Uninstalling Valorant on Windows and Mac

To remove Valorant from your computer, you need to uninstall both the game itself and the Riot Client launcher that runs it. The Riot Client is the program that starts when you want to play — removing just the game folder leaves the launcher behind, which will still take up space and appear in your system. The full removal takes about five minutes and requires access to your computer's settings.

On Windows, open the Start menu and type "Control Panel" into the search box. Click on "Programs and Features" (or "Add or Remove Programs" on newer Windows versions). Scroll down until you find "Riot Client" in the list. Click it once to select it, then click the "Uninstall" button at the top. A window will appear asking you to confirm — click "Uninstall" again. Windows will remove the Riot Client and Valorant together.

On Mac, open the Applications folder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock, then clicking "Applications" in the sidebar. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" or an process called "Riot Client." Right-click on it and select "Move to Trash." Then empty your trash by right-clicking the trash icon in your dock and selecting "Empty Trash." This removes both the launcher and the game.

Key Takeaways

  • You must uninstall the Riot Client launcher, not just the Valorant game folder, to fully remove the program from your system.
  • On Windows, use Control Panel or Programs and Features to uninstall; on Mac, drag the Riot Games folder to Trash.
  • After uninstalling, check your computer's storage to confirm the space has been freed up.
  • If uninstall fails or the program won't open, restarting your computer usually fixes the problem before you try again.

Removing Valorant From Your Hard Drive After Uninstall

Sometimes uninstalling through your system settings leaves behind leftover files and folders. These take up a small amount of space and don't affect performance, but removing them completely clears everything. On Windows, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Riot Games. If you see a folder there, right-click it and select "Delete." You may also find a folder at C:\Program Files\Riot Games — delete that too if it exists.

On Mac, open Finder and press Command + Shift + G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/process Support/ and press Enter. Look for any folders with "Riot" in the name and drag them to Trash. Then go to ~/Library/Caches/ and delete any files or folders containing "Riot" or "Valorant." Empty your trash when you're done.

If you cannot find these folders, that usually means they don't exist on your system — the standard uninstall removed everything. You don't need to search for them if you're not seeing them in these locations.

What Happens to Your Account When You Uninstall

Uninstalling Valorant does not delete your account or your progress. Your account remains tied to your Riot Games login, and all your cosmetics, rank, and agent unlocks stay with it. If you reinstall the game later and log in with the same account, everything will be there exactly as you left it.

Your login credentials are stored on Riot's servers, not on your computer. Removing the game files has no effect on your account status. You can uninstall and reinstall as many times as you want without losing anything.

Fixing Uninstall Problems

If the uninstall button is grayed out or the program won't remove, restart your computer first. Sometimes Windows or Mac locks files while the game is running in the background, even if you closed it. After restarting, try uninstalling again through Control Panel or Applications.

If uninstall still fails on Windows, try running the uninstaller as an administrator. Right-click on "Riot Client" in Programs and Features and look for an "Uninstall" option, then right-click that option and select "Run as administrator." On Mac, if you cannot move the Riot Games folder to Trash because it says the file is in use, restart your computer and try again when ready after startup, before opening any other programs.

If the Riot Client launcher is stuck and won't open or close properly, you can force it to close. On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, find "RiotClientServices.exe" or "RiotClientUx.exe" in the list, click it, and click "End Task." On Mac, press Command + Option + Esc to open Force Quit Applications, select "Riot Client," and click "Force Quit."

Freeing Up Storage Space After Removal

Valorant typically takes up between 20 and 30 gigabytes of storage, depending on your graphics settings and how many cosmetics you downloaded. After uninstalling, your hard drive should show that space as available again. On Windows, you can check this by opening File Explorer, right-clicking your C: drive, and selecting "Properties" — the pie chart shows how much space is used and how much is free.

On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select "About This Mac," and click the "Storage" tab. The bar at the bottom shows your total storage and what is available. If the available space hasn't increased after uninstalling, restart your computer — sometimes your system takes a moment to update the storage count.

Reinstalling Valorant Later

If you decide to play again, go to the official Valorant website and click the read button. This takes you to the Riot Client read page. read the installer, run it, and log in with your Riot Games account. The game will read and install automatically — this usually takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on your internet speed.

Your account and all your progress will be waiting for you. You don't need to create a new account or re-unlock anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does uninstalling Valorant delete my account?

No. Your account is stored on Riot's servers and tied to your login. Uninstalling only removes the game files from your computer. When you reinstall and log in, everything returns.

Will uninstalling free up space on my computer?

Yes. Valorant uses 20 to 30 gigabytes. After uninstalling through Control Panel or Applications and deleting leftover folders, that space becomes available. Restart your computer if the storage count doesn't update right away.

What if I uninstall but the Riot Client launcher stays?

The launcher should uninstall with the game when you use Control Panel or Applications. If it remains, search for "Riot Client" in your system settings and uninstall it separately. On Mac, check your Applications folder for any remaining Riot Games folders and drag them to Trash.

Can I uninstall just Valorant and keep the Riot Client?

The standard uninstall removes both together. If you want to keep the Riot Client for other Riot games, you can manually delete the Valorant game folder from C:\Program Files\Riot Games\VALORANT on Windows or the equivalent location on Mac, but this is not the recommended method.

How long does it take to uninstall Valorant?

The uninstall process itself takes two to five minutes. If you also delete leftover folders manually, add another two to three minutes. Restarting your computer before uninstalling can take longer depending on your system.