How to Uninstall ReShade Completely

Published On - December 28, 2025

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ReShade is a powerful post-processing injector that enhances the visuals of video games by adding advanced effects such as ambient occlusion, color correction, and depth-of-field. While it can significantly boost graphical fidelity, some users may later choose to uninstall ReShade—whether due to performance concerns, compatibility issues, or simply a preference for the original graphics. Unfortunately, completely removing ReShade isn’t always as intuitive as installing it. In this guide, we walk you through every step to ensure ReShade is cleanly and effectively removed from your system.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

Removing ReShade from a game involves more than just deleting a single file. You’ll need to identify and remove all ReShade-related files and potentially modify configuration files the injector used. Sometimes, even third-party launchers or anti-cheat systems may continue to detect its presence. Follow the detailed steps below to ensure a clean and complete uninstall of ReShade from your system.

Why You Might Want to Uninstall ReShade

While ReShade can offer stunning improvements in graphics, there are numerous reasons a user might decide to remove it:

  • Performance Drops: High-end effects can lead to significant frame rate reductions.
  • Compatibility Issues: Some games or mods may not play well with post-processing injectors.
  • Anti-Cheat Systems: Many multiplayer games may flag ReShade as a potential threat, which can result in bans.
  • Visual Preferences: Users may simply prefer the game’s original look or effects.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Uninstall ReShade

Step 1: Locate the Game Folder

First, you need to find where the game executable is installed on your system. On most systems, this can be done by following these general steps:

  1. Right-click the game in your launcher (Steam, Epic Games, etc.).
  2. Select “Manage” > “Browse Local Files”.
  3. This will open the directory where the game is installed and where ReShade files reside.


Step 2: Identify ReShade Files

The files associated with ReShade will typically use one of these naming conventions:

  • d3d9.dll, dxgi.dll, or opengl32.dll – These are the core injector files.
  • ReShade.ini – The settings file for your ReShade configuration.
  • reshade-shaders folder – Contains shaders and texture files used by ReShade.
  • Any other file with “ReShade” in its name.

Be careful not to delete game files that are not part of the ReShade installation. Confirm that any files you plan to delete are ReShade specific.

Step 3: Delete the ReShade Files

Once you have clearly identified all the ReShade-related files, follow these steps:

  1. Close the game (if it’s running).
  2. Select all associated ReShade files.
  3. Right-click and choose “Delete” or drag them to your Recycle Bin.

It’s also a good idea to empty your Recycle Bin afterward to fully remove the files from your system.

Step 4: Check for Residual Configuration Files

Some configurations or advanced setups may also store ReShade presets outside of the game directory, particularly in:

  • Documents\ReShadePreset
  • AppData\Roaming or AppData\Local (search for “reshade”)

Navigate to these folders and manually check for any remaining configuration presets. Delete them if they are clearly associated with ReShade and no longer needed.

Step 5: Reboot Your System

Although not always required, rebooting your system can help clear cached configurations that referenced ReShade, especially if you were using a persistent overlay or injection method that loads on startup.

Troubleshooting: ReShade Still Appears After Deletion?

If you’ve followed all the above steps and ReShade still appears in your game (overlay shows on launch), you may be facing one of the following issues:

  • Wrong folder: Double-check that you deleted files from the correct path—games often have multiple directories.
  • Multiple installations: You might have installed ReShade more than once for the same game, or in a compatibility layer.
  • Third-party mods: Some mod managers may re-inject ReShade during startup. Verify you haven’t missed any interaction via those platforms.

To verify whether ReShade is completely gone, try launching the game again. A successful removal should mean:

  1. No overlay appears.
  2. FPS counter and shader toggle keys no longer work.
  3. Graphics return to the default visuals.


Optional: Using the Original Installer to Uninstall

If ReShade was installed using its official installer, you can use that same executable to remove it:

  1. Launch the ReShade installer again.
  2. Select the game from the list or manually browse to the executable file.
  3. Click “Uninstall” if the option appears.

This is a cleaner method as it ensures all components are accurately removed. However, not all ReShade installs include this option, especially if manually injected.

Dealing With Anti-Cheat and System Interactions

Some anti-cheat systems like Easy Anti-Cheat or BattleEye may still detect previous traces of ReShade. If you are getting errors or being blocked even after removal, try the following:

  • Restart your PC after removal to clear any memory-resident DLLs.
  • Use system tools like msconfig to verify nothing is launching ReShade-related processes at startup.
  • Scan your game’s integrity using the game launcher (e.g., Steam’s “Verify Integrity of Game Files”).

Be patient—some anti-cheat mechanisms are overcautious and may take a few system reboots to clear their flags.

Preventing Future Issues

If you plan to try ReShade again in the future, consider installing it in a sandbox environment or using portable utilities that do not make permanent system or game file changes. This will make future uninstallations significantly easier. Also, always read the Terms of Service and Anti-Cheat Policies for games before installing any third-party tool.


Conclusion

ReShade can be a fantastic tool for enhancing your gaming visuals, but when it becomes an obstacle—whether for performance, technical, or compatibility reasons—it’s crucial to know how to completely remove it. By methodically following the steps outlined in this guide, you can be confident that ReShade has been thoroughly and safely uninstalled. Careful file identification, manual deletion, optional use of the ReShade installer, and awareness of system integrations will all help you reclaim game stability and performance.

As always, when modifying game files or installing third-party software, proceed with caution and always create backups if possible. A clean gaming environment not only ensures better performance but can also protect your account and system from unnecessary risk.