Hey there, future gaming champion! Have you ever wondered about the mysterious force that keeps games like Valorant and League of Legends free from pesky cheaters? That, my friend, is Riot Vanguard. But what exactly is it, and how many GB is Riot Vanguard going to take up on your precious hard drive? Let's dive in and demystify this essential anti-cheat system!
The Unseen Guardian: Understanding Riot Vanguard's Footprint
Riot Vanguard is much more than just a simple program; it's a kernel-level anti-cheat system developed by Riot Games. This means it operates at a very deep level of your computer's operating system, allowing it to detect and prevent a wide range of cheating methods. While its primary goal is to ensure fair play, it's natural to be curious about its size and impact on your system.
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| How Many Gb Is Riot Vanguard |
Step 1: Let's Talk About the Numbers – The "How Many GB" Question
So, you're itching to know the exact size, right? It's a common question, especially when storage space is a concern. Here's the deal:
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Riot Vanguard itself is surprisingly small. On its own, the Vanguard anti-cheat system typically takes up around 200 MB of disk space. That's right, megabytes, not gigabytes, for the core anti-cheat component.
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However, here's the crucial part: Riot Vanguard is inextricably linked to the games it protects, primarily Valorant and now League of Legends. Therefore, when you ask "how many GB is Riot Vanguard," you're often implicitly asking about the total installation size of the game plus Vanguard.
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For Valorant, the full installation (including Vanguard) is approximately 31 GB, though it can grow to about 57 GB with updates and content. This is where the confusion often arises. You download the Valorant installer, which is small (around 70 MB), but once unpacked and updated, the game itself expands significantly. Vanguard is a part of that larger ecosystem.
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For League of Legends, while exact current numbers for Vanguard's addition are less explicitly stated for its individual size, League of Legends itself requires around 16GB of free storage space. With Vanguard integrated, expect a slight increase, but it's still primarily the game content that dictates the overall footprint.
In essence, while Vanguard is a relatively small program on its own, it's always part of a larger game installation, so you need to consider the game's total size.
Step 2: Getting Ready for Installation – What You Need to Know
Before you jump into installing any Riot game with Vanguard, a little preparation goes a long way.
QuickTip: Read section by section for better flow.
Sub-heading: Checking Your System Requirements
- Operating System: Vanguard works with Windows 10 (Version 2004 / Build 19041 or higher) and Windows 11 (64-bit). Older versions of Windows may not be supported.
- Processor (CPU): While Vanguard itself is lightweight, the games it protects have their own CPU requirements. Ensure your processor meets the minimum specs for the game you intend to play.
- RAM: Again, this is more about the game than Vanguard, but typically 4GB of RAM is a minimum for Riot's major titles.
- Storage Space: As mentioned, be prepared for the game's size. It's recommended to have at least 40-60 GB of free disk space to accommodate the game, Vanguard, and future updates. Don't fill your entire disk, as this can negatively impact game performance.
Sub-heading: Ensuring Compatibility – TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot
Riot Vanguard, especially for Windows 11 users, has stricter security requirements.
- TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module): Many modern PCs have this chip, which provides hardware-level security. Vanguard often requires TPM 2.0 to be enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings.
- Secure Boot: This is another security feature in your BIOS/UEFI that helps prevent malicious software from loading during startup. Vanguard may also require this to be enabled.
If you encounter errors like VAN9001 or VAN9003, it's likely related to these settings. Don't worry, we'll touch on troubleshooting later.
Step 3: The Installation Journey – A Step-by-Step Guide
Installing Riot Vanguard isn't a separate, standalone process. It's integrated with the installation of Riot Games titles like Valorant and League of Legends.
Sub-heading: Downloading the Game Client
- Visit the Official Website: Head to the official website for the Riot game you want to play (e.g., playvalorant.com or leagueoflegends.com).
- Create/Log In to Your Riot Account: You'll need a Riot Games account to download and play. If you don't have one, it's quick and free to create.
