TL;DR
- Use system uninstallers for basic removal but address Vanguard anti-cheat conflicts separately
- Windows users must exit Vanguard from system tray before attempting game uninstallation
- Complete cleanup requires removing Riot Client and Vanguard if you don’t play Valorant
- Kernel-level Vanguard requires system reboot for Valorant functionality restoration
- Manual registry cleanup may be needed for stubborn installation remnants

Many gamers discover that removing League of Legends presents unexpected challenges compared to the straightforward installation process. Understanding the technical hurdles can transform a frustrating experience into a smooth removal operation.
While dedicated League enthusiasts may never consider deleting the game, various circumstances drive removal decisions. Players might experience growing frustration with gameplay mechanics, encounter performance issues, or simply move on to other titles. Some individuals recognize gaming addiction patterns and require complete software elimination to break compulsive play habits effectively.
Riot Games’ ecosystem design, whether intentional or not, creates removal obstacles. Fortunately, proven techniques exist that enable thorough deletion from storage devices when you know the proper procedures.
The most reliable approach involves utilizing your operating system’s built-in application removal tools.
For Windows systems, follow this comprehensive removal sequence:
- Access system configuration settings
- Navigate to “Apps & Features” section
- Locate League of Legends in the installed programs list
- Select the uninstall option and confirm the action
MacOS users can accomplish complete removal through this alternative method:
- Activate the “Go” function from the finder menu bar
- Choose “Applications” from the dropdown selection
- Identify the League of Legends application icon
- Drag the application to the Trash icon
- Open Trash and execute “Empty Trash” command
Both procedures should successfully eliminate the core game files from your system.
Following primary game removal, consider deleting the Riot Client and Vanguard anti-cheat software independently. Valorant players intending to continue with that title should retain these components, as both are mandatory for gameplay. Exclusive League of Legends participants can remove all three applications to maximize storage space recovery.
Some systems generate error messages indicating inability to uninstall the game. This typically stems from a frequently encountered but easily resolved technical conflict.

When uninstallation attempts fail, the solution typically involves deactivating Vanguard anti-cheat software first.
Vanguard represents Riot Games’ persistently active security platform that has generated significant community discussion. Originally developed exclusively for Valorant, despite documented glitches, compatibility challenges, and privacy debates, the system eventually integrated with League of Legends. Because Vanguard operates continuously as a separate process from the game, removal becomes impossible while it’s actively running.
Consequently, users must terminate Vanguard before initiating uninstallation. Windows participants can achieve this through these systematic actions:
- Locate the Riot Vanguard icon in the system tray
- Execute right-click action on the icon
- Choose “Exit Vanguard” from the context menu
After completing this preliminary step, the standard uninstallation method described earlier should proceed without complications.
Gamers who maintain both League of Legends and Valorant installations must restart their computers before returning to Valorant sessions. This requirement exists because Riot Vanguard functions as a kernel-level anti-cheat mechanism that initializes before other software components. Accordingly, it cannot be casually terminated and reactivated, and Valorant will remain inaccessible until system reboot occurs.
For users seeking comprehensive system purification beyond basic uninstallation, additional maintenance procedures ensure complete removal. These advanced techniques address residual files and registry entries that standard methods might overlook.
Manual file cleanup becomes necessary when standard removal processes leave detectable remnants.
Windows participants can perform registry maintenance by accessing the registry editor and removing Riot Games entries. Exercise extreme caution during this process, as incorrect registry modifications can cause system instability. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftware and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARE locations to delete relevant keys.
Performance impact assessment reveals that complete removal typically liberates 8-12GB of storage space, depending on installed content and patch history. The recovery of this capacity can significantly benefit systems with limited storage resources.
Common removal mistakes include attempting to delete game files manually without proper uninstallation, which can leave registry artifacts and configuration files. Proper sequence execution ensures clean removal without residual system clutter that might affect future installations or system performance.
For gamers exploring alternative titles, our Complete Guide to Battlefield 6 provides comprehensive orientation for transitioning players. Understanding different game ecosystems helps optimize your gaming experience across multiple platforms.
Action Checklist
- Exit Vanguard anti-cheat from system tray before starting uninstallation
- Use system uninstaller for League of Legends removal
- Remove Riot Client if you don’t play other Riot games
- Delete Vanguard anti-cheat unless you continue playing Valorant
- Restart system if you play Valorant to restore anti-cheat functionality
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » How to uninstall League of Legends and how to fix it if you can’t Complete guide to properly uninstalling League of Legends and troubleshooting common removal issues
