Hello there! Looking to free up some space on your computer or perhaps troubleshoot an issue by removing Riot Vanguard? You've come to the right place. Let's get this done, step by step.
A Comprehensive, Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Riot Vanguard
Riot Vanguard is a kernel-level anti-cheat software developed by Riot Games. While it's crucial for maintaining competitive integrity in games like VALORANT and League of Legends, it runs at a deep system level and can sometimes conflict with other programs or be perceived as intrusive by users. Therefore, simply uninstalling the game doesn't always remove it. This guide will walk you through the process of a complete and clean uninstallation of Riot Vanguard from your Windows PC.
Step 1: Engage with the System Tray and Exit Vanguard
Before you do anything else, let's make sure Vanguard is not actively running. If it is, the uninstallation process will likely fail.
Look at the bottom right corner of your taskbar, in your system tray. You'll often see a small red shield or a Riot Games logo.
Right-click on the Riot Vanguard icon.
Select the option that says "Exit Vanguard" or "Exit Riot Vanguard."
A pop-up will appear asking for confirmation. Click "Yes" to confirm and close the anti-cheat service. This is a crucial first step!
Now that Vanguard is no longer actively running, you can proceed with the uninstallation.
Step 2: Uninstall from Windows Settings
This is the standard and recommended method to remove any application from your PC.
Sub-heading: Using the Settings App
Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Apps > Installed Apps (or Apps & features, depending on your Windows version).
In the search bar, type "Riot Vanguard".
Locate "Riot Vanguard" in the list of applications.
Click on the three dots or the application entry and select "Uninstall."
You might get a User Account Control (UAC) prompt asking for permission to make changes to your device. Click "Yes" to continue.
Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Sub-heading: Using the Control Panel (Classic Method)
If you prefer the classic Control Panel, here's how you do it:
Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type "Control Panel" and press Enter.
Click on "Programs" and then "Uninstall a program."
Find "Riot Vanguard" in the list of programs.
Right-click on it and select "Uninstall."
Follow the prompts to finalize the uninstallation.
After successfully uninstalling, it is highly recommended that you restart your PC to ensure all related processes are terminated.
Step 3: Manually Remove Leftover Files (Crucial for a Clean Sweep!)
Even after the uninstallation process, some residual files and folders might be left behind. This is where you can ensure a complete removal.
Sub-heading: Deleting Program Files
Open File Explorer (you can do this by pressing Windows Key + E).
Navigate to the following location on your C: drive:
C:\Program Files\Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard."
Right-click on this folder and select "Delete."
You may need to confirm the deletion with administrative privileges.
Sub-heading: Clearing AppData and ProgramData
Residual files can also hide in your AppData and ProgramData folders. Let's get rid of them too.
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type "%appdata%" and press Enter.
In the roaming folder that opens, look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it.
Repeat the process for the following locations:
%LocalAppData%(Type%LocalAppData%in the Run dialog)%ProgramData%(Type%ProgramData%in the Run dialog)
In both these locations, look for and delete any remaining "Riot Games" or "Riot Vanguard" folders.
Step 4: Advanced Cleanup with Command Prompt (for stubborn cases)
If the standard uninstallation fails or you encounter errors, this method can forcefully remove the Vanguard services. This is for users who are comfortable with the command line.
Click the Start button, type "CMD", and then right-click on Command Prompt and select "Run as administrator."
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
sc delete vgcYou should see a message confirming the service deletion.
Now, type the second command and press Enter:
sc delete vgkAgain, you should see a confirmation message.
Restart your computer immediately. This is a non-negotiable step after using these commands.
After the reboot, you can proceed with the manual file deletion from Step 3 if you haven't already.
Related FAQ
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard if it's not showing in my Apps list?
If Vanguard doesn't appear in your installed apps list, you can use the Command Prompt method (Step 4) to forcefully remove the services and then manually delete the remaining files as described in Step 3.
How to know if Riot Vanguard is uninstalled completely?
After following all the steps, check your system tray to ensure the Vanguard icon is gone. Also, verify that the "Riot Vanguard" folder in C:\Program Files\ is no longer present. A quick restart can help confirm that the service is no longer running at startup.
How to remove Riot Vanguard without uninstalling VALORANT?
While you can uninstall Vanguard separately, doing so will prevent you from playing VALORANT. The game requires Vanguard to be active. If you uninstall Vanguard and then launch VALORANT, you will be prompted to reinstall Vanguard before you can play.
How to fix "Riot Vanguard is running" error during uninstallation?
This error occurs because you haven't exited Vanguard from the system tray first. Follow Step 1 of this guide to properly close the application before attempting to uninstall it.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard in Safe Mode?
If you have persistent issues, booting into Safe Mode can help. To do this, go to Settings > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now. After restarting, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Press 4 or F4 to enter Safe Mode, and then try the uninstallation from Windows Settings (Step 2).
How to reinstall Riot Vanguard after uninstalling it?
To reinstall Vanguard, simply launch a Riot Games title that requires it, such as VALORANT. The game client will automatically detect the missing anti-cheat and prompt you to install it. You will need to restart your computer after the installation is complete.
How to uninstall Riot Vanguard on macOS?
The process for macOS is different. You can open Terminal and use the command sudo /Library/Application\ Support/riot-uninstall.sh to run the uninstallation script. You may also need to manually delete leftover files from the Applications folder.
How to prevent Riot Vanguard from starting with my PC?
Currently, Riot Vanguard is designed to run on boot to protect the integrity of the game from the moment your system starts. You can exit it from the system tray (Step 1), but it will restart upon the next reboot. If you want to play a Riot game, it must be running.
How to check for leftover registry entries?
For a deeper cleanup, you can use a registry cleaner tool like CCleaner or RegSeeker. However, be extremely cautious when editing the registry manually, as incorrect changes can cause system instability. It's generally not necessary unless you're troubleshooting a specific issue.
How to know if Riot Vanguard is causing my PC problems?
If you suspect Vanguard is causing issues, you can try temporarily exiting it from the system tray (Step 1) and see if your problem is resolved. If the issue disappears, it might be related to Vanguard. You can also contact Riot Games support for further assistance.