- Initiate Download: Look for the "Play Free" or "Download" button. This will usually download the Riot Client installer.
Sub-heading: Installing the Riot Client and Game
- Run the Installer: Once the Riot Client installer is downloaded (it's usually a small file, under 100 MB), run it.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: The Riot Client will guide you through the installation process. You'll likely choose an installation location.
- Game Download Begins: After the Riot Client is installed, it will then begin downloading the actual game files. This is where the bulk of the GBs come into play. This can take a while depending on your internet speed.
- Vanguard's Automatic Installation: Here's the key: Riot Vanguard will automatically install alongside the game. You won't see a separate download prompt for Vanguard itself. It's integrated into the game's security infrastructure.
- Restart Your PC (Crucial Step!): After the game and Vanguard are installed, you will almost certainly be prompted to restart your computer. This is critical for Vanguard's kernel-level driver to properly initialize and function. Do not skip this step!
Sub-heading: Verifying Vanguard is Running
After restarting, you should see a small red "V" icon in your system tray (the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). This indicates that Riot Vanguard is running. If it's not there, or you get an error when launching the game, something might have gone wrong.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Vanguard Installation Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to tackle them:
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Sub-heading: Understanding Vanguard Error Codes (VAN-XXX)
Riot Vanguard often uses "VAN" error codes to indicate specific problems.
- VAN -1 (Uninstall Failure): This means Vanguard didn't uninstall correctly. You might need to manually uninstall it (see FAQ below) and then try reinstalling the game.
- VAN 0, 1, 6, 68, -81, -100, -101, -102, -104 (Connection Errors): These often indicate a problem with your internet connection, the Riot client, or Vanguard itself not communicating properly.
- Solution: Restart your Riot Client and your PC. Check your network connection. If persistent, a fresh reinstallation of both the game and Vanguard might be needed.
- VAN 57 (Vanguard Not Running): This is a straightforward error.
- Solution: Restart your PC and the Riot Client. Ensure Vanguard is allowed to run on startup.
- VAN 138 (Virtual Machine Detected): Vanguard does not support running on virtual machines.
- Solution: Install the game and Vanguard on a regular Windows instance.
- VAN9001, VAN9003, VAN9005 (TPM/UEFI/VBS Issues): These indicate that your system's security settings (TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, Virtualization-Based Security (VBS)) are not correctly configured.
- Solution: You'll need to enter your computer's BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, F10, or F12 during startup) and enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Disabling VBS might also be necessary in some cases, though Riot is researching ways to support it more robustly. Consult your motherboard's manual or manufacturer's website for specific instructions.
- VAN9006 (Unsupported Windows Version): Your Windows version is too old.
- Solution: Update your Windows operating system to a supported version (Windows 10 Version 2004 or higher, or Windows 11).
Sub-heading: General Troubleshooting Tips
- Restart Everything: The classic IT solution, but it often works. Restart your computer and the Riot Client.
- Run as Administrator: Right-click the game shortcut and choose "Run as administrator."
- Disable Conflicting Software: Temporarily disable any antivirus software, firewalls, or other programs that might interfere with Vanguard. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting.
- Update Drivers: Ensure your graphics drivers and other system drivers are up to date.
- Clean Reinstallation: If all else fails, a complete uninstallation of both the game and Riot Vanguard, followed by a fresh reinstallation, can resolve many stubborn issues. (See FAQ for detailed uninstallation steps).
- Check Riot Support: Riot Games has excellent support resources. If you're still stuck, head to their support website and search for your specific error code or issue.
Step 5: Living with Vanguard – Performance and Privacy Considerations
Riot Vanguard is a powerful anti-cheat, and it runs at a kernel level, which has led to some discussions among users.
Sub-heading: Performance Impact
- Minimal for Most: For most modern systems, the performance impact of Riot Vanguard is minimal. Riot Games strives to optimize it to run efficiently.
