Uninstalling a competitive shooter isn’t always as simple as clicking delete. Many players search for how to uninstall Valorant due to performance issues, Vanguard errors, or because they want to free up space.
If you’re trying to understand how to uninstall Valorant, you need to know that removing only the game is not enough. In fact, how to uninstall Valorant properly involves deleting Riot Vanguard and clearing leftover files. And before we continue, know that to know more about all the relevant content about gaming, you just have to check our blog.
What does uninstall Valorant completely means?
So, what is the correct way to uninstall Valorant completely? It means removing both the game and its anti-cheat system while ensuring no background services remain active.
Before starting, keep in mind that skipping steps can cause reinstall errors or persistent issues. That’s why following a structured process is essential.
Even more, Vanguard runs at a deep system level. Because of that, many users fail to remove it correctly on the first attempt.
How to uninstall Valorant on PC (step-by-step guide)
When learning how to uninstall Valorant on pc, there are two main methods available. Both are effective depending on your situation.
Method 1 – Uninstall via Control Panel
First of all, the most reliable method is through the Windows Control Panel.
Steps:
- Press Windows + R
- Type appwiz.cpl and press Enter
- Find Valorant in the list
- Right-click and select Uninstall
- Follow the on-screen instructions
This method works well in most cases. However, it may not remove Vanguard automatically.
Method 2 – How to uninstall Valorant from Riot Client
Another option is using how to uninstall Valorant from riot client directly through the launcher.
Steps:
- Open Riot Client
- Click your profile icon
- Go to Settings
- Locate installed games
- Click Uninstall next to Valorant
When to use each method
- Use Control Panel if Riot Client is not opening
- Use Riot Client for faster removal
- Try both if one method fails
Check also: The Latest Valorant Update: What’s New and What to Expect
How to uninstall Valorant Vanguard completely
One of the biggest mistakes when learning how to uninstall Valorant vanguard is forgetting to remove it entirely.
Method 1 – Remove via system tray
Steps:
- Locate Vanguard icon in system tray
- Right-click and select Exit
- Open Control Panel
- Find Riot Vanguard
- Click Uninstall
Method 2 – Remove using Command Prompt
If Vanguard refuses to uninstall:
Steps:
- Open Command Prompt as administrator
- Type:
- sc delete vgc
- sc delete vgk
- Restart your PC
Why Vanguard must be removed
- Runs in background automatically
- Causes uninstall errors
- Can affect performance
Why you can’t uninstall Valorant and how to fix it
Sometimes, even after following steps, users still struggle with how to fully uninstall Valorant.
Common causes
- Background services still running
- Corrupted uninstall files
- Lack of admin permissions
- Leftover registry entries
Fix “Vanguard still running” error
Follow this sequence:
- Open Task Manager
- Stop vgc and vgk services
- Run Command Prompt commands
- Restart PC
- Try uninstall again
You may also like: The Best Valorant skins: How to Get Them and Which Are Worth It
How to completely uninstall Valorant and remove leftover files
If you want how to completely uninstall Valorant, you must remove residual files.
Delete Riot folders
Go to:
- C:\Program Files\Riot Games
- C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard
Delete both folders.
Clean AppData and Documents
Check:
- C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Valorant
- C:\Users\YourName\Documents\Valorant
Delete remaining files.
Cleanup table
| Location | What to delete | Purpose |
| Program Files | Riot Games / Vanguard | Main files |
| AppData | Config files | Remove leftovers |
| Documents | Logs | Full cleanup |
How to uninstall Valorant Windows 11 and Windows 10 differences
When searching how to uninstall Valorant windows 11, many players wonder whether the process changes depending on the system. In reality, both Windows 10 and Windows 11 follow the same logic, but the interface and navigation paths are slightly different.
Understanding these differences helps you avoid confusion and speeds up the uninstall process.
Windows 11 method
First, Windows 11 uses a cleaner and more modern interface. Because of that, uninstalling apps is faster and more intuitive.
- Open Settings
- Go to Apps
- Click Installed Apps
- Find Valorant
- Click the three dots and select Uninstall
Additionally, Windows 11 allows you to search apps instantly, which makes it easier to locate Valorant if you have many programs installed.
Check this: Valorant Schedule: Upcoming Events, Tournaments, Updates & Maintenance
Windows 10 method
On the other hand, Windows 10 still relies more on the traditional Control Panel structure.
