How to Uninstall ReShade?

ReShade is an open-source generic shader injector, often utilized by gamers to enhance or modify the graphic appearance of games. However, you may find yourself wanting to uninstall ReShade for performance reasons, compatibility issues, or simply because you no longer need it. This guide will walk you through the steps to properly uninstall ReShade from your system.

Identifying the Game’s Installation Folder

The first step in uninstalling ReShade involves identifying the game’s installation folder. This is typically where ReShade was installed. If you are using a platform like Steam, you can usually locate the game’s folder by right-clicking the game in your library, selecting “Properties,” and then navigating to the “Local Files” tab.

Deleting ReShade Files

Within the game’s installation folder, you should see several files added by ReShade. These may include:

All .dll files starting with “ReShade” (for instance, “ReShade64.dll”).
The “ReShade.ini” file.
The “reshade-shaders” folder containing all downloaded shaders.

You simply need to select these files and folders and then delete or move them to the recycle bin.

Checking Game Files

If you installed ReShade on a game via Steam, you can also use the “Verify Integrity of Game Files” option after deleting the ReShade files. This will allow Steam to check if all necessary files are present and download any missing ones.

Reinstalling the Game (Optional)

In some cases, you may not be certain of all the files that ReShade has added or altered. If you cannot get the game to work properly after trying to remove ReShade, one solution could be to uninstall and then reinstall the game. This should ensure that all the game’s files are in their original state.

Removing ReShade from Other Games (Optional)

If you installed ReShade on multiple games and wish to remove it from all, you will need to repeat the process for each game. Bear in mind that the installation folder and specific files may vary from one game to another.

How to Remove Your ReShade?

To uninstall ReShade, you can follow the subsequent steps:

Open the file explorer: Press the Windows + E keys to open the file explorer on your computer.

Access the location of the game or application: Navigate to the directory where the game or application you installed ReShade for is located. This is usually the game’s installation folder in the “Program Files” or “Program Files (x86)” directory.
Look for ReShade files: In the game directory, look for files associated with ReShade. Typical files include “dxgi.dll”, “ReShade.fx”, “ReShade.ini”, or any other file bearing the name of ReShade.
Delete the ReShade files: Select all the ReShade files you found in the game directory and then hit the Delete key (or right-click and select Delete). Confirm the deletion of the files when prompted.

Restart the game or application: Once you have deleted the ReShade files, restart the game or application to check if ReShade has been completely uninstalled.

Some games or applications might require a more specific uninstallation of ReShade. In this case, you can refer to the game’s documentation or look for game-specific guides on uninstalling ReShade.