Uninstall Renpy !exclusive!

To uninstall Ren'Py, you do not use a traditional uninstaller because the software is "portable" and does not typically install itself into system-level directories. Instead, you must manually delete its primary folder and, if necessary, its hidden configuration files. 1. Delete the Main Ren'Py Folder

Since Ren'Py is distributed as a ZIP, DMG, or tarball, it runs from whichever folder you extracted it into.

Windows/Linux: Locate the folder where you unzipped Ren'Py (e.g., renpy-8.1.1-sdk). Right-click it and select Delete.

macOS: Open your Applications folder (or wherever you moved the Ren'Py app), right-click the Ren'Py icon, and select Move to Trash. 2. Remove Persistent Data and Game Saves

Even after deleting the main folder, Ren'Py often leaves behind "persistent data" (like your launcher preferences and game save files) in a hidden system directory. Windows: Press Win + R, type %appdata%, and press Enter. Locate the folder named RenPy. uninstall renpy

Open it and delete the specific folder for your project, or delete the entire RenPy folder to wipe all local data. macOS: Open Finder and press Cmd + Shift + G. Type ~/Library/RenPy/ and press Enter. Delete the folders inside to remove save data and settings. Linux: Navigate to your home directory (~). Look for a hidden directory named .renpy. Delete this directory to clear all persistent settings. 3. Cleanup for Projects

If you created games using Ren'Py, your project files are stored in a "Projects Directory". Quickstart — Ren'Py Documentation

Here’s a concise, useful write-up for uninstalling Ren’Py on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Q1: Does uninstalling Ren’Py delete my visual novel games?

Only if your games (projects) were saved inside the Ren’Py installation folder. If you built distributions (PC/Mac/Linux builds of your game), those are standalone and unaffected. To uninstall Ren'Py , you do not use

For Linux Users:

The process varies slightly depending on how you installed Ren'Py:

1. If installed via a package manager: Use your package manager to uninstall Ren'Py. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, you can use:

   sudo apt-get remove renpy
   

2. If downloaded directly from the Ren'Py site: Navigate to the directory where Ren'Py is installed and look for an uninstall.sh script or manually remove the directory.

8. Reinstalling Ren’Py After Uninstall

Once you have completely uninstalled RenPy, you can perform a clean reinstall:

1. Visit the official Ren’Py download page.
2. Download the latest SDK for your OS.
3. Extract the archive to a simple path (e.g., C:\RenPy or ~/RenPy).
4. Run the launcher (renpy.exe on Windows, renpy.sh on Mac/Linux).
5. Re-import your backed-up projects by copying them into the new projects folder.

A clean reinstall often fixes:

• Launcher failing to start (black screen).
• Missing modules (e.g., pygame errors).
• Rendering glitches on newer GPUs.

Q3: Why can’t I uninstall RenPy using “Add or Remove Programs”?

Because you downloaded the portable ZIP version, which does not register itself with Windows. Just delete the folder. Q1: Does uninstalling Ren’Py delete my visual novel games

6. Removing Leftover Projects and Settings

Uninstalling the Ren’Py engine does not automatically delete the visual novels you created. Your projects are sacred and stored separately – by design.

Step 1: Locate Your Ren’Py Folder

Where did you extract the .zip file? Common locations:

• Desktop (folder named renpy-8.0.3-sdk)
• Downloads folder
• C:\RenPy or D:\Games\RenPy

Step 0: Back up your projects (important!)

Before deleting anything, copy your Ren’Py projects folder (renpy-<version>/projects or wherever you saved games). Otherwise, your visual novel work will be gone.