- Potential for Older Systems: On older or less powerful PCs, some users have reported slight increases in CPU usage. If you experience slowdowns, ensure your system meets the game's recommended specifications.
- Troubleshooting High CPU Usage: If Vanguard seems to be consuming excessive CPU, try:
- Closing unnecessary background programs.
- Updating your system and drivers.
- Adjusting Vanguard's process priority in Task Manager (set to "Below Normal" or "Low").
- Excluding Vanguard from antivirus scans (with caution).
Sub-heading: Privacy and "Always-On" Nature
- Kernel-Level Access: The fact that Vanguard runs at the kernel level means it has deep access to your system. This is necessary for effective anti-cheat but has raised privacy concerns for some. Riot Games maintains that Vanguard is designed only to detect cheating and does not monitor personal data unrelated to the game.
- Always Running: Vanguard typically starts with your PC and runs in the background. If you close it, you won't be able to play Riot games that require it. This "always-on" nature is a design choice to combat sophisticated cheats that could otherwise evade detection.
- Continuous Updates: Riot frequently updates Vanguard to counter new cheating methods and address any potential vulnerabilities or performance issues.
Riot Vanguard is a testament to Riot Games' commitment to fair play. While it might take up some space on your drive and require a few specific system configurations, it's a small price to pay for a more level playing field in your favorite Riot titles. Now that you're armed with this knowledge, go forth and game on, knowing your competitive experience is being guarded by the vigilant eye of Vanguard!
Tip: Make mental notes as you go.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Riot Vanguard is running?
You can usually see a small, red "V" shield icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock) if Riot Vanguard is running.
How to update Riot Vanguard?
Riot Vanguard updates automatically with game patches. You typically don't need to manually update it. Just ensure your game client is up to date.
How to close Riot Vanguard?
You can right-click the red "V" shield icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." However, note that you will not be able to play Riot games that require Vanguard until you restart your PC or the game client, which will relaunch Vanguard.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard?
- Close Vanguard: Right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select "Exit Vanguard."
- Uninstall from Windows Settings: Go to "Settings" > "Apps" > "Installed Apps" (or "Apps & Features"). Find "Riot Vanguard," click on it, and select "Uninstall."
- Restart PC: A restart is often required to complete the uninstallation. (For a full, manual removal, including leftover files, refer to comprehensive guides online, as it involves deleting specific folders and potentially command line commands.)
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard?
You cannot reinstall Riot Vanguard separately. To reinstall it, you need to launch a Riot game that requires it (like Valorant or League of Legends), and the game client will automatically detect the missing Vanguard and prompt you to install it, often requiring a PC restart afterward.
Tip: Break it down — section by section.
How to fix Riot Vanguard not launching?
Try restarting your PC and the Riot Client. Ensure TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled in your BIOS/UEFI settings if you're on Windows 11 or encountering specific VAN errors. Temporarily disable any conflicting software.
How to prevent Riot Vanguard from starting with Windows?
While you can disable Vanguard from starting with Windows, doing so will prevent you from playing Riot Games titles that require it. It's designed to run at boot for optimal anti-cheat effectiveness.
How to resolve "Vanguard not initialized" error?
This error typically means Vanguard failed to start correctly. Ensure you've restarted your PC after installation, check for any conflicting software, and verify your system meets the TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot requirements.
How to reduce Riot Vanguard CPU usage?
Close unnecessary background programs, ensure your system and drivers are updated, and consider setting Vanguard's process priority to "Below Normal" or "Low" in Task Manager.
How to check Riot Vanguard's compatibility with other games?
Riot Vanguard is designed to work with Riot Games titles. While it generally shouldn't cause issues with most other games, some users have reported minor conflicts or stutters with certain non-Riot games in the past. If you experience issues, try temporarily disabling Vanguard (which will prevent you from playing Riot games) to see if the problem resolves.
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