Alright, let's talk about uninstalling Escape from Tarkov. Seems straightforward, right? Just hit uninstall and walk away. But honestly? It’s rarely that simple, especially with a beast like Tarkov. Maybe you need the space back for another game, maybe the wipe cycle got you down, or maybe you're just taking a break but want a clean slate for later. Whatever your reason for searching how to uninstall Tarkov, this guide is gonna cover everything – the quick ways, the deep cleans, the sneaky leftover files, and those annoying "why is it still taking up space?!" moments. I’ve been there, wrestling with BattlEye leftovers and hidden config files myself.

Before You Pull the Trigger: Prep Work Matters

Jumping straight to uninstall is like running into a raid without checking your ammo. Bad idea. Taking a couple of minutes now saves potential frustration later. Trust me on this.

Know Where Everything Lives

Tarkov isn't just one neat package. Files get scattered. Knowing the main spots helps you hunt down stragglers:

• The Game Itself: Usually lives where you installed it via the launcher. Common default is C:\Battlestate Games\BsgLauncher.
• Your Precious Profile: Your progress, stash, settings – this is gold. By default, it's buried in your user folder: C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\LocalLow\Battlestate Games\EscapeFromTarkov. (AppData is hidden, remember? You'll need to show hidden files in File Explorer options).
• Launcher Logs & Temp Files: The BSG launcher creates its own junk, usually near the game install or in AppData.
• BattlEye: The anti-cheat loves to leave bits behind. It often installs to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\BattlEye or C:\Program Files\BattlEye.

Seriously, jot down or screenshot these paths. It’s boring, but finding your profile folder later when it's gone? Painful.

Back Up Your Profile (Seriously, Do It!)

This is the step everyone thinks they can skip until they regret skipping it. Uninstalling through normal methods usually DOES NOT delete your profile. But... accidents happen. Updates change things. Better safe than staring at a level 1 character.

How to back up:

1. Navigate to that AppData folder path above.
2. Find the folder named something like EscapeFromTarkov or maybe tied to your account ID.
3. Copy the ENTIRE folder.
4. Paste it somewhere safe – Documents, an external drive, cloud storage. Name it clearly, like "Tarkov Profile Backup Dec2024".

Done. Now you can breathe easy. I learned this the hard way after a Windows reinstall ate my profile once. Never again.

Plan Your Revenge (Cleanup Strategy)

How clean do you want it?

• Just the Game: Quick uninstall via the launcher or Windows. Fine if you might reinstall soon.
• Everything Including BattlEye: Need a deeper clean? Maybe troubleshooting? Requires manual cleanup.
• Nuclear Option: Removing every trace, including leftover registry entries (advanced, use caution).

Deciding upfront avoids half-measures.

Uninstalling Tarkov: Your Method Options

Okay, prep done. Time for action. Here's how you can actually get rid of it.

The Standard Way: Using the BSG Launcher

This is the easiest route and what most folks searching for uninstall tarkov will try first.

1. Open the Escape from Tarkov launcher (BsgLauncher.exe). Log in if needed.
2. Find the game tile for Escape from Tarkov. Look for the three dots (...) usually in the top-right corner of the tile.
3. Click the dots. A menu pops up. Select "Uninstall".
4. Confirm you want to uninstall when prompted. The launcher will start doing its thing.
5. Wait. It can take a while, especially on slower drives. Go make a coffee.

What this does: Removes the bulk of the game files downloaded through the launcher. It *should* also remove the launcher's own game management files related to Tarkov.

What it leaves behind (Usually):

• Your player profile folder in AppData (your settings, screenshots, cache).
• The BSG Launcher itself.
• BattlEye anti-cheat files.
• Potential leftover logs or temp files.

Honestly, this method is fine for freeing up the main game space (which is huge). But if you want a truly clean removal or are having issues, it's not gonna cut it. I find BattlEye sticking around especially annoying.

The Windows Programs & Features Route

If the launcher is acting up or you just prefer the Windows way:

1. Open the Windows Start menu.
2. Type "Add or remove programs" and hit Enter.
3. Scroll down the list until you find "Escape from Tarkov".
4. Click on it, then click the "Uninstall" button that appears.
5. Follow any on-screen prompts.
6. Windows might ask if you want to remove the game for all users (say yes if applicable).

What this does: Similar to the launcher method. Triggers the game's built-in uninstaller. Removes the core game files.

What it leaves behind: Same leftovers as the launcher method – profile, launcher itself, BattlEye, misc files.

Frankly, it's almost identical to using the BSG launcher. Neither gets you that squeaky-clean finish.

The Deep Clean: Manual Removal (For the Thorough)

This is for when you want Tarkov *gone*. Maybe you're troubleshooting persistent issues, freeing maximum space, or just want a completely fresh start later. It involves more steps but is effective. This is the real answer to how to uninstall tarkov completely.

