Uninstalling VALORANT isn’t as straightforward as it sounds. Fortunately for gamers fed up with being killed by a stray Jett knife or any of the game’s quirks, there’s a way to finally rid yourself of the tactical shooter.
Uninstalling a program should be simple, but the game makes it frustrating and difficult, so don’t feel bad if you’ve been struggling with it. We’ve got some tips and detailed instructions on how to remove the game from your PC for good.
If you’re wondering how to uninstall VALORANT, you’re in the right place–just follow the steps below.
How to uninstall VALORANT
To uninstall VALORANT, first uninstall the anti-cheat software Vanguard using your system tray. Once that is done, you’ll be able to remove VALORANT from your computer using the usual method.
Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for each part of the uninstall process, including screenshots.
Step 1) Disable Riot Vanguard
Uninstall Vanguard, the anti-cheat system created by Riot Games:
- Open your system tray found on the bottom right-hand side of your desktop.
- Right-click on the red Vanguard icon.
- Select exit.
A message will pop up at this point asking if you want to “turn off” Vanguard. Click Yes.
Exit the Vanguard anti-cheat first.
Step 2) Uninstall Vanguard and VALORANT
When the Riot Games launcher is closed, you can uninstall both Vanguard and VALORANT as normal:
- Press the Windows Key or click the Windows icon on your taskbar.
- Type “Add or remove programs” in the search bar.
- Press enter.
From there, scroll down to “Riot Vanguard,” right-click, and uninstall. Finish the uninstall process.
Similarly, find the VALORANT app under the apps list and hit uninstall to delete the game. You can do the same for the Riot Client app if you don’t play or intend to continue playing any other Riot games like League and TFT.
Step 3) Restart your PC, then ensure all files are gone
Once the game is uninstalled, restart your PC and do one last check to make sure that there are no files from the game. Open up File Explorer and type in “C:\Riot Games” to find the Riot Games directory in your system. If there are any folders that remain here, feel free to delete them.
How to reinstall VALORANT
As frustrating as it can get, we can’t seem to get enough of the competitive experience of VALORANT’s tactical shooter. It’s addictive. It’s fun. It’s painful. It’s one of the best tactical shooters around.
So if you rage uninstalled the game and want to reinstall it, we won’t judge. It’s significantly easier to reinstall VALORANT compared to deleting it from your PC, so allow us to help you do so:
- Head to the Download VALORANT website.
- Click the Play Free button in the middle of the screen.
- Make a new Riot account or sign in to an old one.
- Click the Play Free button once more, and you’ll be a click away from downloading VALORANT.
While you may be fed up with abilities and getting flicked or run-and-gunned on the head, sometimes you’re just having a bad game, day, week, month, or year, and uninstalling the game seems to be the best way to tackle the emotions you feel looking at that long losing streak. If you want to remove it again, just scroll up, and follow the process.
Why am I having a bad time playing VALORANT?
VALORANT, or any multiplayer tactical FPS, isn’t for everyone. To win consistently, try practicing in these modes to help improve your gameplay:
- Deathmatch
- Practice Range
- Aim training apps
Make sure to practice your abilities in custom matches. Even if you’ve got the lineups and your aim is hot one day, you may get stuck in Elo hell or get queued with toxic or unhelpful players who hold you down. Unfortunately for players, that’s the nature of VALORANT.
Of course, you can always lessen the chances of getting poor teammates by queuing up with friends. If you’re looking for new friends to play with, check out these VALORANT LFG Discord Servers.
Another way to freshen up your VALORANT experience is by switching up your agent of choice. Changing your agent can change your mentality completely and help you get back in the saddle.
If neither of these options helps you enjoy the game more, deleting VALORANT could be the right choice for you. It’s not like you’ll lose anything. All the content you’ve acquired so far will be waiting for you if you ever choose to return.
