How To Uninstall Games On Riot Client

To uninstall games on Riot Client, navigate to the game in your library, click the three dots, and select “uninstall”.

Ever felt your hard drive groan under the weight of installed games? The Riot Client is fantastic, but sometimes you need to clear some space. Knowing how to uninstall games on Riot Client is a useful skill for any gamer. It’s actually a simple process, making it easy to remove titles you are not currently playing.
This guide will show you the specific steps. You’ll be freeing up space and managing your game library effectively in no time!

How to Uninstall Games on Riot Client

Okay, so you’re thinking about making some space on your computer or maybe you’re just not feeling a particular Riot game anymore. That’s totally fine! The Riot Client is where all of Riot’s awesome games hang out, like League of Legends, Valorant, and Teamfight Tactics. When it’s time to say goodbye to one of them, it’s good to know exactly how to do it. This isn’t like just tossing a toy in the bin; it’s a little more precise. But don’t worry! It’s very easy once you know the steps.

Understanding the Riot Client

Before we jump into removing games, let’s talk a little about the Riot Client. It’s the central hub for all Riot Games. Think of it like a game store on your computer. It helps you install, update, and play your favorite Riot titles. This client keeps everything in one tidy place, which is awesome, but it also means uninstalling is a little different than just deleting a program file. You have to tell the Riot Client you want a game gone, and it will handle the behind-the-scenes work of uninstalling. Knowing this helps you understand why we need to follow the steps we are about to learn.

The Direct Method: Uninstalling Through the Riot Client

This is the most common and easiest way to get rid of a game you no longer want. The Riot Client has a built-in feature specifically for uninstalling games, making the process smooth and simple. Here’s how you do it:

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Open the Riot Client: Look for the Riot Client icon on your desktop or in your start menu. It’s the one that looks like a red fist. Click it to open.
2. Navigate to Your Games: Once the client is open, you’ll see all the games you’ve installed. They’re usually displayed as big icons.
3. Find the Game to Uninstall: Locate the game you want to remove. Let’s say you are done with Valorant. Find the Valorant icon.
4. Access Uninstall Options: Hover your mouse cursor over the game’s icon you want to uninstall. You will see three dots appear in a line (…), usually near the game’s logo or the bottom of its game card. Click on these three dots. This action will open a small menu with options.
5. Choose Uninstall: In the menu that pops up, you’ll see an “Uninstall” option, select this.
6. Confirm Your Decision: A little box will pop up to double-check if you’re really sure. This is the Riot Client making sure you don’t accidentally remove your game. Click “Uninstall” or “Yes, Uninstall” to confirm.
7. Wait for the Uninstall: The Riot Client will begin the process. Depending on the game and your computer’s speed, this may take a few minutes. You will see a progress bar indicating the uninstallation. Don’t close the Riot Client during this process. It’s important to let it finish to make sure everything is removed correctly.

Things to Consider

• Internet Connection: Make sure you have a stable internet connection during the uninstall process. The Riot Client may need to communicate with servers to finish the uninstallation.
• Game Updates: Sometimes, if there is a pending update for the game, the uninstall option may not be available. In that case, try to either finish the update or try again after a restart of your client.
• Time: Be patient! Uninstalling games, especially larger ones, can take a bit of time. Don’t get worried if it seems like it is taking longer than you expected.

Alternative Method: Using the Control Panel (Windows)

While the Riot Client method is the preferred way, you can also try uninstalling a Riot Game through your Windows Control Panel. This method is a little more general, but it can still be helpful. It also is helpful in situations where for any reason the Riot Client cannot find the game to uninstall from their software.

Step-by-Step Guide for Windows Users

1. Open the Control Panel: You can find the Control Panel by typing “Control Panel” into the search bar located at the bottom left of your screen.
2. Go to Programs and Features: Once the Control Panel is open, look for “Programs” or “Programs and Features”. Click on that.
3. Find Your Game: A list of all installed programs will appear. Scroll down until you find the Riot Game you want to uninstall.
4. Click Uninstall: Click on the game, and then an “Uninstall” button should appear at the top or somewhere near the program. Click “Uninstall”.
5. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: A window will pop up asking if you’re sure you want to uninstall. Follow the prompts to finish the uninstallation process.

Important Notes

• Not Always Perfect: This method may not remove all traces of the game from your computer. Sometimes, leftover files may need to be manually deleted.
• Riot Client Requirement: Sometimes, when you try this method, you will be prompted to uninstall from the riot client, in that case, you can follow the instructions that are mentioned before to remove the game from the client
• Administrator Rights: You will most likely need administrator rights to uninstall this way.