1. Uninstall via Launcher or Windows First: Do the standard uninstall method above. Gets rid of the big chunk.
2. Nuke Your Profile & Settings:
   • Open File Explorer.
   • Navigate to: %userprofile%\AppData\LocalLow\Battlestate Games (Paste this into the address bar).
   • Delete the "EscapeFromTarkov" folder inside. THIS DELETES YOUR LOCAL SETTINGS AND CACHE. You backed it up, right?
   • Also check %userprofile%\Documents for any leftover "EscapeFromTarkov" folders (screenshots might be here).
3. Kill the Launcher:
   • Go back to "Add or remove programs" in Windows.
   • Find "BSG Launcher".
   • Uninstall it.
   • Go to the original launcher install location (likely C:\Battlestate Games\BsgLauncher). If the folder is still there, delete the entire "BsgLauncher" folder.
4. Eradicate BattlEye: This thing is clingy.
   • Open File Explorer.
   • Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files. Look for a "BattlEye" folder. Delete it if found.
   • Go to C:\Program Files\. Look for a "BattlEye" folder. Delete it if found.
   • Sometimes it hides in the game's *old* install folder too. Check wherever you had Tarkov installed for a "BattlEye" folder.

   BattlEye might leave a service running. If you're comfortable with Task Manager or Services (msconfig), you can stop/disable "BEService" or similar before deleting the folders. But usually, deleting the folders is enough.

5. Scavenge for Leftovers: Do a final sweep.
   • Check your main drive (usually C:\) for any obvious "Battlestate Games" or "EscapeFromTarkov" folders you missed.
   • Empty your Recycle Bin!

Yeah, it's a bit of work. But when you see those extra gigabytes freed up and know nothing's lurking, it feels good. I do this between major wipes sometimes just to reset everything.

What Happens After You Uninstall Tarkov?

Okay, it's gone. What now? Let's clear up some common worries.

Your Account & Profile: Safe (Mostly)

This is a big one. Uninstalling the game from your PC does NOT delete your actual Escape from Tarkov account or your online profile progress. All that stuff – your PMC level, your stash, your roubles, your trader reps – lives on Battlestate's servers. Phew.

The BUT: Your *local* profile folder we talked about? That held things like:

• Your game settings (graphics, controls, audio preferences).
• Local cache files.
• Screenshots you took.
• Maybe some logs.

If you deleted that folder manually (or sometimes even if you didn't), those specific settings will be reset to default when you reinstall. So if you had the perfect sensitivity setup or custom keybinds, and you didn't back up that folder... yeah, you'll need to set it up again. Annoying, but not the end of the world. Your levels and loot are safe online.

Space Freed Up? Let's Talk Numbers

Tarkov is a space hog. Uninstalling it should reclaim a significant chunk. Here's a rough breakdown:

See that difference? The deep clean really gets you those extra gigabytes back. Worth it if you're tight on space.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting After Uninstalling Tarkov

Sometimes things don't go perfectly smooth. Here's how to handle common snags.

"I Uninstalled But Still See BattlEye / The Folder is Still There!"

Classic. BattlEye loves to overstay its welcome. This is why the manual removal steps above specifically target it.

• Check the Folders: Go back to C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files and C:\Program Files\. If "BattlEye" folders exist, delete them. You might need admin permissions (right-click folder > Properties > Security tab to adjust, or try running File Explorer as Admin).
• Task Manager: Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc. Look on the Processes tab for anything named "BattlEye" or "BEService". If running, select it and hit "End task". Then try deleting the folders.
• Reboot: Sometimes Windows locks files until a restart. Reboot and try deleting again.

Persistent? A dedicated uninstaller tool like Revo Uninstaller (Free version works) can sometimes find and remove these stubborn leftovers by scanning for traces after the main uninstall.

Reinstall Fails or Acts Weird

If you try to reinstall later and get errors, leftover junk is often the culprit, especially registry entries (advanced).

• Double-Check Manual Cleanup: Go through the deep clean steps again meticulously. Did you miss the AppData folder? Miss a BattlEye location?
• Registry Warning (Advanced Users Only!):

  HUGE CAUTION: Messing with the Windows Registry can seriously break your PC if you delete the wrong thing. Only do this if you are comfortable and know what you're doing. Export/backup the registry before making ANY changes (File > Export in regedit).

  1. Press Win+R, type regedit, hit Enter.
  2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software. Look for keys/folders named "Battlestate Games" or "BSG". Right-click > Delete if found.
  3. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE. Look again for "Battlestate Games" or "BSG" keys. Right-click > Delete if found. Also check under WOW6432Node inside here.
  4. Search the registry (Ctrl+F) for "EscapeFromTarkov" or "BsgLauncher". Be VERY selective. Only delete keys clearly related to the game/launcher if you are absolutely sure. If in doubt, skip it!
• Third-Party Uninstaller: Tools like Revo Uninstaller or Geek Uninstaller have "Forced Uninstall" or deep scan features that hunt down these leftover registry entries and files automatically after you point them to the dead install folder. Safer than manual registry editing.

Space Not Freed Up as Expected

You ran the uninstaller, but your drive space didn't jump much?

