How to Completely Uninstall Battle.net (and Blizzard Games)

Uninstalling Battle.net, also known as the Blizzard Battle.net app, might seem straightforward, but ensuring a complete removal requires a few extra steps. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to thoroughly uninstall Battle.net and related games, freeing up valuable disk space and resolving potential software conflicts. We’ll cover different methods, including the standard uninstallation process, manual file deletion, and using specialized uninstaller tools.

Table of Contents

Understanding Battle.net And Its Components

Battle.net is more than just a game launcher; it’s a platform that manages your Blizzard Entertainment games, handles updates, and facilitates social interactions. When you install Battle.net, it creates several files and folders on your system, including the main application, game files, cached data, and configuration settings. Simply deleting the application icon won’t remove all these components. A complete uninstall ensures that all associated files are removed, preventing potential issues with future installations or other software.

Before proceeding with the uninstallation, it’s wise to back up any game saves or custom configurations you wish to retain. Blizzard typically stores game progress on their servers, but local settings might be specific to your computer. Look for game-specific folders within the “Documents” folder or the game’s installation directory for any files you want to save.

Standard Uninstallation Method

The most common way to uninstall Battle.net is through your operating system’s built-in uninstaller. This method is generally reliable and removes the core application files. Here’s how to do it on Windows and macOS.

Uninstalling Battle.net On Windows

Windows provides multiple ways to access the uninstall program. Here’s a step-by-step guide using the Control Panel:

Close the Battle.net app completely. Ensure it’s not running in the system tray (the area near the clock). Right-click the Battle.net icon in the system tray and select “Exit.” You can also use Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) to force-close any Battle.net processes if needed.
Open the Control Panel. You can find it by searching for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar.
In the Control Panel, select “Programs” and then “Programs and Features.” If you’re using the “Category” view, click “Uninstall a program” under “Programs.”
Locate “Battle.net” in the list of installed programs.
Select “Battle.net” and click “Uninstall.”
A confirmation window will appear. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation. You might be asked if you want to uninstall Blizzard games as well. Choose the appropriate option based on whether you want to remove the games too.
Once the uninstallation is complete, restart your computer. This ensures that any remaining files are properly removed.

Alternatively, you can uninstall Battle.net through the Windows Settings app:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I.
Click on “Apps” and then “Apps & features.”
Scroll down to find “Battle.net” in the list of installed apps.
Select “Battle.net” and click “Uninstall.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation, as described above.

Uninstalling Battle.net On MacOS

Uninstalling Battle.net on macOS is similarly straightforward, though the location of the uninstaller is slightly different.

Quit the Battle.net app completely. Make sure it’s not running in the Dock. Right-click the Battle.net icon in the Dock and select “Quit.” You can also use Activity Monitor (found in Applications > Utilities) to force-quit any Battle.net processes if needed.
Open Finder and navigate to the “Applications” folder.
Locate the Battle.net application icon.
Drag the Battle.net icon to the Trash.
Empty the Trash.
Open Finder and click on “Go” in the menu bar, then select “Go to Folder…”
Type ~/Library/Application Support/Blizzard and press Enter.
Delete the “Battle.net” folder.
Again, open Finder and click on “Go” in the menu bar, then select “Go to Folder…”
Type /Users/Shared/Battle.net and press Enter.
Delete the “Battle.net” folder.
Empty the Trash again.

Restarting your Mac after the uninstallation is recommended.

Manual File And Folder Deletion

After using the standard uninstaller, some files and folders associated with Battle.net might remain on your system. Manually deleting these files ensures a more thorough removal. Exercise caution when deleting files, as removing important system files can cause problems.

Windows: Locating And Deleting Remaining Files

After uninstalling Battle.net through the Control Panel or Settings app, check the following locations for remaining files and folders:

Program Files (x86) and Program Files: Look for a folder named “Battle.net” or “Blizzard Entertainment” in both the C:\Program Files (x86) and C:\Program Files directories. If found, delete them.
ProgramData: This folder is hidden by default. To access it, type %ProgramData% in the Windows search bar and press Enter. Look for a folder named “Battle.net” or “Blizzard Entertainment” and delete it.
AppData: This folder contains application-specific data. To access it, type %AppData% in the Windows search bar and press Enter. Then, navigate to the “Local” and “Roaming” folders within AppData. Look for any folders related to Battle.net or Blizzard and delete them.
Registry Entries: Editing the Windows Registry can be risky, so proceed with caution. It’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following keys and delete any entries related to Battle.net:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Blizzard Entertainment
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Blizzard Entertainment
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Blizzard Entertainment (if applicable)
Empty your Recycle Bin after deleting the files.

