Hey there! Ready to reclaim your PC from the clutches of Riot Vanguard? Whether you're making space, troubleshooting issues, or simply moving on from Valorant, a thorough uninstallation of Vanguard is key. It's a kernel-level anti-cheat, which means it runs deeper than most programs, so a simple click of the uninstall button might not cut it.
Let's get this done, step by meticulous step!
Step 1: Disable Riot Vanguard – The Essential First Move
This is where we engage! Have you already tried to uninstall Valorant and found that Vanguard is still lurking? That's because Vanguard needs to be shut down before you attempt to remove it. Think of it like defusing a bomb – you need to disarm it first!
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| How To Make Sure Vanguard Is Uninstalled |
Sub-heading: Exiting Vanguard from the System Tray
The easiest way to do this is through your system tray.
Locate the System Tray: Look in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near your clock and network icons. You might need to click the small upward-pointing arrow (caret
^) to reveal hidden icons.Find the Vanguard Icon: You'll typically see a red Riot Vanguard icon (it often looks like a stylized "V" or a shield).
Right-Click and Exit: Right-click on this icon. A small menu will appear.
Select "Exit Vanguard": Click on this option.
Confirm: A prompt will likely appear asking if you're sure you want to exit. Click "Yes" to confirm. This will stop the Vanguard anti-cheat service from running.
Step 2: Uninstall Riot Vanguard – The Primary Removal
Now that Vanguard is disabled, we can proceed with uninstalling it like any other program.
Sub-heading: Using Windows Settings (Recommended for Windows 10/11)
This is the modern and generally preferred method.
Open Settings: Press the
Windows Key + Ion your keyboard to open the Settings app.Navigate to Apps: Click on "Apps" in the left-hand menu, then select "Installed apps" (Windows 11) or "Apps & features" (Windows 10).
Find Riot Vanguard: Scroll through the list of installed applications or use the search bar to find "Riot Vanguard."
Initiate Uninstall: Click on "Riot Vanguard" in the list.
For Windows 11: Click the three vertical dots next to it, then select "Uninstall."
For Windows 10: Click on the application, then select "Uninstall."
Confirm Uninstall: A confirmation dialog will appear. Click "Uninstall" again. You might also be prompted by User Account Control (UAC) to allow the app to make changes; click "Yes."
Follow On-Screen Prompts: Complete any further steps presented by the uninstaller.
Sub-heading: Using Control Panel (Alternative for Older Windows Versions or if Settings Fails)
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
If you're on an older version of Windows or the Settings method doesn't work, the Control Panel is your next stop.
Open Control Panel:
Windows 10/11: Type "Control Panel" into the Windows search bar and select "Control Panel" from the results.
Older Windows: Click the Start button, then select "Control Panel."
Go to Programs and Features: Under the "Programs" section, click on "Uninstall a program."
Find Riot Vanguard: Locate "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed programs.
Initiate Uninstall: Right-click on "Riot Vanguard" and select "Uninstall."
Follow On-Screen Prompts: Proceed with the uninstallation as prompted, confirming any UAC requests.
Step 3: Uninstall Valorant (If Applicable) – The Game Itself
If you're uninstalling Vanguard because you no longer want to play Valorant, now's the time to remove the game client. Remember, uninstalling Valorant alone will NOT uninstall Riot Vanguard!
Sub-heading: Removing Valorant via Windows Settings/Control Panel
The process is identical to uninstalling Riot Vanguard.
Open Settings (
Windows Key + I) or Control Panel.Navigate to Apps & features (or "Uninstall a program").
Find "Valorant" (it might be listed as "Riot Games - Valorant").
Click/Right-click and select "Uninstall."
Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation.
Step 4: Manual Cleanup – Deleting Leftover Files
Even after using the uninstaller, some residual files and folders can remain. A clean sweep ensures everything is gone.
Sub-heading: Deleting Program Files
Open File Explorer: Press
Windows Key + E.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 it asks for administrator permission, click "Continue" or "Yes."