Steps:
- Open Control Panel
- Click Programs and Features
- Locate Valorant
- Right-click and uninstall
Although both systems work, Windows 11 reduces friction and makes the process more accessible for newer users.
Key differences between Windows versions
- Windows 11 uses Settings instead of Control Panel
- Windows 11 has faster search functionality
- Windows 10 requires more manual navigation
These differences don’t affect the outcome, but they do impact the user experience.
Does uninstalling Valorant improve performance?
Many players researching how to uninstall Valorant are actually trying to fix performance issues. So, does uninstalling really help?
When uninstalling helps
In some scenarios, removing the game can improve your system:
- Frees up 15–25GB of storage
- Prevents Vanguard from launching at startup
- Reduces background CPU usage
- Improves boot time and responsiveness
For low-end PCs, these changes can be noticeable right away.
When uninstalling does not fix lag
However, uninstalling isn’t always the solution. Many performance issues are related to connection problems rather than hardware.
For example:
- High ping during matches
- Packet loss spikes
- Poor routing to Riot servers
In these cases, removing the game won’t solve the root problem.
Read also: Understanding Valorant Rank Distribution and the Competitive Ladder
Common mistakes when uninstalling Valorant
Even after learning the basics of how to uninstall Valorant, players often make mistakes that lead to incomplete removal.
Mistakes to avoid
- Forgetting to uninstall Vanguard
- Not stopping background services
- Skipping system restart
- Leaving residual files in AppData
These errors can cause reinstall issues later or even keep Vanguard running silently.
Best practices for a clean uninstall
- Always remove Vanguard first or immediately after
- Restart your PC after uninstalling
- Check Program Files and AppData folders
- Use admin privileges during the process
Following these practices ensures a truly clean system.
How ExitLag improves your Valorant experience
Even after learning how to uninstall Valorant, many players eventually reinstall the game. That’s when performance optimization becomes essential.
ExitLag is built specifically to improve connection stability using advanced routing technology. Instead of relying on a single unstable path, it dynamically selects the best routes in real time.
What ExitLag does
- Reduces ping spikes
- Stabilizes connection routes
- Prevents packet loss
- Improves overall responsiveness
Why it matters in Valorant
In a tactical FPS, milliseconds define outcomes. A small delay can impact your aim, reaction time, and decision-making.
With ExitLag, players gain:
- More stable matches
- Better hit registration
- Reduced lag during fights
- Consistent performance in ranked games
Instead of uninstalling out of frustration, optimizing your connection can completely transform your gameplay.
You should check more games compatible with ExitLag at our official games page.
FAQ — how to uninstall Valorant properly
To fully remove the game, you must uninstall both Valorant and Riot Vanguard. First, remove the game using Control Panel or Riot Client. Then, stop Vanguard services and uninstall it separately. After that, delete leftover folders from Program Files and AppData. This ensures no hidden files remain that could cause issues later.
Vanguard operates at a kernel level, which means it starts with your system. Even after uninstalling Valorant, it may continue running in the background. To fix this, you need to manually stop its services (vgc and vgk) using Task Manager or Command Prompt before removing it completely.
Yes, but the correct order is important. First uninstall Valorant, then remove Riot Vanguard, and finally uninstall the Riot Client. Doing it in this sequence prevents leftover services and avoids errors during future installations.
Your Riot account remains safe. All skins, ranks, and progress are stored online. Uninstalling only removes local files from your PC, so you can reinstall anytime and continue where you left off without losing anything.
After completing all uninstall steps, restart your PC. Then download the latest Riot Client and install Valorant again. A clean reinstall helps avoid bugs, Vanguard conflicts, and performance issues that may have affected your previous installation.
Yes, if your goal is a complete uninstall. Vanguard is separate from the game and won’t always be removed automatically. Leaving it installed can cause background processes to continue running, which may impact system performance or trigger errors later.
Final thoughts on how to uninstall Valorant safely
Now that you understand how to uninstall Valorant, you can remove the game without leaving hidden files or background processes behind.
Above all, how to uninstall Valorant correctly means removing Vanguard, cleaning residual data, and restarting your system to finalize the process. Whether you’re uninstalling temporarily or preparing for a fresh reinstall, following these steps guarantees better performance and fewer technical issues. And know that ExitLag can drastically improve your gameplay for an accessible price. To know more, check our pricing page.
Got questions or want to connect with other players? Join the conversation at the ExitLag Forum!
