Removing VALORANT requires a structured two stage process because the Riot Vanguard anti cheat system runs at the kernel level. If Vanguard is not removed first, uninstallation attempts may fail and the Vanguard driver may continue running in the background. This guide explains the correct procedure for a clean and complete removal.
Phase 1. Uninstall Riot Vanguard First
Riot Vanguard installs kernel level components, including vgk.sys, which must be removed before uninstalling VALORANT.
- Open Windows Settings
Press the Windows key and type Add or remove programs
Or navigate to:
Settings > Apps > Apps and features - Locate Riot Vanguard
Scroll through the list or use the search field to find Riot Vanguard - Select Uninstall
Click Riot Vanguard and select Uninstall
Confirm any security permissions if requested - Restart your computer
Restarting is mandatory to unload the kernel driver from system memory and remove it properly
Do not proceed until the restart is complete.
Phase 2. Uninstall VALORANT and Riot Client
- Open Settings again
Settings > Apps > Apps and features - Uninstall VALORANT
Search for VALORANT
Select Uninstall - Uninstall Riot Client
Search for Riot Client
Select Uninstall
After this step, the core application files are removed. The next phase handles remaining data and folder cleanup.
Phase 3. Remove Leftover Files and Directories
A. Delete Main Installation Folder
- Open File Explorer
- Navigate to:
C:\Riot Games - Delete the entire Riot Games directory
If the installation was located on another drive such as D:, delete the Riot folder in that location instead.
B. Remove Cached Data and AppData Folders
- Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog
- Enter:
%localappdata% - Delete the following folders if they exist:
Riot Games
VALORANT - Open Run again and enter:
%programdata% - Delete:
Riot Games
These directories contain configuration data, logs, and temporary files.
Advanced Removal Procedure (If Vanguard Fails to Uninstall)
If Riot Vanguard refuses to uninstall through Windows Settings, remove its services manually using Command Prompt.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator
Press the Windows key and type cmd
Right click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator - Run the commands below one by one:
sc delete vgc
sc delete vgk
- Restart your computer immediately after executing the commands
- After restart, manually delete the folder if present:
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard
Final Removal Verification Checklist
| Phase | Task |
|---|---|
| I. Vanguard Removal | Uninstall Riot Vanguard first |
| Mandatory Restart | Restart PC before game removal |
| II. Game Removal | Uninstall VALORANT |
| Launcher Removal | Uninstall Riot Client |
| III. File Cleanup | Delete C:\Riot Games |
| Cache Cleanup | Delete folders in %localappdata% and %programdata% |
| Final Step | Empty Recycle Bin |
After completing these steps, VALORANT and all Riot components are fully removed.
Reference and Support Resources
Riot VALORANT Official Support
https://support-valorant.riotgames.com
Riot Vanguard Documentation
https://support-valorant.riotgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046160933
Windows Apps and Feature Uninstall Guide
https://support.microsoft.com
REFramework Official Website
https://reframework.dev
Additional technical sources may be included depending on topic relevance, including GitHub repositories or system level documentation.