Hello there! So, you're looking to figure out what version of Riot Vanguard you have installed on your computer. Maybe you're troubleshooting an error, ensuring you're up to date, or just plain curious. Whatever the reason, you've come to the right place. Let's dive in and get this sorted out, step by step!
Step 1: The Easiest Way - Check Your System Tray
Let's start with the most straightforward method. Have you ever noticed that little icon in the bottom right corner of your screen, near the clock? That's your system tray! It's where a lot of background programs live.
Sub-heading: Spotting the Vanguard Icon
Take a good look at your system tray. You should see a small, red shield icon with a "V" on it. This is the Riot Vanguard icon. If you see it, that's a great sign, as it means Vanguard is running and active.
Now, here's the trick:
Right-click on the Riot Vanguard shield icon.
A small menu will pop up.
Look for an option like "About" or " Version Information".
Click on it!
If this option is available, a window should appear that displays the current version number of Riot Vanguard. This is the simplest and quickest way to check.
Step 2: Checking from the Riot Games Client
If you can't find the icon in your system tray, or if the "About" option doesn't show the version, don't worry! We can check through the Riot Games client itself.
Open the Riot Games Client. Launch the client that you use to play Valorant, League of Legends, or any other Riot game that uses Vanguard.
Navigate to the Settings. Look for your profile icon in the top right corner of the client. Click on it to bring up the menu, and then select "Settings."
Find the Game Section. In the settings menu, you should see a list of your installed games. Select the game that requires Vanguard, such as Valorant.
Look for the Version. While there isn't a dedicated "Vanguard version" button, sometimes the game's patch notes or version number will correlate directly with a Vanguard update. The Riot Client often forces a Vanguard update alongside game patches. Look at the game's current patch notes or version displayed in the client. For example, a Valorant Patch 11.00 would likely come with an updated Vanguard version.
Step 3: Digging Deeper - Checking Program Files
If the previous steps haven't worked for you, we can get a bit more technical and check the files directly on your computer.
Sub-heading: Finding the Vanguard Folder
Open File Explorer. You can do this by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Navigate to the installation directory. By default, Riot Vanguard is installed in a specific location. Go to
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.Pro Tip: You can also paste this address directly into the address bar of File Explorer and hit Enter.
Locate the main executable. In this folder, you should find a few files. Look for
vgc.exeorvgtray.exe.Check the file properties. Right-click on one of these files and select "Properties" from the context menu.
Go to the Details tab. In the Properties window, click on the "Details" tab.
Find the Product Version. Here, you will find a wealth of information about the file, including the Product Version and File Version. This will give you the specific version number of the Riot Vanguard client.
Step 4: Using Command Prompt (for the Tech-Savvy)
For those of you who are comfortable with the command line, this method can also provide the version information.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Press the Windows key, type
cmd, then right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator."
Use the command line. You can use the
wmiccommand to query the version of thevgcservice. Type the following command and press Enter:wmic product where "name='Riot Vanguard'" get versionAnalyze the output. The command should return the version number of the installed Riot Vanguard component. Note: This might not always work depending on your Windows version or security settings.
Step 5: When All Else Fails - The Game Itself
If you're still having trouble, sometimes the game client will tell you if your Vanguard is out of date. If there's a new version available, you will often be prompted to update it when you launch a Riot game. This is Riot's way of ensuring you are on a compatible and secure version.
Sub-heading: The Update Prompt
If you launch Valorant and a pop-up appears saying "A system reboot is required" or "This build of Vanguard is out of compliance," it's a clear sign that you need to update. While it doesn't tell you the exact version number, it confirms that your current version is not the latest and that an update is needed.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions you might have about Riot Vanguard, with quick and easy answers:
How to update Riot Vanguard? Riot Vanguard updates automatically with game patches. Simply launch the Riot Games client, and if there's a Vanguard update, it will download and install it for you. You may need to restart your computer afterward.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard? You can uninstall Vanguard from "Apps & features" in your Windows settings. Search for "Riot Vanguard," click on it, and select "Uninstall." Remember, you must uninstall it to reinstall it.
How to tell if Riot Vanguard is running?
Look for the red shield icon with a "V" in your system tray. If it's there, Vanguard is running. You can also check your Task Manager for a process called vgc.exe.
How to fix Riot Vanguard errors? Many errors can be fixed by simply restarting your computer. If that doesn't work, try repairing the game client from the Riot client settings or completely uninstalling and reinstalling Vanguard.
How to disable Riot Vanguard? You can temporarily disable Vanguard by right-clicking the system tray icon and selecting "Exit Vanguard." However, you will need to restart your computer to re-enable it and play Vanguard-compatible games.
How to re-enable Riot Vanguard after disabling it? To re-enable Vanguard, simply restart your computer. It is an on-boot application, which means it starts automatically when your system boots up.
How to find the Riot Vanguard installation folder?
The default installation path is C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard.
How to know if my Riot Vanguard is compatible with Windows 11? Riot Vanguard is compatible with Windows 11, but it requires certain security features like Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to be enabled. If you're on Windows 11 and getting an error, check your BIOS settings to ensure these are active.
How to repair Riot Vanguard? There isn't a direct "repair" option for Vanguard itself. The best way to "repair" it is to use the "Repair" function within the Riot Games client for the specific game (e.g., Valorant). This will check and fix any corrupted game files, which can often resolve Vanguard-related issues.
How to check if my drivers are causing Vanguard issues?
Riot's support recommends using the Windows tool sigverif to check for unsigned drivers. You can also check your system logs for any Vanguard-related error messages that might point to a specific driver.
