You've decided to remove Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat system for Riot Games titles like Valorant and League of Legends, from your computer. Perhaps you're experiencing compatibility issues, you're done playing the games that require it, or you simply want to free up system resources. Whatever your reason, this comprehensive, step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of completely deleting Vanguard from your system.
Before we begin, a very important note: Riot Vanguard is deeply integrated with the games it protects. If you uninstall Vanguard, you will not be able to play Valorant or League of Legends (and potentially other Riot titles) until it is reinstalled. Keep this in mind as you proceed!
The Grand Farewell: A Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting Riot Vanguard
Deleting Riot Vanguard isn't as straightforward as uninstalling a regular program, as it operates at a deeper, kernel level of your operating system. We'll cover multiple methods to ensure a thorough removal.
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| How To Delete Vanguard Anti Cheat |
Step 1: Engage the System Tray – The First Good-Bye
Ready to start the process? Your first move is to politely ask Vanguard to take a break. This is a crucial preliminary step, as attempting to uninstall Vanguard while it's actively running can lead to errors.
- Locate the System Tray: Look at the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock. You might see a small arrow pointing upwards (^) that indicates hidden icons. Click this arrow to expand your system tray.
- Find the Vanguard Icon: In the expanded system tray, you'll see a red shield icon, which is the Riot Vanguard emblem.
- Exit Vanguard: Right-click on the Riot Vanguard icon. A small menu will pop up. Select the option that says "Exit Vanguard."
- Confirm the Action: A prompt will appear asking if you're sure you want to stop the Vanguard anti-cheat service. Click "Yes" to confirm. This will temporarily disable Vanguard, making it ready for uninstallation.
Step 2: The Standard Uninstallation – Through Windows Settings (Recommended First Attempt)
This is the most common and often successful method for uninstalling programs on Windows.
Tip: Look for small cues in wording.
Sub-heading 2.1: Accessing Apps & Features
- Open Windows Settings:
- Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard. This is a quick shortcut to open the Settings application.
- Alternatively, click on the Start Menu and then click on the gear icon (Settings).
- Navigate to Apps: In the Settings window, click on "Apps" or "Apps & features" (the name may vary slightly depending on your Windows version).
Sub-heading 2.2: Locating and Uninstalling Riot Vanguard
- Find Riot Vanguard: In the list of installed applications, scroll down or use the search bar to find "Riot Vanguard."
- Initiate Uninstall:
- Click on "Riot Vanguard" in the list.
- An "Uninstall" button will appear. Click on it.
- You might be prompted with another confirmation. Click "Uninstall" again.
- Follow On-Screen Prompts: A Riot Vanguard uninstaller wizard will likely appear. Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the process. This usually involves clicking "Next" or "Confirm."
Step 3: The Command Line Maneuver – For Stubborn Installations
If the standard method in Step 2 doesn't completely remove Vanguard, or if you encounter errors, the Command Prompt can be a powerful tool for a more forceful removal.
Sub-heading 3.1: Opening Command Prompt as Administrator
- Search for CMD: Press the Windows key (or click the Start button) and type "CMD" into the search bar.
- Run as Administrator: In the search results, you'll see "Command Prompt." Right-click on it and select "Run as administrator." This is crucial, as you need administrative privileges to modify system services. A User Account Control (UAC) prompt might appear; click "Yes" to allow it.
Sub-heading 3.2: Executing the Deletion Commands
Once the Command Prompt window opens (it will have a black background), carefully type or paste the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
- Explanation: These commands directly target and delete the Vanguard services (
vgcandvgk) that run in the background.
Sub-heading 3.3: The Essential Reboot
This step is absolutely critical. The changes made in the Command Prompt will not take full effect until your system restarts.
- Restart Your Computer: Go to your Start Menu, click the power icon, and select "Restart."
Step 4: The Clean Sweep – Deleting Leftover Files
Even after uninstallation, some residual files or folders might remain. Cleaning these up ensures a truly complete removal.
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Sub-heading 4.1: Locating and Deleting the Riot Vanguard Folder
- Open File Explorer: Press the Windows key + E on your keyboard, or click the folder icon on your taskbar.
