Uninstalling Faceit: A Comprehensive Guide to Removing the Platform from Your Computer

Faceit is a popular third-party matchmaking platform for competitive gaming, particularly for titles like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) and Valorant. While it offers a robust system for skilled players to hone their abilities and compete at higher levels, there might come a time when you need to uninstall it from your computer. This could be due to various reasons, such as no longer playing the games it supports, facing performance issues, needing to troubleshoot a conflict with other software, or simply wanting to declutter your system. Regardless of your motivation, removing Faceit completely requires a specific approach to ensure all its components are eradicated. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of uninstalling Faceit, covering all the necessary actions to leave your system clean and free from any residual files.

Why Uninstall Faceit?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s briefly discuss some of the common reasons why you might choose to uninstall Faceit:

• No Longer Playing Supported Games: If you’ve moved on from the games Faceit supports or are no longer interested in competitive matchmaking on its platform, there’s little reason to keep it installed.
• Performance Issues: Although Faceit is generally well-optimized, in some instances, it may conflict with other software or drivers, leading to performance problems or lag in-game. Uninstalling it can be a potential solution to troubleshoot such issues.
• Troubleshooting Conflicts: If you’re experiencing conflicts or compatibility problems with other applications or games on your computer, removing Faceit might be necessary to identify the source of the issue.
• Desire for System Cleanliness: Over time, unused programs can clutter your system and potentially slow it down. Uninstalling Faceit helps maintain a cleaner and more efficient computing experience.
• Switching Platforms: If you are transitioning to another competitive gaming platform, keeping Faceit installed would be redundant.

Step-by-Step Guide to Uninstalling Faceit

The uninstallation process involves several key steps. We’ll cover them methodically to ensure you don’t miss anything, leaving no trace of Faceit on your system.

Phase 1: Terminating Faceit Processes

Before proceeding with the uninstallation, it’s crucial to ensure that all Faceit-related processes are completely terminated. This prevents conflicts during the removal process and ensures that all components can be properly removed.

1. Access Task Manager: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager. You can also right-click on the taskbar and select “Task Manager” from the context menu.
2. Locate Faceit Processes: In the “Processes” tab, look for any processes with names like “Faceit”, “Faceit Client”, or related entries. These may vary depending on your specific version of Faceit.
3. End Faceit Processes: Right-click on each Faceit process and select “End Task”. If you encounter any resistance, choose “End Process” or “Force quit” if necessary. Ensure all associated processes are terminated. This is an important step for a clean uninstall.
4. Verify Termination: Once you’ve ended all processes, double-check to make sure none of them are still running. You may need to scroll through the list to ensure nothing is left.

Phase 2: Uninstalling via Windows Settings/Control Panel

With all Faceit processes terminated, you can proceed with uninstalling the application through the standard Windows uninstallation method.

1. Open Settings (Windows 10/11): Press the Windows key and click on the settings gear icon.
2. Navigate to Apps: In the Settings window, click on “Apps” (or “Apps & features”).
3. Search for Faceit: In the list of installed apps, type “Faceit” in the search bar to quickly locate the program.
4. Select Faceit and Uninstall: Click on the “Faceit” entry in the list. You will see an “Uninstall” button. Click this button to start the uninstall process.
5. Confirm Uninstall: Follow the on-screen prompts and confirm that you want to uninstall Faceit. The uninstall wizard may take a few moments to complete the removal.
6. Restart your Computer: While not always strictly necessary, restarting your computer after an uninstall can help ensure no residual files remain in use by the system. This is a good practice to adopt for all software removal.

Alternative Method: Using the Control Panel (Older Windows Versions)

If you are using an older version of Windows, you can uninstall Faceit through the Control Panel:

1. Open Control Panel: Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and click on the result.
2. Navigate to Programs: Under “Programs”, click on “Uninstall a program”.
3. Locate Faceit: Look for “Faceit” in the list of installed programs.
4. Select Faceit and Uninstall: Select the Faceit entry and click the “Uninstall” button at the top of the program list.
5. Confirm Uninstall: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation.
6. Restart your computer: As before, restarting is a good practice.

