The Riot Client serves as the central hub for Riot Games’ titles like League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics. While it’s designed to streamline updates and launch processes across multiple games, there may come a time when you want to uninstall it — perhaps you’re freeing up space, switching systems, or simply stepping away from Riot’s ecosystem.
TL;DR
Uninstalling the Riot Client isn’t as straightforward as removing just one app. You’ll often need to uninstall all Riot-related games first since they depend on the Client. After that, you’ll need to delete residual folders and registry entries to fully remove it. Proper cleanup ensures no background services or leftover files remain on your PC.
Why Uninstall the Riot Client?
There are several reasons you might want to uninstall the Riot Client. Here are a few common ones:
- You’re no longer playing any Riot games.
- You want to troubleshoot a corrupted installation.
- You’re moving the installation to a different drive.
- You need to free up disk space.
Whatever your reason, understanding how the Riot Client works helps ensure successful removal.
How the Riot Client Works
The Riot Client is more than just a launcher; it’s a foundational platform for Riot’s suite of games. When you download a Riot game, you’re also installing shared services and background processes through this client. For this reason, Riot doesn’t offer a direct way to uninstall the Client independently — you must first remove all Riot games associated with it.
Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstall the Riot Client Completely
1. Uninstall All Riot Games
Begin by uninstalling every Riot game you have installed. Here’s how:
- Open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
- Click on Programs and Features or Uninstall a Program.
- Locate games such as League of Legends, Valorant, or Legends of Runeterra.
- Right-click each title and select Uninstall.
Make sure all Riot games are removed. The Riot Client will stay installed until all associated games are gone.
2. Delete the Riot Client Manually
After removing all games, follow these steps to delete the client folder:
- Navigate to the following directories (one at a time):
C:\Riot GamesC:\ProgramData\Riot Games
- Right-click on the Riot Client folder and select Delete.
You might also find Riot-related folders in other user directories like C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local or Roaming. Delete any Riot folders you find there as well.
3. Use Task Manager to Kill Background Processes
Before removing any remaining files, ensure that no Riot processes are running:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Find any processes named RiotClientServices.exe or similar.
- Right-click and select End Task.
This ensures no files are being used and prevents potential permission errors.
4. Clean the Windows Registry (Advanced)
Warning: Editing the Windows Registry can be risky. Proceed only if you’re comfortable with these steps and always back up your registry first.
- Press Win + R, type
regedit, and hit Enter. - Using Ctrl + F, search for keywords like “Riot” or “Riot Games”.
- Right-click and delete any obvious Riot-related folders or keys.
Be careful not to delete unrelated registry entries that just happen to contain the term “riot”. When in doubt, leave it alone.
Optional: Use Third-Party Uninstaller Tools
If you’re not keen on manually cleaning files and registry entries, several reputable third-party tools can help:
- Revo Uninstaller
- IObit Uninstaller
- Geek Uninstaller
These tools scan for residual files and registry items left after conventional uninstalls and help remove them with a single click. They can be particularly useful for making sure stubborn files are gone.
What About Anti-Cheat Systems Like Vanguard?
If you’ve played Valorant, you’ll also have Riot’s anti-cheat software Vanguard installed on your system. It runs a kernel-level service that starts on boot, even if you’re not actively playing the game.
To remove Vanguard:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
- Find Riot Vanguard.
- Click Uninstall.
After uninstalling, reboot your PC to finalize the removal. If you still see the service running, manually remove startup entries using the Task Manager or System Configuration tool (msconfig).
How to Verify Riot Client Is Fully Uninstalled
To ensure everything is completely removed, do the following:
- Search your drive for any folders containing “Riot” or “Riot Games”.
- Check the Services panel (type
services.mscin Run) for any Riot background services. - Use a PC cleaner or file scanner to identify orphaned files or registry entries.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some pitfalls people often experience during uninstallation:
- Forgetting Vanguard: If you’ve played Valorant, Vanguard will persist even if the Riot Client is removed.
- Deleting the Client First: This may break removal processes for the games if dependencies aren’t cleared first.
- Not Ending Tasks: Background processes can prevent files from being deleted successfully.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If a game or service refuses to uninstall, try reinstalling it first — then proceed with a clean uninstallation. This resets system files and dependencies, giving you a fresh chance to remove everything properly.
You can also run the Windows Troubleshooter for installing/uninstalling programs. It can often detect broken registry entries or orphaned uninstallers and fix them for you.
Final Thoughts
The Riot Client might be an essential platform for modern Riot Games, but it’s not permanent if you no longer need it. While Riot doesn’t yet offer a dedicated “Uninstall Riot Client” button, following the steps outlined above ensures complete removal of the software and all associated services.
Whether you’re freeing up disk space or simply trimming down your software stack, taking the time to uninstall thoroughly can help your system stay cleaner and run better in the long run.