Dealing with Leftover Files and Folders

After uninstalling a game, sometimes little bits and pieces may remain on your computer. These are often small files and folders, and they don’t usually cause any problems, but if you are a tidy person you may want to remove them. If you want a completely clean sweep, it’s a good idea to check for and delete these leftover bits. Here’s how:

Manual File Cleanup

After uninstalling, go to the installation folder for that game. If you remember where you installed the game (the place where you first installed the game), go to the location, it is most likely that the folder still exists. Check and see if there is any data inside, then manually delete the folder, so there are no traces of it.

• Common Locations:
  • C:\Riot Games
  • C:\Program Files\Riot Games
  • C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Riot Games
• Look for Game-Specific Folders: Within those locations, look for folders named after the game you uninstalled. For example, “VALORANT” or “League of Legends”.
• Careful Deletion: Be careful when deleting folders and files. Only remove files or folders that are clearly related to the uninstalled game. If you are not sure of what something is, leave it alone to avoid issues with other programs on your computer.
• Recycle Bin: Don’t forget that you still need to empty your recycle bin to finish the deletion permanently.

Using Disk Cleanup

Windows has a built-in tool called Disk Cleanup that can help clear out temporary files, including some leftover bits from uninstalled programs. Here’s how to use it:

1. Search for Disk Cleanup: Type “Disk Cleanup” into the search bar and open the program.
2. Select Your Drive: Choose the drive where you had installed the Riot game (usually your C: drive).
3. Select Files to Delete: In the box that opens up, check the boxes for temporary files, recycle bin and other options you want to clear.
4. Clean Up System Files: You will have an option that says “Clean up System files”. You can try that as well for a more robust cleanup.
5. Start the Cleanup: Click on “OK” to start the cleaning. This might take some time to finish.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes things don’t go perfectly as planned. You might encounter some issues during the uninstallation process. Here are some common ones and how to fix them:

Problem: Uninstall Option Not Available

Solution:

• Check for Updates: Make sure the game you want to uninstall is not pending any updates. Try updating the game and then uninstall.
• Riot Client Restart: Try closing and reopening the Riot Client. Sometimes this can refresh the client and make the uninstall option appear.
• Run as Administrator: Try running the Riot Client as an administrator. To do that, right click on the client icon and then select “Run as administrator”.

Problem: Error During Uninstall

Solution:

• Restart Your Computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix a lot of issues. Try restarting your computer before attempting to uninstall again.
• Check for Running Processes: Make sure the game or any related processes are not running in the background. You can check this by opening the Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc). Try ending the processes related to the game if they are running.
• Reinstall and Uninstall: In some cases, reinstalling the game and then uninstalling it can resolve some stubborn problems.

Problem: Game Still Appears in Riot Client

Solution:

• Client Restart: This is the most simple method that most people overlook. Restarting the riot client after you have uninstalled the game from the riot client solves this issue most of the time.
• Riot Client Reinstall: If a simple restart doesn’t help, you may need to completely reinstall the Riot Client itself. Doing this is like giving the client a fresh start.

Why Uninstall Games?

There can be many reasons why you might want to uninstall a game. Here are a few common ones:

• Freeing Up Space: Games can take up a lot of space on your computer’s hard drive or SSD. If you’re running low on space, uninstalling a game can help.
• No Longer Playing: If you are not playing a game anymore and don’t see yourself in the near future, it is best to remove it.
• Fixing Issues: Sometimes, reinstalling a game after uninstalling can help fix problems you may be having.
• Trying New Games: You may want to remove a game to free up space to make room for a new game you may want to install.
• Improving Performance: Sometimes if you have too many games installed, your computer may have some performance issues, uninstalling the games that you don’t use will help with the performance of your computer.

Uninstalling games on the Riot Client is pretty straightforward and easy to do. Whether you use the Riot Client directly or the Control Panel, make sure to follow the steps and ensure you remove any leftover files for the best outcome. Now you have learned everything you need to know about uninstalling games from the riot client.

How To Uninstall Riot Client – Full Guide

Final Thoughts

To remove a game, navigate to the installed games section within the Riot client. Click the three dots on the game’s icon. You will see an uninstall option to click on.

Confirm the action, and the client will begin the removal process. This process efficiently deletes all game data from your computer.

Therefore, you now know how to uninstall games on riot client with a few simple clicks. This ensures smooth management of your installed games.