Hey there! So, you're curious about how to run Valorant without Vanguard? Let's dive in and explore this topic in detail. It's a common question, especially for those who are concerned about kernel-level anti-cheat software. Before we proceed, it's extremely important to understand that Valorant is designed to not run without Riot Vanguard. Riot Games has made it very clear that their anti-cheat is a core component of the game's integrity. Any attempt to bypass it is against their terms of service and can lead to a permanent ban. This guide will focus on how to manage or remove Vanguard, but it will also explain why playing Valorant without it is not possible in an official capacity.
Step 1: Understanding Why Vanguard is a Big Deal
Before you even think about disabling or uninstalling anything, let's talk about why Vanguard exists. Riot Vanguard is not just a simple anti-cheat; it's a kernel-level anti-cheat. What does that mean?
-
Kernel-level access: It means Vanguard operates at the deepest level of your operating system, where it can monitor everything running on your computer. This allows it to detect cheats that operate at the same level, making it incredibly difficult for cheaters to bypass.
-
Always on: Vanguard starts with your computer and runs in the background even when you're not playing Valorant. This is a key part of its design, as it prevents cheats from being loaded before the anti-cheat itself is active.
-
Game integrity: The main goal is to create a fair and competitive environment for all players. By having such a robust anti-cheat, Riot aims to drastically reduce cheating in the game.
Now that you understand the purpose of Vanguard, you can see why running the game without it is a non-starter. It's like trying to get into a secure building without a keycard—the system simply won't allow it.
 |
| How To Run Valorant Without Vanguard |
Step 2: Managing Vanguard without Uninstalling
If your goal is to simply turn Vanguard off when you're not playing Valorant, there are official and safe ways to do it without completely uninstalling the program.
Sub-heading: Using the System Tray Icon
This is the easiest and most direct method.
-
Look for the Vanguard icon: In your system tray (the area on your taskbar near the clock), you'll see a small red shield icon. This is the Riot Vanguard icon. If you don't see it, click the small arrow to show hidden icons.
-
Right-click and exit: Right-click the Vanguard icon and a small menu will pop up. Select "Exit Vanguard".
-
Confirm: A prompt will appear asking if you're sure you want to exit. Click "Yes".
-
Restart to play: When you want to play Valorant again, you'll need to restart your computer. This is a requirement for Vanguard to load properly and allow you to launch the game. You'll get an error if you try to open Valorant without Vanguard running.
This method is perfect for those who are concerned about Vanguard running 24/7 but still want to play the game.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Step 3: Completely Uninstalling Vanguard and Valorant
If you've decided you no longer want to play Valorant and wish to completely remove Vanguard from your system, here are the proper steps.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling via Windows Settings
This is the standard and recommended way to uninstall software.
-
Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
-
Go to Apps: Click on "Apps" or "Apps & features".
-
Find Riot Vanguard: Scroll down the list of installed applications and find "Riot Vanguard".
-
Uninstall: Click on Riot Vanguard and then click the "Uninstall" button. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
-
Find Valorant: In the same list, find "VALORANT" and uninstall it as well.
-
Restart your computer: After uninstalling both, it is crucial to restart your computer to ensure all files and services related to Vanguard are properly removed.
Sub-heading: Uninstalling via Command Prompt (CMD)
This is a more technical approach but can be effective if the standard uninstall fails.
-
Open CMD as an administrator: In the Start menu, search for "CMD" or "Command Prompt". Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator".
-
Enter commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
-
sc delete vgc -
sc delete vgk
-
-
Restart: Restart your computer to apply the changes.
-
Delete the folder: After the restart, navigate to
C:\Program Files\in your File Explorer. Right-click on the "Riot Vanguard" folder and select "Delete".
Step 4: The Inevitable Truth - You Can't Play Valorant Without Vanguard
QuickTip: Keep going — the next point may connect.
Let's be absolutely clear. The topic of this post is "how to run valorant without vanguard," but the reality is that you cannot. Riot Games has implemented a system where the game client will not launch unless Vanguard is active and running. If you try to launch Valorant after disabling or uninstalling Vanguard, you will receive an error message (like VAN 68 or VAN 57) and be prompted to restart your computer to re-enable it.
There have been and may be in the future some exploits or workarounds, but these are quickly patched by Riot and using them will almost certainly lead to a permanent hardware ban. The consequences are severe, so it's not worth the risk.
In short, Valorant and Vanguard are inextricably linked. The game's competitive integrity relies on this relationship.
Related FAQ
How to properly uninstall Riot Vanguard?
You can properly uninstall Riot Vanguard from the Windows Settings "Apps & features" menu, or by using the Command Prompt with administrator privileges to run the sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk commands.
How to temporarily disable Vanguard without uninstalling it?
Right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard". This will close the application until you restart your computer.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
How to fix Vanguard not starting with my computer?
You can check the "Services" application in Windows (services.msc) and ensure that the "vgc" service is set to "Automatic" and is running.
How to deal with Vanguard causing issues with other programs?
If Vanguard is causing conflicts, the best course of action is to temporarily exit Vanguard from the system tray when you are not playing Valorant. If the issue persists, you may need to uninstall it completely and reinstall it when you want to play again.
How to know if Vanguard is running?
You can check for the red shield icon in your system tray on the taskbar. You can also check the Task Manager's "Services" tab for "vgc" and "vgk".
How to fix a "Vanguard not initialized" error?
QuickTip: Scan for summary-style sentences.
This error usually means Vanguard is not running. The most common fix is to restart your computer, which forces Vanguard to load at startup.
How to reinstall Vanguard if it's corrupted?
The easiest way is to try launching the Valorant client. If Vanguard is not detected or is corrupted, the client will prompt you to reinstall it. If not, you can uninstall both Valorant and Vanguard completely and then do a fresh reinstallation.
How to check if my account is banned for bypassing Vanguard?
If you have been banned, you will receive a specific error code (like VAN 152) when you try to log into the game. You can check Riot Games' support website for a list of error codes and their meanings.
How to check if I have a hardware ban?
A hardware ban means that even with a new account, you will be unable to play Valorant on your computer. You will receive an immediate error when you try to launch the game. You would need to contact Riot Games support to confirm if you have received one.
How to report a cheater in Valorant?
You can report a cheater in-game using the report feature or through the Riot Games support website. Providing as much detail as possible, such as the cheater's username and the time of the match, will help the process.
 |
