Valorant, the popular tactical first-person shooter developed by Riot Games, has amassed a dedicated player base worldwide since its release in 2020. However, whether due to technical issues, a desire to take a break, or a shift in gaming preferences, you may find yourself looking for a way to uninstall the game. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the steps of how to delete Valorant from your system, covering the process for various platforms, troubleshooting tips, and considerations to keep in mind.
Why Might You Want to Delete Valorant?
Before diving into the steps of how to delete Valorant, it’s helpful to understand why some players might choose to uninstall the game. There are several reasons, including:
- System Performance: Valorant requires certain hardware resources, and if your PC is struggling to run the game efficiently, uninstalling it can free up space and improve overall performance.
- Break from the Game: If you need a break from the game or find that it no longer aligns with your gaming preferences, uninstalling Valorant might be the solution.
- Storage Management: Valorant, along with its Riot Client and updates, can take up a significant amount of storage space. If you’re running low on space, removing the game could free up valuable storage.
How to Delete Valorant from Your Computer
Step 1: Use Riot Client to Uninstall Valorant
The most straightforward way to delete Valorant is through the Riot Client, which manages the game’s files and updates. Follow these steps:
- Open Riot Client: Launch the Riot Client by clicking on the desktop shortcut or finding it in your start menu.
- Access the Valorant Tab: Once in the Riot Client, click on the Valorant tab from the list of games.
- Uninstall Valorant: Look for the gear icon (settings) in the bottom right corner and select Uninstall.
- Confirm Uninstallation: A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the uninstallation. Click Yes to proceed.
This will start the uninstallation process, and Valorant will be removed from your system.
Step 2: Delete Remaining Valorant Files
Sometimes, even after uninstalling Valorant through the Riot Client, some leftover files may remain on your system. To ensure that all game-related files are deleted, you can manually remove them:
- Navigate to the Riot Folder: Go to the directory where the Riot Client installs its games. Typically, this will be located in:
- C:\Program Files\Riot Games (default installation directory)
- Delete Valorant Folder: Once in the Riot Games folder, delete the Valorant folder.
- Remove Configurations: To ensure all settings and user data are removed, navigate to the following directory:
- C:\Users[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Riot Games Here, you may find leftover configuration files that you can delete to fully remove Valorant from your system.
Step 3: Remove the Riot Client (Optional)
If you no longer wish to keep the Riot Client on your system, you can uninstall it as well. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel: Go to the Windows Control Panel by typing Control Panel in the search bar and selecting it.
- Select Programs and Features: In the Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features.
- Find Riot Client: Scroll down the list and find Riot Client in the list of installed programs.
- Uninstall Riot Client: Right-click on the Riot Client and select Uninstall. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once you’ve removed both Valorant and the Riot Client, the game will be completely uninstalled from your system.
How to Delete Valorant on macOS
If you’re using macOS, uninstalling Valorant is slightly different but still relatively straightforward. Here’s how to delete Valorant from your Mac:
- Open Finder: Click on the Finder icon in your dock.
- Navigate to Applications: In the Finder sidebar, select Applications.
- Locate Riot Client: Find the Riot Client app in the Applications folder.
- Delete Riot Client: Drag the Riot Client to the trash or right-click and select Move to Trash.
- Delete Valorant Files: To ensure all leftover files are removed, go to the Library folder:
- ~/Library/Application Support/Riot Games Delete any leftover files related to Valorant.
- Empty the Trash: Don’t forget to empty your trash to permanently delete the game from your system.
By following these steps, you will have successfully uninstalled Valorant from your macOS system.
Troubleshooting Issues While Deleting Valorant
While uninstalling Valorant is usually straightforward, some players may encounter issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips if you’re having trouble:
- Game Won’t Uninstall: If the game refuses to uninstall through the Riot Client, try restarting your computer and attempting the process again. Sometimes, background processes can interfere with the uninstallation.
- Leftover Files: If leftover files remain after the uninstall process, manually navigate to the Riot Games and Riot Client folders to remove them. You can also use third-party software to remove any stubborn files.
- Riot Client Not Uninstalling: If the Riot Client is not uninstalling through the standard method, use a dedicated uninstaller or check if there are any remaining processes related to the client in the Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) that need to be terminated before attempting to uninstall again.
Alternatives to Deleting Valorant
If you’re not ready to fully delete Valorant but want to take a break, consider the following alternatives:
- Reinstalling Valorant Later: Uninstalling Valorant does not mean you can’t reinstall it later. If you’re simply looking for a break, consider uninstalling it temporarily and reinstalling it when you’re ready to play again.
- Disabling Auto-Launch: If you don’t want the game to launch automatically, you can disable the Riot Client’s auto-launch feature through its settings without uninstalling the game.
- Pausing Updates: If you’re looking to pause updates but still want to keep the game installed, you can turn off automatic updates in the Riot Client.
What Happens When You Delete Valorant?
Once you delete Valorant, all your game data, including matches and settings, will be removed from your system. However, your Riot account will remain intact, and you can log in at any time to play again. If you plan to return to Valorant later, you can reinstall the game and pick up where you left off.
The Impact on Your Riot Account
It’s important to note that uninstalling Valorant doesn’t affect your Riot account. All your progress, purchases, and rankings are stored on Riot’s servers. This means you can always reinstall the game and pick up from where you left off, as long as you log in with the same account.
Conclusion: How to Delete Valorant and Beyond
In this guide, we’ve explored how to delete Valorant from both Windows and macOS, with step-by-step instructions for uninstalling the game and removing leftover files. While deleting Valorant may be a temporary solution for some, others may prefer to take a break from the game or free up storage space on their system. Regardless of the reason, you can always reinstall Valorant later and continue your journey.
Remember, if you encounter any issues during the uninstallation process, there are troubleshooting steps to help you resolve them. Whether you choose to fully uninstall the game or simply take a break, it’s entirely up to you.
