Uninstall League of Legends: Full Removal Guide

To uninstall League of Legends, you use the standard uninstall process for your operating system (Windows or macOS), then delete the remaining Riot Games folder to remove leftover files. This guide covers the full removal, including why leftover files persist, how to completely clean them, and what to do if the uninstaller fails.

Why Uninstalling League of Legends Is Not Always Straightforward

League of Legends uses a custom launcher (Riot Client) and installs files in multiple locations. The game itself is large (often 20–30 GB), but the uninstaller may leave behind configuration files, logs, and cached data. This happens because the Riot Client is a separate application from the game, and the uninstall process may not remove everything. Additionally, if you installed the game through a platform like Epic Games, you may need to uninstall through that platform as well.

How to Uninstall League of Legends on Windows

For Windows 10 and Windows 11, the most reliable method is to use the Settings app. Here are the steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features on older versions).
3. Search for “League of Legends” in the list.
4. Click the three-dot menu next to the game and select Uninstall.
5. Follow the prompts from the Riot Client uninstaller. It may ask you to confirm the removal of the game and the client.

If you do not see “League of Legends” in the list, check for “Riot Client” and uninstall that as well. The Riot Client is the launcher that manages the game, and removing it separately is sometimes necessary.

How to Uninstall League of Legends on macOS

On macOS, the process is slightly different because the game is installed as an app. Here is how to do it:

1. Open Finder.
2. Go to the Applications folder.
3. Find “League of Legends.app” and drag it to the Trash, or right-click and select Move to Trash.
4. Also look for “Riot Client.app” and remove it in the same way.
5. Empty the Trash to complete the removal.

However, this only removes the main app files. The game’s data is stored in ~/Library/Application Support/Riot Games and ~/Library/Logs/Riot Games. You should manually delete these folders to free up space completely. Use Finder’s Go > Go to Folder (press Shift + Command + G) to navigate to those paths and delete them.

Removing Leftover Files and Registry Entries (Windows)

After uninstalling, you may still have leftover files that take up space. To remove them:

• Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Riot Games (the default installation folder). If it still exists, delete it.
• Check %ProgramData%\Riot Games and %LocalAppData%\Riot Games for leftover config and log files. You can type these paths in the File Explorer address bar and delete the folders.
• Open the Registry Editor (type regedit in the Start menu) and search for “Riot Games” or “League of Legends”. Be careful: editing the registry can be risky. Only delete entries that clearly belong to Riot. If you are unsure, skip this step—it is not essential for the game to be removed.

Note that the game does not install a Windows service, so you do not need to stop anything before deleting files.

What to Do If the Uninstaller Fails or the Game Won’t Uninstall

If the uninstaller gets stuck or you see an error, try these steps:

1. Restart your computer and try again. Sometimes the Riot Client needs a fresh start.
2. Run the uninstaller as administrator. Right-click the game in the Start menu or in the Apps list and select “Run as administrator”.
3. Manually delete the game folder (C:\Riot Games) after the uninstaller fails, then uninstall the Riot Client from the Apps list.
4. Use a third-party uninstaller tool (like Revo Uninstaller) that scans for leftover files and registry entries. These tools are not affiliated with Riot, but they can help clean up remnants.

If you are reinstalling the game, you do not need to delete the Riot Client—just uninstall the game itself. However, if you are quitting permanently, remove both.

Common Misconceptions About Uninstalling League of Legends

One common misconception is that uninstalling the game deletes your account or skins. It does not. Your account, champions, skins, and match history are stored on Riot’s servers. Uninstalling only removes the local game files. You can reinstall later and log back in to find everything intact.

Another misconception is that you must delete the Riot Client to uninstall the game. That is false—the Riot Client is just a launcher. If you only want to remove the game, you can uninstall just “League of Legends” and keep the client for other Riot games like VALORANT.

Finally, some players think that uninstalling via the Control Panel (Windows) is different from the Settings app. Both do the same thing, but the Settings app is the recommended method on Windows 10/11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling League of Legends delete my account?

No. Your account is tied to your email and password on Riot’s servers. Uninstalling the game only removes local files. You can reinstall and log in to see all your progress.

How much space will I free up?

League of Legends typically takes 20–30 GB, but the exact size depends on updates and additional content. After uninstalling, you should also delete the leftover Riot Games folder to free up all space. On macOS, check the Application Support and Logs folders as well.

Can I uninstall just the Riot Client without uninstalling the game?

No. The Riot Client is required to run League of Legends. If you uninstall the client, the game will not launch. You can uninstall the game but keep the client if you play other Riot titles.

Why does the uninstaller leave files behind?

The Riot Client stores configuration, logs, and cache files in separate folders. The uninstaller is designed to remove the main game files, but it may not delete all user data to allow for a faster reinstall. This is common for many games and applications.

Is it safe to delete the Riot Games folder manually?

Yes, after you have uninstalled the game and the client, it is safe to delete the remaining Riot Games folder. However, if you plan to reinstall, you can leave it to speed up the process. If you are unsure, move the folder to the Recycle Bin first.

What if I installed League of Legends through Epic Games?

If you installed the game via the Epic Games Launcher, you should uninstall it through Epic’s library. Right-click the game and select “Uninstall”. This will also remove the Riot Client if it was installed as part of the process. If not, uninstall the Riot Client separately via the Windows Settings or macOS Applications folder.

Related

• Residential Proxy Abuse Detection Across Devices
• Mortal Shell 2: Getting & Using the Makeshift Projectile
• Async Work Norms & When to Meet