Shifting Gears: How to Move Valorant to a New Drive Without Reinstallation

As Riot Games’ tactical shooter, Valorant, continues to expand with frequent updates, its file size grows accordingly. Many players find themselves needing to relocate the game to a different drive—whether to free up valuable space on their primary drive or to leverage the speed benefits of a solid-state drive (SSD).

The good news is that you can seamlessly shift Valorant to another drive without the hassle of a complete reinstallation, preserving your settings and minimizing downtime. Here’s a comprehensive guide to performing this move safely and efficiently.

Why Consider a Move?

There are several compelling reasons why players opt to move their Valorant installation:

• Free Up Space: The most common reason is to liberate space on your main drive, often the C: drive, which can become cluttered with operating system files and other applications.
• Boost Performance: Moving Valorant to a faster SSD can significantly improve loading times and overall game performance, offering a smoother and more responsive experience.
• Enhanced Organization: Consolidating your games on a dedicated drive can streamline management and make it easier to locate your installed titles.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Relocating Valorant

Moving Valorant is a straightforward process if you follow these steps carefully:

1. Prepare for the Move

Before you begin, ensure that both Valorant and the Riot Client are completely closed. It’s also crucial to verify that your target drive has sufficient available space to accommodate the game’s files.

2. Locate Your Valorant Installation

By default, Valorant is typically installed in the C:\Riot Games directory. If you’re unsure of its current location, you can easily find it through the Riot Client:

• Launch the Riot Client.
• Click the account icon located in the top-right corner.
• Navigate to “Settings.”
• Select “Valorant” to view the current installation path.

3. Move the Game Files

This is the core of the process. You will move the entire Riot Games folder, which contains both Valorant and the Riot Client.

• Cut (or Copy) the Riot Games folder from its current location.
• Paste the folder into your desired location on the new drive (e.g., D:\Riot Games).

4. Update the Riot Client

After moving the files, you need to inform the Riot Client of the game’s new location:

• Launch the Riot Client.
• Click on Valorant and select “Install.”
• In the installation window, look for an option such as “Already Installed?” or “Locate Game.”
• Navigate to the new location where you pasted the Riot Games folder. Open the VALORANT folder, then the live subfolder, and confirm your selection.
• The client will then verify the files. Once complete, the “Install” button should transform into a “Play” button, indicating a successful relocation.

5. Clean Up and Restart

• If you chose to “Copy” the folder instead of “Cut,” remember to delete the original Riot Games folder from the old drive to free up the space.
• Finally, restart your PC to ensure all changes take effect and the system recognizes the new file paths.

Alternative Methods for Moving Valorant

For those who prefer a more automated approach or face difficulties with manual file management, there are other viable options:

• Game Migration Tools: Applications like EaseUS Todo PCTrans or AOMEI Partition Assistant are designed to move installed programs, including Valorant, to different drives. These tools often feature user-friendly interfaces and can reduce the risk of errors, particularly for less tech-savvy users.
• Full Reinstallation: While slower, a complete uninstallation of Valorant followed by a fresh installation directly to your preferred drive is always an option. This method can be simpler for some users who prefer a clean slate.

Troubleshooting Tips

Should you encounter any issues after moving Valorant, consider these troubleshooting steps:

• Verify Client Path: Double-check that the Riot Client is correctly pointing to the game’s new directory.
• Check for Missing Files: Ensure that all game files were successfully moved and no data was left behind in the original location.
• Restart Client/PC: Often, simply restarting the Riot Client or your entire PC can resolve minor errors.
• Repeat the Process: If problems persist, carefully repeat the entire moving process, paying close attention to each step.

Moving Valorant to a new drive is a straightforward process that can significantly benefit your gaming experience by optimizing space and performance.

By following these steps, whether through manual file management or with the aid of a migration tool, you can ensure your progress and settings remain intact, allowing for a seamless transition to your new drive.