Valorant, a free-to-play first-person shooter developed by Riot Games, has gained massive popularity globally, including in India. However, for various reasons, some players may want to uninstall the game. Whether you’re freeing up disk space, troubleshooting an issue, or just taking a break, uninstalling Valorant involves a few steps that are easy to follow.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to uninstall Valorant, covering methods for Windows, as it is the primary operating system for gaming in India. Additionally, we will discuss what to do if you encounter any issues during the uninstallation process, how to completely remove Riot Vanguard (Valorant’s anti-cheat software), and answer common questions Indian gamers may have.

Why You May Want to Uninstall Valorant

There are several reasons why players in India may want to uninstall Valorant:

1. Low Disk Space: Valorant takes up a significant amount of storage, and uninstalling it can free up space for other applications or games.
2. Technical Issues: Persistent bugs, crashes, or errors may push you to uninstall and reinstall the game to solve the problem.
3. Taking a Break: Sometimes, players just need a break from gaming and may wish to uninstall Valorant to avoid the temptation of playing.
4. Switching to Other Games: Some players uninstall Valorant to make room for new games or because they no longer find it enjoyable.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstall Valorant in India

Method 1: Uninstalling Valorant through Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel:
   • Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Control Panel, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Programs and Features:
   • Once the Control Panel opens, click on Programs and then select Programs and Features.
3. Find Valorant:
   • Scroll through the list of installed programs until you find Valorant. Right-click on it and select Uninstall.
4. Uninstall Riot Vanguard:
   • Once you’ve uninstalled Valorant, the anti-cheat software Riot Vanguard will still remain on your computer. Repeat the above steps to locate Riot Vanguard in the Programs list and uninstall it as well.
5. Restart Your Computer:
   • After uninstalling both Valorant and Riot Vanguard, restart your PC to ensure that all components are removed.

Method 2: Uninstalling Valorant Using the Riot Client

1. Open Riot Client:
   • Launch the Riot Client on your desktop or through the start menu.
2. Access the Game Library:
   • On the Riot Client’s main page, find Valorant in your game library.
3. Click Uninstall:
   • Click on the settings icon next to Valorant and select Uninstall. This will remove both the game and the Riot Vanguard software from your system.

Method 3: Manually Deleting Valorant Files

In some cases, Valorant may not show up in the Control Panel or the Riot Client, and you’ll need to delete the game manually:

1. Navigate to the Installation Folder:

Open File Explorer and go to the directory where Valorant was installed. By default, this is usually located at:
makefile
Copy code
C:\Riot Games\VALORANT

2. Delete the Folder:
   • Right-click on the VALORANT folder and select Delete. Be sure to also delete the Riot Games folder if you do not plan on using any other Riot Games.
3. Delete Riot Vanguard:

Similarly, navigate to the installation folder of Riot Vanguard, typically located at:
makefile
Copy code
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard

• Delete this folder as well.

4. Clean Registry Entries (Advanced Step):
   • For advanced users, you may want to remove Valorant-related entries from the Windows Registry to ensure complete removal. Open the Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Windows search bar and pressing Enter. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Services and delete any Valorant or Riot Vanguard entries. Be very careful when editing the Registry, as deleting the wrong keys can cause system issues.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Uninstalling Valorant

1. Valorant Won’t Uninstall:
   • If you are unable to uninstall Valorant using the above methods, try restarting your computer and attempting the uninstallation again.
   • Alternatively, you can use third-party uninstallation tools like IObit Uninstaller to remove stubborn programs.
2. Riot Vanguard Prevents Uninstallation:
   • Riot Vanguard is deeply embedded into the system for anti-cheat purposes. Ensure that Riot Vanguard is not running in the background before trying to uninstall it. You can disable it by right-clicking the Vanguard icon in the system tray and selecting Exit.
3. Files Left Behind After Uninstallation:
   • Even after uninstalling Valorant, some files or folders may remain on your computer. To ensure complete removal, manually delete the Valorant and Riot Vanguard folders from their respective directories.

Alternatives to Valorant: Popular Games in India

If you’re uninstalling Valorant but still want to enjoy other games, there are several popular alternatives that Indian gamers love:

1. CS
   (Counter-Strike: Global Offensive):
   • A classic tactical shooter that has a strong player base in India.
2. PUBG Mobile:
   • Despite being temporarily banned, PUBG remains a popular choice for Indian gamers with alternatives like BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India) available.
3. Apex Legends:
   • Another popular battle royale game that has a growing community in India.
4. Call of Duty: Warzone:
   • This free-to-play battle royale offers a fast-paced experience and is gaining popularity among Indian gamers.

FAQs: How to Uninstall Valorant 

1. Will uninstalling Valorant delete my account?

• No, uninstalling Valorant will not delete your account. Your progress, skins, and settings are all stored on Riot Games’ servers. You can reinstall the game and log in to your account at any time.

2. Can I reinstall Valorant after uninstalling it?

• Yes, you can easily reinstall Valorant by downloading it from the official Riot Games website.

3. How much space does Valorant take up?

• Valorant itself takes up approximately 15-20 GB of space, depending on updates. Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software, requires an additional 200-300 MB.

4. Why do I need to uninstall Riot Vanguard separately?

• Riot Vanguard is a separate software from Valorant, designed for anti-cheat purposes. It needs to be uninstalled separately to ensure the complete removal of the game and its components from your system.

5. Are there any risks in manually deleting Valorant files?

• Manually deleting files from the installation folder can lead to residual files being left on your system. To ensure a complete and clean uninstallation, it’s recommended to follow the Control Panel or Riot Client method.

6. Is there an uninstaller for Riot Vanguard?

• Yes, Riot Vanguard can be uninstalled through the Control Panel, just like any other program. Search for it under Programs and Features and click Uninstall.

7. Will uninstalling Valorant improve my computer’s performance?

• Uninstalling Valorant can free up disk space, which may lead to improved performance if your hard drive was running low on space. However, unless Valorant was actively consuming system resources, the performance boost may not be significant.

8. Can I play Valorant on another account after uninstalling it from one?

• Yes, you can play Valorant on another account by simply logging in with the alternate account after reinstalling the game.

9. What happens if I uninstall Valorant during an update?

• If you uninstall Valorant during an update, the update will stop, and the game will be removed. If you reinstall Valorant later, you’ll need to download the latest update again.

10. How do I remove all traces of Valorant from my computer?

• To completely remove all traces of Valorant, uninstall the game through the Control Panel, manually delete any remaining folders in the installation directory, and clean your Windows Registry by removing Valorant-related entries.

Uninstalling Valorant is a straightforward process, and whether you’re uninstalling it for space, performance issues, or a break, the steps mentioned above will guide you through it efficiently. Additionally, if you’re located in India and want to reinstall the game later, your progress and account information will remain intact, allowing you to pick up right where you left off.

By following these instructions, gamers can ensure a clean uninstallation process for both Valorant and Riot Vanguard, making way for new games or resolving any technical issues they might have encountered.

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