MacOS: Locating And Deleting Remaining Files

After uninstalling Battle.net by moving it to the Trash, check these locations for remaining files:

~/Library/Application Support: Open Finder, click on “Go” in the menu bar, then select “Go to Folder…” Type ~/Library/Application Support and press Enter. Look for a folder named “Blizzard” or “Battle.net” and delete it.
/Users/Shared: Open Finder, click on “Go” in the menu bar, then select “Go to Folder…” Type /Users/Shared and press Enter. Look for a folder named “Battle.net” and delete it.
/Library/Preferences: Open Finder, click on “Go” in the menu bar, then select “Go to Folder…” Type /Library/Preferences and press Enter. Delete any .plist files related to Battle.net or Blizzard. (e.g., com.blizzard.Installer.plist).
Empty your Trash after deleting the files.

Using Third-Party Uninstaller Tools

If you’re having trouble completely uninstalling Battle.net using the standard methods, consider using a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools are designed to thoroughly remove software and associated files, including registry entries and leftover data.

Popular uninstaller tools include Revo Uninstaller (Windows), IObit Uninstaller (Windows), and CleanMyMac X (macOS). These tools typically scan your system for all files and registry entries related to the application you want to uninstall and provide an option to remove them completely.

When using a third-party uninstaller, follow the instructions provided by the software. Be cautious about installing and using any software from untrusted sources, as they may contain malware or other unwanted programs.

Uninstalling Blizzard Games

If you want to uninstall Blizzard games along with Battle.net, you can do so through the Battle.net app or manually.

Uninstalling Games Through Battle.net

Open the Battle.net app.
Select the game you want to uninstall from the left-hand menu.
Click the “Options” dropdown menu (usually represented by a gear icon).
Select “Uninstall.”
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Manual Game Uninstallation

If you’ve already uninstalled Battle.net or prefer to remove the games manually, you can delete the game installation folders. The default installation locations are usually:

Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\[Game Name] or C:\Program Files\[Game Name]
macOS: /Applications/[Game Name]

Simply delete the game’s folder to uninstall it. Remember to empty the Recycle Bin (Windows) or Trash (macOS) afterward.

Troubleshooting Uninstallation Problems

Sometimes, you might encounter problems during the uninstallation process. Here are some common issues and their solutions:

“Access Denied” Errors: This usually means that a process is still using a file you’re trying to delete. Close all Battle.net-related processes in Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (macOS) and try again. You might also need to take ownership of the folder or file.
Uninstaller Not Working: If the standard uninstaller isn’t working, try downloading the latest version of Battle.net from the official Blizzard website and running the installer. The installer might include an option to uninstall the existing version.
Files Still Remaining After Uninstallation: This is common. Use the manual file deletion steps described above to remove any remaining files and folders.
Registry Errors: If you’ve accidentally deleted incorrect registry entries, you can try restoring your system from a backup or using a registry cleaner tool. However, use these tools with caution, as they can potentially cause more problems.
Game Still Listed on Battle.net: After uninstalling a game, Battle.net might still show it as installed. Restart the Battle.net app, and it should refresh the list of installed games. If that doesn’t work, try clearing the Battle.net cache as described earlier.

By following these steps, you can completely uninstall Battle.net and any associated Blizzard games from your computer, freeing up disk space and resolving potential software conflicts. Remember to back up any important data before proceeding with the uninstallation, and exercise caution when deleting files and editing the registry.

What Are The First Steps I Should Take Before Uninstalling Battle.net?

Before you begin the uninstallation process, it’s crucial to close both the Battle.net desktop app and any Blizzard games that are currently running. Check your system tray (usually located in the bottom right corner of your screen) for the Battle.net icon and right-click it to select “Exit” or “Close.” If you’re unsure if any Blizzard processes are still active, open your Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for processes related to Battle.net or Blizzard games. End any of these processes before proceeding.

Backing up your game settings and saved data is also a very good idea. While uninstalling Battle.net generally doesn’t delete your game files, it’s always best to be cautious. Locate the folders where your games are installed (usually within the Battle.net directory) and copy the relevant save game folders to a safe location, such as an external drive or another folder on your computer. This will ensure that you can restore your progress if anything unexpected happens during the uninstallation.

