > Programs and Features, find Valorant, click it, and select Uninstall. This is an older method but works when Settings fails. Follow the on-screen prompts to completion.

Delete Leftover Valorant Folders Manually

After uninstalling through Settings or Control Panel, some Valorant files may remain on your hard drive. These are usually harmless but take up disk space. To find and remove them, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Riot Games. If a Valorant folder still exists here, right-click it and select Delete. Empty your Recycle Bin afterward to free up the space permanently.

You may also find Valorant files in your user folder. Go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local and look for folders named Riot Games or Valorant. Delete these as well. The AppData folder is hidden by default — if you do not see it, click the View tab in File Explorer and check the box for Hidden items.

Clear Valorant From Your Start Menu and Shortcuts

After uninstalling, Valorant may still appear in your Start Menu or on your desktop as a shortcut. These are just links to the game and do not take up much space, but you can remove them for a cleaner desktop. Right-click the Valorant icon on your desktop or in the Start Menu and select Delete. If it is pinned to your taskbar, right-click it and choose Unpin from taskbar.

To remove it from your Start Menu entirely, right-click the Valorant tile in the Start Menu and select Uninstall. This removes only the shortcut, not the game itself — the game should already be gone if you followed the steps above. Once these shortcuts are cleared, no trace of Valorant will appear on your desktop or menus.

Check Disk Space After Uninstalling

Valorant takes up roughly 20 to 30 GB of disk space, depending on your system and how many updates you downloaded. After uninstalling and deleting leftover folders, you should see that space return to your available storage. To verify, right-click your C: drive in File Explorer, select Properties, and look at the Free space number at the bottom of the window. Compare it to what you noted before uninstalling.

If the space did not increase much, leftover files may still be hiding. Run Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files that Valorant may have created. Search for Disk Cleanup in the Windows search bar, select your C: drive, and check the boxes for Temporary files and Recycle Bin. Click Clean up system files to finish. This frees up additional space without affecting other programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Valorant remove Riot Vanguard automatically?

No. Vanguard is a separate program that stays on your PC after you uninstall Valorant. You must uninstall it separately through Settings > Apps > Apps & features if you want it removed. Many players keep Vanguard installed because it is also used by League of Legends and other Riot games.

Will uninstalling Valorant delete my account or game progress?

No. Your Valorant account and all progress are stored on Riot's servers, not on your PC. Uninstalling only removes the game files from your hard drive. If you reinstall Valorant later, you can log back in and your account will be exactly as you left it.

Can I uninstall Valorant while it is running?

No. You must close Valorant completely before uninstalling. If the uninstall window says the game is still in use, close Valorant, check your system tray for background processes, and restart your PC. Then try uninstalling again.

What if I see a Valorant folder in Program Files after uninstalling?

This sometimes happens if the uninstall process did not complete fully. Right-click the folder and select Delete. If you get an error saying the folder is in use, restart your PC first, then try deleting again. You can also use a file manager with elevated permissions if the standard delete does not work.

How much disk space will I free up by uninstalling Valorant?

Valorant typically uses 20 to 30 GB of space, though this varies based on updates and your system. After uninstalling and deleting leftover folders, you should recover most of that space. Run Disk Cleanup afterward to remove temporary files and maximize the space you reclaim.