Are you ready to uninstall League of Legends? Whether you're taking a break from Summoner's Rift or freeing up hard drive space, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of completely removing League of Legends from your system. We'll cover different operating systems (Windows and macOS) and address common issues you might encounter.
Understanding the Uninstallation Process
Before we dive into the steps, it's important to understand that simply dragging the League of Legends folder to the Recycle Bin isn't sufficient. League of Legends installs various files across your system. A proper uninstallation ensures these files are removed completely, preventing conflicts and freeing up valuable disk space.
Deleting League of Legends on Windows
The easiest method for Windows users is through the standard uninstallation process:
Method 1: Using the Control Panel
- Open the Control Panel: Search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and open it.
- Access Programs and Features: Click on "Programs and Features" (or "Uninstall a program," depending on your Windows version).
- Locate League of Legends: Find "League of Legends" in the list of installed programs.
- Uninstall: Right-click on "League of Legends" and select "Uninstall." Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
- Restart your computer: This ensures all files are properly removed.
Method 2: Using the Riot Client (If Applicable)
If you installed League of Legends through the Riot Client, you might find an uninstall option within the client itself. Check the settings or account management section for an uninstall button. This method might be preferred as it handles additional Riot-related files.
Manually Removing Leftover Files (Optional but Recommended)
Even after using the standard uninstall process, some files might remain. Manually deleting these ensures a clean removal. Caution: Only delete files you are absolutely certain are associated with League of Legends. Incorrectly deleting files can cause system instability.
Locations to check for leftover files include:
- %ProgramFiles%\Riot Games: This is the primary installation directory.
- %ProgramData%\Riot Games: This folder contains configuration and settings data.
- %LocalAppData%\Riot Games: This directory stores temporary files and user-specific data.
- Your Documents folder: Check for any League of Legends-related folders.
Remember to replace %ProgramFiles%, %ProgramData%, and %LocalAppData% with their actual paths. You can do this by opening File Explorer and typing the variables into the address bar.
Deleting League of Legends on macOS
Deleting League of Legends on macOS is simpler. However, similar to Windows, leftover files may need manual removal for a complete uninstall.
- Drag the League of Legends Application to the Trash: Locate the League of Legends application in your Applications folder and drag it to the Trash.
- Empty the Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon and select "Empty Trash."
- Manually Check for Leftover Files (Optional but Recommended): Similar to Windows, check your user library folder (
~/Library) for any files associated with League of Legends. Be cautious when deleting files in this directory.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Uninstallation Errors: If you encounter errors during the uninstallation process, try running the uninstaller as an administrator.
- Leftover Files: Manually deleting leftover files is crucial for a complete uninstall.
- Registry Entries (Windows): While usually handled by the uninstaller, stubborn registry entries might remain. Using a dedicated registry cleaner (use with caution!) might be necessary in extreme cases.
By following these steps, you can successfully delete League of Legends from your computer, freeing up space and ensuring a clean system. Remember to always back up important data before undertaking any major file deletion.
