Of course! Here is a very detailed, step-by-step guide on how to delete Riot Vanguard using Command Prompt.
Ready to reclaim control of your PC? Let's get started.
Have you ever felt like a program has taken over your computer, running in the background and causing issues you can't quite pinpoint? Riot Vanguard, the kernel-level anti-cheat software for games like Valorant, can sometimes feel that way. While it's designed to protect you from cheaters, its deep system integration can lead to conflicts with other software, performance issues, or simply a feeling of unease. If you're looking to uninstall it completely, especially when the standard methods fail, the Command Prompt is your best friend.
This guide will walk you through the process of manually and thoroughly removing Riot Vanguard from your system using the powerful command-line interface.
Step 1: The Essential First Move - Close Vanguard Gracefully
Before we dive into the command-line magic, we need to make sure Vanguard isn't actively running. Trying to delete a program while it's in use is like trying to change a tire on a moving car—it's just not going to work.
Look to your System Tray: In the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, you'll see a small upward-pointing arrow (the caret symbol,
^). Click it to expand your system tray icons.Find the red shield: Look for the Riot Vanguard icon, which is a red shield with a V in it.
Right-click and exit: Right-click on the Vanguard icon and select Exit Vanguard. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click Yes to confirm. This will disable Vanguard's anti-cheat service and allow us to proceed with the uninstallation.
Step 2: Unleash the Power of Command Prompt (As an Administrator!)
This is where the real work begins. We will use Command Prompt to interact with your computer's services and delete the core components of Riot Vanguard. This requires administrator privileges to make system-level changes.
Sub-heading 2.1: Opening Command Prompt with Administrator Rights
Search for CMD: Press the Windows key on your keyboard or click the Start Menu.
Type
CMD: In the search bar, typecmd. You'll see "Command Prompt" appear in the results.Right-click and run as administrator: This step is crucial. Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the search results and select Run as administrator.
Confirm the User Account Control (UAC) prompt: A window will pop up asking for your permission to allow the app to make changes to your device. Click Yes.
You will now see a black window with white text. This is the Command Prompt running in administrator mode, giving you the power to execute system commands.
Step 3: The sc delete Command - The Core of the Uninstallation
Now, we'll use a specific command to delete the services associated with Riot Vanguard. The sc command is used for service control, and we'll use the delete parameter.
Sub-heading 3.1: Deleting the Vanguard services
Input the first command: In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly as it appears and press Enter:
sc delete vgcYou should see a message saying[SC] DeleteService SUCCESS. This confirms that the Vanguard client service has been successfully marked for deletion.Input the second command: Now, type the next command and press Enter:
sc delete vgkAgain, you should see a message confirming the success of the operation. This deletes the kernel-level driver service.
Note: These commands don't instantly remove the files, but they stop the services from loading when you restart your computer, which is a vital step in a complete uninstallation.
Step 4: The Mandatory Reboot
This is not an optional step. You must restart your computer for the changes made in the Command Prompt to take effect. If you skip this, you will not be able to delete the remaining files in the next step.
Restart your computer: Go to the Start Menu, click the power icon, and select Restart.
Be patient: Let your computer shut down and boot back up. The Vanguard services will no longer be running when you log back in.
Step 5: The Final Cleanup - Manually Deleting Remaining Files
Even after deleting the services, the Vanguard files themselves will still be on your hard drive. We'll now navigate to the installation directory and manually delete the folder.
Open File Explorer: You can do this by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard or by clicking the folder icon in your taskbar.
Navigate to the Program Files directory: In the address bar at the top, type or click through to
C:\Program Files.Find and delete the Riot Vanguard folder: Scroll down the list of folders until you find a folder named Riot Vanguard.
Right-click and delete: Right-click on the folder and select Delete.
Confirm deletion (if prompted): You might be asked for administrator permission to delete the folder. Click Continue or Yes.
Empty the Recycle Bin: To make sure it's gone for good, right-click on your Recycle Bin on the desktop and select Empty Recycle Bin.
Congratulations! You have now successfully uninstalled Riot Vanguard using Command Prompt.
Related FAQ
How to check if Riot Vanguard is uninstalled?
You can check if Riot Vanguard is uninstalled by going to "Add or remove programs" in your Windows settings and searching for it. If it's not in the list, and you have successfully completed the steps above, it is removed. You can also check your system tray on startup to see if the red Vanguard shield icon appears.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard without restarting my computer?
It is not recommended to uninstall Riot Vanguard without restarting your computer. The kernel-level driver (vgk.sys) is loaded deep within the system, and a restart is essential to unload it and allow for a clean deletion of the files.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard from Windows 10/11?
The standard method is to go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features) and uninstall it from there. However, if this fails, the Command Prompt method described in this guide is the most reliable way to force the uninstallation.
How to fix "Vanguard won't uninstall" errors?
The most common reason for this error is that Vanguard is still running. The Command Prompt method in this guide is a direct solution. Additionally, make sure you have closed any Riot Games clients (like Valorant or the Riot Client) before attempting the uninstallation.
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard after uninstalling it?
To reinstall Riot Vanguard, simply launch the Riot Client or Valorant game. The client will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it. Follow the on-screen instructions, and you will likely need to restart your computer after the installation is complete.
How to disable Riot Vanguard without uninstalling it?
You can temporarily disable Vanguard by right-clicking its icon in the system tray and selecting "Exit Vanguard." However, note that you will not be able to play Valorant or other Vanguard-protected games while it is disabled.
How to remove leftover files from Riot Vanguard?
After uninstalling, you can manually delete the Riot Vanguard folder from C:\Program Files. For a more thorough cleanup, you can also check the %appdata%, %localappdata%, and %programdata% folders for any remaining Riot Games folders and delete them.
How to find the Riot Vanguard folder?
The default installation location is C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard. If you installed it to a different drive, you will need to navigate to that drive's Program Files folder.
How to use a third-party uninstaller for Riot Vanguard?
While you can use third-party uninstallers, they may not always be able to remove the kernel-level driver. Using the Command Prompt method first, followed by a third-party uninstaller for a more comprehensive cleanup, can be a good combination.
How to re-enable Riot Vanguard after disabling it?
To re-enable Vanguard, simply restart your computer. The service is set to start automatically with Windows. If for some reason it doesn't, launching the Riot Client or Valorant will prompt you to run it.