If you are looking for how to uninstall League of Legends, it usually means the normal uninstall did not work. You removed the game, restarted your computer, and still see Riot processes running, background services loading, or the Riot Client reinstalling files on its own.
This guide explains how to uninstall League of Legends completely, based on real system-level behavior on Windows and macOS. It does not skip steps, and it does not assume the standard uninstall is enough—because it is not.
The instructions below are written for users who want a clean, permanent uninstall with no leftover drivers, services, folders, or registry entries.
Table of Contents
Why Uninstalling League of Legends Is More Complicated Than Other Games
Before explaining how to uninstall League of Legends correctly, it is important to understand why so many uninstall attempts fail.
League of Legends does not install as a single application. It installs an ecosystem of components:
- League of Legends game files
- Riot Client (launcher, updater, account manager)
- Riot Vanguard (kernel-level anti-cheat driver)
Each component installs separately and runs independently. Removing only the game files leaves the launcher and anti-cheat active. Removing the launcher but not Vanguard leaves kernel drivers running. This is why users repeatedly search for how to uninstall League of Legends even after “uninstalling” it.
A successful uninstall requires removing all components in the correct order, followed by verification.
How to Uninstall League of Legends on Windows (Complete Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Fully Exit League of Legends and Riot Client
- Close League of Legends if it is running.
- Click the system tray (bottom-right corner).
- Right-click the Riot icon.
- Select Exit.
Why this step matters:
If the Riot Client is running, Windows will not fully release files and services. The uninstall may appear successful while leaving background processes behind. This is the most common reason uninstall attempts fail.
Step 2: Uninstall League of Legends
Windows 11
- Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Search for League of Legends.
- Click Uninstall and confirm.
Windows 10
- Open Control Panel → Programs → Programs and Features.
- Select League of Legends.
- Click Uninstall.
At this stage, only the game files are removed. This is not the full process for how to uninstall League of Legends.
Step 3: Uninstall Riot Client
- In Installed apps or Programs and Features, locate Riot Client.
- Click Uninstall.
- Confirm removal.
Why this step matters:
The Riot Client manages installations and updates. If it remains installed, it can automatically reinstall League of Legends without prompting the user.
Step 4: Uninstall Riot Vanguard (Critical)
Riot Vanguard must be removed separately.
- Go to Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
- Locate Riot Vanguard.
- Click Uninstall.
- Restart your computer immediately.
Why restarting is mandatory:
Riot Vanguard installs kernel-level drivers. These drivers unload only during a system reboot. Skipping the restart leaves Vanguard active even after uninstalling.
This step is essential to fully complete how to uninstall League of Legends on Windows.
How to Uninstall League of Legends on macOS
On macOS, dragging the app to Trash removes only the visible application. Support files and background data remain unless removed manually.
Step 1: Quit All Riot Processes
- Right-click League of Legends in the Dock and choose Quit.
- Open Activity Monitor.
- Confirm that no Riot or League processes are running.
Step 2: Remove League of Legends Application
- Open Applications.
- Drag League of Legends.app to Trash.
Step 3: Remove Riot Client on macOS
- In Applications, locate Riot Client.app.
- Drag it to Trash.
At this point, League appears uninstalled, but system files remain.
Remove Leftover Files and Folders (Windows & macOS)
This is the most overlooked step and the main reason users continue searching for how to uninstall League of Legends after uninstalling.
Windows Leftover File Locations
After uninstalling, manually check and delete the following folders if they exist:
C:\Riot Games\C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard\C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Riot GamesC:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Riot Games
Safe to delete:
Only folders clearly related to Riot or League of Legends.
Do not delete:
Shared system folders or Microsoft redistributables.
macOS Leftover File Locations
Open Finder → Go → Go to Folder, then remove:
~/Library/Application Support/Riot Games~/Library/Logs/Riot Games~/Library/Preferences/com.riotgames.*
These folders store cached settings, logs, and background preferences.
Windows Registry Cleanup (Advanced but Recommended)
Registry entries can cause reinstall issues or false detection of installed components.
- Press Win + R, type
regedit. - Navigate to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Riot GamesHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Riot Games
- Delete Riot-related keys only.
Why this step matters:
Leftover registry entries can interfere with future installs or prevent Windows from recognizing a clean uninstall state.
Common Problems When Uninstalling League of Legends
League of Legends Will Not Uninstall
Cause: Riot Client still running
Fix: Fully exit Riot Client and rerun the uninstall as Administrator.
Riot Client Reinstalls League Automatically
Cause: Leftover services or folders
Fix: Remove Riot Client and delete all Riot-related directories.
Riot Vanguard Blocks Removal
Cause: Vanguard driver still loaded
Fix: Disable Vanguard, restart the system, then uninstall.
Uninstall Option Is Missing
Cause: Corrupt installation
Fix: Reinstall Riot Client, then uninstall using the correct order.
How to Verify League of Legends Is Fully Removed
To confirm how to uninstall League of Legends was completed correctly, verify all of the following:
- No League of Legends, Riot Client, or Riot Vanguard entries in Installed Apps
- No Riot services running in Task Manager or Activity Monitor
- No Riot folders in Program Files or Application Support
- No Vanguard icon appearing at startup
If all checks pass, the uninstall is complete.
Reinstalling League of Legends Safely (Optional)
If you plan to reinstall later:
- Restart your system before reinstalling
- Download a fresh installer from Riot Games
- Do not restore old configuration or cache files
A clean reinstall avoids patch loops, crashes, and Vanguard-related errors.
Expert Validation: Why This Method Works
This uninstall process reflects how Riot software is actually structured at the system level, not how it appears on the surface.
- It accounts for launcher-based reinstall behavior
- It removes kernel-level anti-cheat drivers
- It clears leftover files and registry entries safely
- It includes verification steps to confirm success
Most uninstall guides fail because they stop after removing the game. This process does not.
Final Conclusion
Knowing how to uninstall League of Legends properly requires more than clicking uninstall once. A permanent uninstall means removing the game, the Riot Client, and Riot Vanguard, followed by cleanup of leftover files and system verification.
When completed correctly, your system is free of Riot services, background drivers, and reinstall triggers. Whether you choose to reinstall later or move on permanently, this process ensures League of Legends is truly gone.