- Navigate to Program Files: Go to your primary drive (usually C:), then open the "Program Files" folder.
- Delete Riot Vanguard Folder: Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard." Right-click on this folder and select "Delete." If prompted for administrator permission, grant it.
Sub-heading 4.2: Clearing Hidden Application Data (Optional but Recommended)
Riot Games applications can sometimes leave traces in hidden app data folders.
- Open Run Dialog: Press Windows key + R on your keyboard.
- Navigate to AppData: Type
%appdata%(including the percentage signs) into the Run dialog and press Enter. This will open the Roaming folder within your AppData directory. - Delete Riot Games Folder (if present): Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it.
- Repeat for LocalAppdata and ProgramData: Close the current folder and repeat steps 1-3 for the following paths:
%LocalAppData%(then look for "Riot Games" folder)%ProgramData%(then look for "Riot Games" folder)
Step 5: Registry Cleanup (Advanced Users Only - Proceed with Caution!)
The Windows Registry is a database that stores settings and options for the operating system and applications. While deleting registry entries manually is generally not recommended for beginners as incorrect edits can cause system instability, using a dedicated tool can help.
If you are unsure about this step, it's best to skip it. For those comfortable, consider using a reputable registry cleaner tool like CCleaner or RegSeeker. These tools can identify and remove orphaned registry entries left behind by uninstalled programs. Always create a system restore point before making any changes to your registry.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Handle Vanguard
How to Disable Vanguard Temporarily?
You can temporarily disable Vanguard by right-clicking its icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of your screen) and selecting "Exit Vanguard." Remember to restart your PC if you wish to play a Riot game again, as Vanguard must be running.
Tip: Don’t skip the details — they matter.
How to Reinstall Vanguard After Deletion?
Simply launch any Riot game that requires Vanguard (like Valorant or League of Legends). The Riot client will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to reinstall it. Follow the on-screen instructions. A system reboot will be required after installation.
How to Tell if Vanguard is Running?
Look for the red shield icon in your system tray (the area near the clock on your taskbar). If you see it, Vanguard is running. You can also check in Task Manager under the "Processes" tab for "vgc" or "vgk" services.
How to Resolve "Vanguard Not Running" Errors?
First, try restarting your PC. If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling Vanguard (and the associated Riot game). Ensure your Windows is up to date and that Exploit Protection and TPM 2.0 (for Windows 11) are enabled if required by Vanguard.
How to Uninstall Valorant Completely (Including Vanguard)?
To completely uninstall Valorant, you must first disable and uninstall Riot Vanguard using the steps outlined above. After Vanguard is removed, you can then proceed to uninstall Valorant from your Windows Apps & Features settings, followed by deleting any remaining Riot Games folders.
QuickTip: Use the post as a quick reference later.
How to Check for Leftover Vanguard Files?
After uninstalling, manually check the C:\Program Files\ directory for a "Riot Vanguard" folder. Also, check %appdata%, %LocalAppData%, and %ProgramData% for any "Riot Games" folders and delete them.
How to Deal with Uninstall Errors Related to Vanguard Being Active?
Ensure you have successfully "Exited Vanguard" from the system tray before attempting uninstallation. If you still encounter errors, try restarting your computer and then immediately proceeding with the uninstallation steps. Using the Command Prompt method (Step 3) is also effective for stubborn issues.
How to Uninstall Vanguard if I Don't Play Valorant Anymore?
Follow the steps in this guide from start to finish. Since Vanguard is a standalone anti-cheat, it needs to be uninstalled separately even if the associated game is already gone.
How to Avoid Issues When Reinstalling Riot Games After Deleting Vanguard?
A clean slate is always best. After fully deleting Vanguard and any residual Riot Games files, restarting your computer is highly recommended before initiating a fresh installation of your Riot game. This ensures no old, corrupt files interfere with the new installation.
How to Contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard Issues?
If you encounter persistent problems that this guide doesn't resolve, the best course of action is to contact Riot Games Player Support. They have dedicated teams to assist with Vanguard-related issues and can provide specific troubleshooting steps or log analysis.
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