How Do I Uninstall The Battle.net Desktop App Through The Windows Control Panel?

The most straightforward way to uninstall Battle.net is through the Windows Control Panel. Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Windows search bar and selecting it. Then, navigate to “Programs” and click on “Uninstall a program” (or “Programs and Features” depending on your Windows version). This will display a list of all the programs installed on your computer.

Locate the Battle.net desktop app in the list of programs. Select it and then click the “Uninstall” button at the top of the list (or right-click on Battle.net and select “Uninstall”). Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation process. You may be asked to confirm your decision or provide administrator privileges. Once the uninstallation is complete, the Battle.net desktop app should no longer appear in the list of installed programs.

What Do I Do If I Can’t Uninstall Battle.net Through The Control Panel?

If you encounter issues uninstalling Battle.net through the Control Panel, it’s possible that some files or processes are interfering with the uninstallation. A common cause is remnants of the Battle.net app still running in the background, even if you’ve tried to close them. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and ensure that all Battle.net-related processes, including Agent.exe, Blizzard Update Agent.exe, and any game processes, are completely terminated. Try the uninstallation again after ensuring nothing is still running.

Alternatively, you can try using a dedicated uninstaller program like Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller. These programs are designed to remove software completely, including any leftover files and registry entries. Download and install one of these uninstallers, then use it to uninstall Battle.net. These programs often have a “force uninstall” or “deep scan” feature that can be helpful in removing stubborn applications like Battle.net when the standard uninstallation fails.

Are There Any Leftover Files I Need To Manually Delete After Uninstalling Battle.net?

Even after uninstalling Battle.net through the Control Panel or a dedicated uninstaller, there may be some leftover files and folders on your system. These files can take up disk space and, in rare cases, cause issues with future installations. It’s important to manually check for and delete these remnants to ensure a clean uninstallation.

The most common locations for leftover Battle.net files are the “Program Files” and “ProgramData” folders. Check the following directories: C:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net, C:\Program Files\Battle.net, and C:\ProgramData\Battle.net. If you find any folders or files related to Battle.net in these locations, delete them. Also, check your “Documents” folder for any Blizzard-related folders. Be careful not to delete any files that you need, such as save game data, before deleting the folders.

How Do I Remove Battle.net-related Registry Entries From My System?

After uninstalling Battle.net, there may be some leftover registry entries that could potentially cause issues in the future. Removing these entries is recommended for a complete clean up, but it’s important to proceed with caution, as modifying the registry incorrectly can cause system instability. Before making any changes, create a backup of your registry by exporting it.

To access the Registry Editor, press the Windows key + R, type “regedit,” and press Enter. Navigate to the following keys and look for any entries related to Battle.net or Blizzard Entertainment: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE, and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node (if you are on a 64-bit system). If you find any entries related to Battle.net or Blizzard, right-click on them and select “Delete.” Be extremely careful to only delete entries that you are certain are related to Battle.net. After deleting the entries, restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

What Should I Do If I Want To Reinstall Battle.net After Uninstalling It?

Reinstalling Battle.net after uninstalling it is a straightforward process. First, ensure that you have completely removed all traces of the previous installation, including leftover files, folders, and registry entries as described in previous answers. This is crucial for a clean and successful reinstallation. Double-check that the directories and registry keys are clear before proceeding.

To reinstall Battle.net, simply go to the official Blizzard website and download the Battle.net desktop app installer. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions. The installer will download and install the latest version of the Battle.net app. Once the installation is complete, you can log in with your Blizzard account and reinstall your Blizzard games. Remember to restore your backed-up save game data if you wish to continue from where you left off.

Will Uninstalling Battle.net Delete My Blizzard Game Accounts Or Progress?

Uninstalling the Battle.net desktop app does not delete your Blizzard game accounts or game progress that is stored on Blizzard’s servers. Your game accounts and associated progress are linked to your Blizzard account, not to the local installation of the Battle.net app. You can reinstall Battle.net on any computer, log in with your account, and still have access to your games and progress.

However, if you have saved game data locally on your computer (e.g., in a specific save game folder for a particular game), uninstalling Battle.net might delete those local save files if they are stored within the Battle.net or game installation folders. This is why backing up your save game data before uninstalling is always recommended. By backing up your save files, you can restore them after reinstalling the game and continue your progress from where you left off.