Feeling stuck with Riot Vanguard on your system even after uninstalling VALORANT or other Riot Games titles? You're not alone! Many users find that this kernel-level anti-cheat system has a knack for lingering around. But don't worry, we're here to guide you through a complete and thorough removal process. Let's get that digital baggage off your PC!
How to Completely Remove Riot Vanguard: A Step-by-Step Guide
Riot Vanguard, while crucial for maintaining competitive integrity in games like VALORANT and League of Legends, can be quite persistent. It operates at a deep system level, which means a simple "uninstall" often isn't enough to get rid of every trace. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to ensure a clean sweep.
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| How To Completely Remove Riot Vanguard |
Step 1: Let's begin by ensuring Vanguard is not actively running.
Before we dive into the uninstallation, it's absolutely crucial to make sure Riot Vanguard isn't running in the background. If it is, it can interfere with the removal process.
Sub-heading 1.1: Closing Vanguard from the System Tray
- Look for the icon: In the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock, you'll see a small upward-pointing arrow (the "Show hidden icons" arrow). Click it to expand your system tray.
- Identify Vanguard: You should see a distinctive red shield icon, which represents Riot Vanguard.
- Exit Vanguard: Right-click on this red shield icon. A small menu will appear. Select "Exit Vanguard" or "More..." followed by "Uninstall Vanguard" if that option is directly available.
- Confirm: A prompt will likely ask you to confirm if you want to turn off Vanguard. Click "Yes".
Why is this important? Vanguard's kernel-level access means it's deeply integrated into your system. Closing it beforehand ensures no active processes are locking files that need to be deleted.
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Step 2: Uninstalling Riot Vanguard via Windows Settings
Now that Vanguard is not actively running, we can proceed with the official uninstallation through Windows.
Sub-heading 2.1: Using "Apps & Features" (Windows 10/11)
- Open Settings: Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings application.
- Navigate to Apps: Click on "Apps" in the left-hand menu, then select "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features" on older Windows versions).
- Find Riot Vanguard: Scroll down the list of installed programs or use the search bar to find "Riot Vanguard".
- Initiate Uninstall: Click on "Riot Vanguard", then click the "Uninstall" button. You may need to click "Uninstall" again in a pop-up window to confirm.
- Follow Prompts: Carefully follow any on-screen instructions the uninstaller provides. This usually involves confirming your choice and allowing the application to make changes to your device.
Sub-heading 2.2: Alternative: Using the Control Panel (Older Windows Versions or if Settings Fails)
- Open Control Panel: Press Windows key + R to open the Run dialog, type
control panel, and press Enter. Alternatively, search for "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar. - Go to Programs: Click on "Programs" then "Uninstall a program".
- Locate Vanguard: Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed programs.
- Uninstall: Right-click on it and choose "Uninstall". Follow any on-screen prompts.
Remember: Even after this step, some leftover files and registry entries might remain. This is why we're going for a complete removal!
Step 3: Removing Valorant (and other Riot Games titles)
If you're uninstalling Vanguard, chances are you're also done with VALORANT. It's a good idea to uninstall the game itself at this stage, as it can sometimes leave behind associated files that Vanguard might also be linked to.
Tip: Don’t skim — absorb.
Sub-heading 3.1: Uninstalling Valorant through Windows Settings
- Return to Apps & Features: Go back to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or "Apps & features").
- Find Valorant: Locate "VALORANT" in the list.
- Uninstall: Click on "VALORANT", then "Uninstall", and confirm your choice.
Step 4: Using Command Prompt for Deeper Removal
This step is crucial for removing the kernel-level drivers that Vanguard installs. This is often where Vanguard truly "sticks" to your system.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Press the Windows key and type
cmd. - Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the search results and select "Run as administrator".
- Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control.
- Press the Windows key and type
- Execute Commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
sc delete vgcsc delete vgk- You should see a message indicating "SC [SC] DeleteService SUCCESS" if the services were present and successfully deleted. If you get a message like "The specified service does not exist," it means they were already removed or never installed (less likely if Vanguard was running).
- Restart Your PC: This is a critical step after running these commands. Restart your computer immediately to ensure the changes take effect and any locked files are released.
Why these commands? vgc and vgk are the kernel-mode drivers associated with Riot Vanguard. Manually deleting these services ensures they are no longer loading with your operating system.
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Step 5: Manual Deletion of Leftover Files and Folders
Even after uninstalling and deleting services, some residual files and folders might be left behind. We'll manually track them down and remove them.
Tip: Each paragraph has one main idea — find it.
Sub-heading 5.1: Deleting Riot Vanguard Program Files
- Open File Explorer: Press Windows key + E or click on the "File Explorer" icon in your taskbar.
- Navigate to Program Files: Go to
C:\Program Files\ - Delete Riot Vanguard Folder: Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard". Right-click on it and select "Delete". If you encounter any permission issues, restart your PC in Safe Mode (see FAQ section for how to do this) and try deleting it there.