• Check Your Recycle Bin: Seriously, it sounds dumb, but uninstalling often sends files to the bin. Empty it!
• Verify Manual Locations: Did the standard uninstall leave the AppData profile folder (1-5GB)? The BSG Launcher folder (300MB-1GB)? BattlEye folders (100-300MB)? That's potentially 1.5-6.5GB+ you're missing. Use the deep clean steps.
• Disk Cleanup: Run Windows Disk Cleanup. Select your drive, click "Clean up system files". Check "Temporary files". Might scrape up a bit more.
• TreeSize / WinDirStat: Use a free tool like TreeSize Free or WinDirStat. Scan your drive. It visually shows which folders are taking up space. Look for large "Battlestate Games", "BsgLauncher", "EscapeFromTarkov", or "BattlEye" folders you might have missed.

Your Uninstall Questions Answered (FAQ)

Let's tackle those specific questions folks have when figuring out how to uninstall tarkov.

Will uninstalling Tarkov delete my character and progress?

No. Your account progression (levels, stash, skills, quests, trader standings) is stored on Battlestate Game's servers, not solely on your PC. Uninstalling the game client doesn't wipe your online profile. Your progress is tied to your account login.

Where does Tarkov store my settings and screenshots?

Primarily in your hidden AppData folder: C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\LocalLow\Battlestate Games\EscapeFromTarkov. Screenshots might also be in Documents\EscapeFromTarkov\Screenshots. Backing up the AppData folder saves your keybinds, graphics, and audio settings.

Do I need to uninstall BattlEye separately?

Technically, no single "uninstall BattlEye" app exists easily. The standard Tarkov uninstall *should* trigger its removal, but it frequently fails. You almost always need to manually delete the BattlEye folders (C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\BattlEye and C:\Program Files\BattlEye) as part of a deep clean.

How much space will I actually get back by uninstalling?

Using just the standard uninstall (launcher or Windows), expect about 35-45GB back from the core game files. To get the full 36-51GB+ potential, you MUST perform the manual deep clean steps to remove the profile cache, launcher, and BattlEye leftovers. Check the space table above for details.

Can I just delete the EscapeFromTarkov folder?

Not recommended. While deleting the main game install folder might remove many files, it leaves behind:

• Registry entries (can cause reinstall problems).
• Launcher entries.
• BattlEye remnants.
• Your profile/settings in AppData.

It's messy and incomplete. Always use the uninstaller first, *then* manually clean leftovers.

Why does BattlEye stay after uninstalling?

It's frustratingly common. BattlEye installs system-level components that sometimes aren't cleanly removed by the standard game uninstaller routines. Its design prioritizes security over clean removal. Manual deletion of its folders is the most reliable solution.

I want to reinstall later. Do I need to do anything special?

If you did a standard uninstall (and kept your AppData profile), reinstalling should be smooth. Just install via the BSG launcher again. If you did a deep clean (deleted AppData), reinstalling will create a fresh local profile – meaning you'll need to reconfigure all your in-game settings and keybinds from scratch. Your online progress will still be there.

Will uninstalling fix game crashes or errors?

Possibly, but not guaranteed. It depends on the error. A clean uninstall followed by a fresh reinstall (a "reinstall tarkov" process) can resolve issues caused by corrupted game files, problematic cache data, or conflicting settings. However, issues stemming from hardware limitations, drivers, network problems, or Battlestate server-side bugs won't be fixed by reinstalling alone. A deep clean gives you the best chance if file corruption was the root cause.

What's the best way to completely uninstall Tarkov and BattlEye?

For a truly complete removal, follow this sequence:

1. Uninstall Escape from Tarkov via the BSG Launcher or Windows Settings.
2. Uninstall the BSG Launcher via Windows Settings.
3. Manually delete the BattlEye folders (C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\BattlEye, C:\Program Files\BattlEye).
4. Manually delete your profile folder (AppData\LocalLow\Battlestate Games\EscapeFromTarkov).
5. Manually delete the BSG Launcher folder if it remains (C:\Battlestate Games\BsgLauncher or your install path).
6. (Optional/Advanced) Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller Free in "Hunter Mode" or scan for leftovers after step 1 to catch potential registry traces.
7. Reboot your PC.

This sequence covers the core uninstall tarkov actions plus the crucial manual steps to remove BattlEye and associated data.

Wrapping It Up: Getting That Clean Break

Look, figuring out how to uninstall tarkov isn't rocket science, but it's definitely more involved than most games. The standard uninstall leaves too much junk lying around, especially that BattlEye folder – drives me nuts. If you just need quick space, the launcher uninstall works. But if you want it *gone* gone, or you're troubleshooting, biting the bullet and doing the manual deep clean is worth the extra few minutes.

Remember that profile backup! Losing your perfect sensitivity settings because you forgot to back up AppData is a special kind of pain. And hey, if you run into stubborn leftovers, those third-party uninstaller tools can be lifesavers. Now go reclaim that SSD space... until the next wipe pulls you back in.