Phase 3: Removing Residual Files and Folders

Sometimes, even after a standard uninstall, some files and folders related to Faceit might remain on your system. Removing these remnants helps to prevent potential conflicts and ensures a thorough cleanup.

1. Open File Explorer: Press Windows Key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Enable Viewing Hidden Files: To see all files and folders, including hidden ones, click on the “View” tab in File Explorer. In the “Show/hide” section, check the box next to “Hidden items.”
3. Navigate to the Faceit Installation Directory: The default installation directory for Faceit is usually located in C:\Program Files\FACEIT or C:\Program Files (x86)\FACEIT. Check both directories. If you used a custom install location, navigate to that specific location.
4. Delete the Faceit Folder: If the folder still exists, delete the entire “FACEIT” folder.
5. Check AppData Folders: Some Faceit configuration files may be saved in your AppData folders. Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type %appdata% and press Enter. In this folder, look for a folder called “Faceit” and delete it.
6. Check LocalAppData Folders: Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type %localappdata% and press Enter. Check for a “Faceit” folder and delete it.
7. Check Roaming AppData Folder: Open the Run dialog (Windows key + R), type %appdata% and press Enter, locate a folder named “Faceit” and delete it.
8. Recycle Bin: Empty your recycle bin after deleting the folders.
9. Restart: It’s always recommended to restart your computer to finalize the file system changes.

Phase 4: Removing Faceit Registry Entries (Optional but Recommended for Complete Removal)

Registry entries store configuration information for software installed on your computer. While not always necessary, removing residual Faceit registry entries can be a good step for a thorough cleanup, especially if you had issues with it. Be cautious when editing the registry as mistakes can cause system instability.

Important Disclaimer: Modifying the Windows Registry can be risky if not done correctly. It’s always a good practice to back up your registry before making any changes. If you’re uncomfortable with this process, you can skip this step.

1. Open the Registry Editor: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type regedit and press Enter. Click yes on the UAC pop up.
2. Backup the Registry (Optional but Recommended): Go to “File”, then “Export.” Choose a file location to save a copy of your registry, in case something goes wrong.
3. Navigate to the Faceit Registry Keys: In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following locations by expanding the folders on the left side. Be careful to ensure you navigate to the correct keys to avoid unintentional edits:
   • HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FACEIT
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FACEIT
   • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\FACEIT (for 64-bit systems)
4. Delete Faceit Keys: If the ‘Faceit’ folder exists in these locations, right-click on the ‘Faceit’ folder and click “Delete”. Confirm the deletion.
5. Close the Registry Editor: After deleting all the identified Faceit keys, close the Registry Editor.
6. Restart Your Computer: Restart your computer to ensure the changes take effect.

After Uninstalling Faceit

After completing all the steps, Faceit should be completely removed from your computer. You should not see any remaining files or running processes associated with the platform. If you encountered any issues or errors during the uninstallation process, double-check each step carefully or seek assistance from a more experienced user.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

While the above steps generally cover the process thoroughly, there are some common issues that users may encounter:

• Cannot Delete Certain Files: If you cannot delete certain files, ensure that all Faceit processes are terminated via the Task Manager, and then try again. If the issue persists, try booting into safe mode, as that may bypass any programs preventing deletion.
• Registry Entries Persist: Double-check that you are editing the correct registry keys and have the proper admin rights.
• Program Still Runs: If Faceit is still running after following these steps, ensure that you have restarted your computer.

Conclusion

Uninstalling Faceit from your computer might seem complicated at first, but by following these detailed instructions, you can remove the platform completely and effectively. Remember to terminate all running processes, use the standard uninstall method, remove residual files and folders, and optionally, clean up registry entries for a thorough removal. By doing so, you’ll maintain a cleaner and more efficient system and prevent potential future conflicts. Following these procedures guarantees a clean and complete uninstall of Faceit, freeing up your system resources. If you decide to return to Faceit in the future, a clean install will also help ensure a trouble-free experience.