Sub-heading 5.2: Cleaning Up AppData and ProgramData Folders
These hidden folders often contain leftover application data.
- Open Run Dialog: Press Windows key + R.
- Navigate to AppData:
- Type
%appdata%and press Enter. This will open the Roaming folder within AppData. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it. - Repeat the process, but this time type
%LocalAppData%and press Enter. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it. - Repeat again, typing
%ProgramData%and pressing Enter. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it. (Note: ProgramData is a hidden folder by default. You might need to enable "Show hidden items" in File Explorer's View tab.)
- Type
Sub-heading 5.3: Checking the Main Riot Games Installation Directory
- Check
C:\Riot Games: If you installed VALORANT or other Riot Games titles to the default location, there might be a "Riot Games" folder directly under your C: drive. Navigate toC:\Riot Gamesand delete any remaining files or folders related to Vanguard or Valorant.
Step 6: Optional: Registry Cleanup (For Advanced Users)
Warning: Modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause severe system instability. Proceed with extreme caution or use a reputable third-party cleaner.
While not strictly necessary for most users, cleaning the registry can remove any leftover entries that point to non-existent Vanguard files.
QuickTip: Copy useful snippets to a notes app.
- Use a Reputable Registry Cleaner: Tools like CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller (their paid versions often include a more thorough registry cleaner) can help identify and remove orphaned registry entries. Always create a backup of your registry before making changes.
- Manual Registry Editing (Advanced and Risky):
- Press Windows key + R, type
regedit, and press Enter. Click "Yes" if prompted. - Navigate through the registry editor. You can use Ctrl+F to search for "Riot Vanguard," "vgc," "vgk," or "Riot Games."
- Carefully examine any found entries. Only delete keys or values that clearly pertain to Riot Vanguard and have no other purpose. If in doubt, do not delete. Look for entries in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ServicesHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWAREHKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
- Press Windows key + R, type
The safest approach here is to use a dedicated, well-regarded uninstaller that includes a registry cleaning feature.
Step 7: Emptying the Recycle Bin and Final Restart
- Empty Recycle Bin: After deleting all those files, right-click on your Recycle Bin icon on your desktop and select "Empty Recycle Bin". This permanently removes the files from your system.
- Final Restart: Give your PC one last restart. This ensures all temporary files are cleared and any lingering processes are terminated.
Congratulations! You have now performed a comprehensive removal of Riot Vanguard from your system.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 related FAQ questions that start with 'How to' with their quick answers:
How to check if Riot Vanguard is still running after uninstalling?
- Quick Answer: Look for the red shield icon in your system tray (bottom-right of your taskbar). If it's not there, it's likely not running. You can also open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and look for "Riot Vanguard" or "vgc.exe" processes under the "Details" tab.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard if it's not listed in Apps & Features?
- Quick Answer: If it's not listed, proceed directly to Step 4 (Command Prompt removal of
vgcandvgkservices) and Step 5 (manual deletion of files and folders).
How to uninstall Valorant without uninstalling Riot Vanguard?
- Quick Answer: You can uninstall Valorant through Windows Settings (Apps & Features) first. Vanguard will remain installed and active, as it's a separate program and may be required for other Riot titles you play.
How to re-install Riot Vanguard if I change my mind?
- Quick Answer: Riot Vanguard is automatically re-installed when you install VALORANT or other Riot Games titles that require it. Just reinstall the game, and Vanguard will come with it.
How to disable Riot Vanguard temporarily without uninstalling it?
- Quick Answer: Right-click on the red Vanguard shield icon in your system tray and select "Exit Vanguard." You'll need to restart your PC for it to become active again when you want to play a Riot game.
How to fix "Vanguard prevents uninstallation" error?
- Quick Answer: First, make sure you've exited Vanguard from the system tray (Step 1). If that doesn't work, try restarting your PC and then immediately attempting the uninstall. If it still persists, the Command Prompt method (Step 4) is your best bet.
How to remove remaining Riot Games client files after uninstalling Vanguard and Valorant?
- Quick Answer: Check the
%appdata%,%LocalAppData%,%ProgramData%folders, and theC:\Riot Gamesdirectory for any lingering "Riot Games" or "Riot Client" folders and delete them (Step 5).
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard in Safe Mode?
- Quick Answer: To enter Safe Mode, go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. Then, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press F4 or 4 for "Enable Safe Mode." Once in Safe Mode, try the standard uninstall method (Step 2) or manual deletion (Step 5).
How to use a third-party uninstaller for Riot Vanguard?
- Quick Answer: Download and install a reputable uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller. Run the uninstaller, select Riot Vanguard from the list, and choose a "moderate" or "advanced" scan to remove associated files and registry entries.
How to ensure no performance impact after Riot Vanguard removal?
- Quick Answer: By following all the steps, especially the Command Prompt service deletion and manual file cleanup, you ensure that no background processes or drivers from Vanguard are consuming system resources, leading to a clean and unimpeded PC performance.
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