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Uninstall Valorant on Windows 11 and Remove Vanguard

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Uninstall Valorant on Windows 11 and Remove Vanguard

To uninstall VALORANT completely on Windows 11, uninstall the game and Riot Vanguard separately, restart your PC if prompted, then check for leftover Riot Games folders and remove only the ones you no longer need. Vanguard may resist removal while its background service is running, so close Riot software first and use Windows’ installed-app controls rather than deleting the game folder as your only step.

What uninstalling VALORANT removes

VALORANT is installed alongside Riot Vanguard, Riot Games’ anti-cheat software. Removing the game does not always remove Vanguard automatically, so treat them as two separate programs when your goal is a full removal. Vanguard includes a Windows service and a tray component; these can make its uninstall process behave differently from deleting an ordinary folder.

Uninstalling the programs does not delete your Riot account. Your account, purchases, friends, and eligible game progress are associated with Riot’s online services, not simply stored in the local installation directory. A local uninstall also does not cancel any separate account or payment arrangement.

Before you begin

  • Save your work and close VALORANT, the Riot Client, and any Riot-related windows.
  • Use an account with administrator permission if Windows asks for approval.
  • Expect Windows to request a restart, especially after removing Vanguard. Restarting lets Windows unload its service and drivers cleanly.
  • If you plan to reinstall VALORANT soon, consider keeping Vanguard or reinstalling it with the game. VALORANT requires Vanguard to run.

Uninstall VALORANT and Vanguard in Windows 11

  1. Open Start, select Settings, then choose Apps and Installed apps.
  2. Find VALORANT in the list. Select the three-dot menu beside it and choose Uninstall. Confirm any Windows prompts and follow the uninstaller’s instructions.
  3. Return to Installed apps, find Riot Vanguard, and choose Uninstall. Confirm the prompt and allow the uninstaller to finish.
  4. Restart Windows if asked. If you were not prompted, a restart is still sensible after Vanguard removal, particularly if you intend to check for remaining files.

The precise prompts can vary with Windows updates and the installed Riot software. If an uninstall entry is missing, try the Windows search field in Installed apps, then check whether the Riot Client or game is still open. Do not assume that removing one entry has removed the other.

Remove leftover files safely

After uninstalling and restarting, check the folders where Riot software is commonly installed. Typical locations include C:\Riot Games and C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard, but the actual location can differ if you chose a custom drive or folder during installation.

  • Open File Explorer and inspect the Riot Games installation folder. If VALORANT or other Riot games are still installed there, do not delete the whole folder.
  • If the VALORANT and Vanguard uninstallers have completed, delete only clearly identified leftover folders for those programs that you no longer need.
  • Check any custom installation location you selected. You can use File Explorer’s search to look for folders named VALORANT, Riot Vanguard, or Riot Games, then verify what each contains before deleting it.
  • Empty the Recycle Bin only after confirming that you did not remove files you wanted to keep.

Do not manually delete Windows system folders, unfamiliar driver files, or entries in the Registry to “clean up” Vanguard. File names alone are not enough to establish that a file is safe to remove, and deleting shared Riot files can affect another Riot game or the Riot Client. If you have another Riot game installed, leave shared components in place unless its own uninstall process identifies them as removable.

Common problems and what to try

Vanguard will not uninstall: Close the Riot Client and VALORANT, including their notification-area icons. Restart Windows and try again from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. If Windows says the program is in use, restart before retrying rather than force-deleting its files.

The uninstall option is unavailable or the entry is missing: Check that you are signed in with permission to uninstall apps, and look for a pending restart. You can also search for the program by name in Installed apps. Avoid downloading third-party “uninstallers” from unfamiliar sources.

Windows asks for a restart: Accept it when convenient. Vanguard operates at a low level in Windows, and a restart helps finish removing components that were active during the session. If the prompt returns after restarting, check Installed apps to see whether Vanguard remains listed.

A Riot folder remains: A leftover folder is not necessarily a running service or a problem. Verify that the game and Vanguard are uninstalled, inspect the folder contents, and remove it only if it contains no files needed by another Riot product. Empty folders may also remain after an uninstaller has removed the program files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling VALORANT remove Riot Vanguard?
Not necessarily. Check Installed apps for Riot Vanguard and uninstall it separately if you want Vanguard removed too.

Do I need to restart after uninstalling Vanguard?
Restart if Windows requests it. Even without a prompt, restarting is a useful way to complete removal of a service that may have been active.

Can I delete the Riot Games folder?
Only if it contains no other Riot games or files you want to keep. Check the folder first; deleting it wholesale can remove shared files or another game’s installation.

Will uninstalling VALORANT delete my Riot account or purchases?
No. Removing local software from your PC does not itself delete your online account or its associated information.

Can I reinstall VALORANT without Vanguard?
No. VALORANT requires Vanguard to run, so installing or launching the game will require Vanguard again.

Confirm the removal

For a clean check, restart Windows, revisit Settings > Apps > Installed apps, and confirm VALORANT and Riot Vanguard no longer appear. Then inspect the installation location for only the leftovers you intended to remove. If you are unsure whether a folder belongs to another Riot product, leave it in place; a few unused files are safer than removing a component another application still needs.

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