Check for "Riot Games" Folder (Optional): While you're here, also check for a folder named "Riot Games." If it contains only Valorant or Vanguard files and no other Riot games you wish to keep, you can delete this as well. Be cautious if you have other Riot games like League of Legends installed, as this folder might contain shared client files.
Sub-heading: Deleting AppData and ProgramData Remnants
Hidden folders can also harbor leftover files.
QuickTip: Skip distractions — focus on the words.
Open the Run Dialog: Press
Windows Key + R.Type
%appdata%: In the Run dialog, type%appdata%and press Enter. This will open your Roaming AppData folder.Delete "Riot Games" Folder: Look for a folder named "Riot Games." Right-click on it and select "Delete."
Repeat for
LocalAppData: Open the Run dialog again (Windows Key + R), type%LocalAppData%and press Enter. Look for a "Riot Games" folder and delete it.Repeat for
ProgramData: This folder is often hidden.Open the Run dialog (
Windows Key + R), type%ProgramData%and press Enter. Look for a "Riot Games" folder and delete it.Alternatively, you can navigate to
C:\ProgramData\in File Explorer (you might need to enable "Show hidden items" in the "View" tab of File Explorer's ribbon).
Step 5: Registry Cleanup (Optional, but Recommended for Thoroughness)
This step involves editing your Windows Registry, which can be risky if not done carefully. Only proceed if you are comfortable with this, or consider using a reputable registry cleaner tool.
Sub-heading: Using Command Prompt for Key Services
This method directly targets the Vanguard services.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
Type
cmdinto the Windows search bar.Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the results and select "Run as administrator."
Execute Commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing
Enterafter each:sc delete vgcsc delete vgkYou should see a success message for each if the service was found. If it says "specified service does not exist," it means the service was already removed, which is a good sign!
Sub-heading: Using a Registry Cleaner (Caution Advised)
Tools like CCleaner or RegSeeker can help identify and remove orphaned registry entries.
Download a Reputable Cleaner: If you choose this route, download a well-regarded registry cleaner from its official website.
Run a Scan: Follow the cleaner's instructions to perform a scan for registry issues.
Review and Fix: Carefully review the detected issues. While these tools are generally safe, always double-check what they propose to delete, especially concerning system files. Only fix entries clearly related to "Riot" or "Vanguard."
Create a Backup: Most good registry cleaners offer the option to create a backup of your registry before making changes. Always take this backup.
Step 6: Restart Your Computer – Finalizing the Removal
This step is crucial. Restarting your computer ensures that all lingering processes are terminated and changes made to your system (especially registry changes) are properly applied.
Click the Start button.
Click the Power icon.
Select "Restart."
Once your computer reboots, Riot Vanguard should be completely uninstalled from your system.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Tip: Read slowly to catch the finer details.
How to check if Vanguard is completely uninstalled?
You can check by going to Settings > Apps > Installed apps (or Apps & features) and ensuring "Riot Vanguard" is no longer listed. Also, check C:\Program Files\ and %ProgramData% for any remaining "Riot Vanguard" folders. Finally, look in your system tray; the icon should be gone.
How to uninstall Vanguard if it's not listed in "Apps & features"?
If Vanguard isn't listed, you'll need to use the manual Command Prompt method (sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk) followed by manually deleting the C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard folder after a reboot.
How to fix "Vanguard won't uninstall" errors?
Often, this error occurs if Vanguard is still running. Ensure you've exited Vanguard from the system tray (Step 1). If the issue persists, use the Command Prompt method (Step 5, Sub-heading: Using Command Prompt for Key Services), then restart your PC and try deleting the files manually.
How to uninstall Vanguard without uninstalling Valorant?
You can uninstall Vanguard separately using the steps outlined in this guide. However, be aware that Valorant requires Vanguard to run, so if you uninstall Vanguard, you won't be able to play Valorant until you reinstall Vanguard (which Valorant will prompt you to do when you launch it).
How to prevent Vanguard from reinstalling automatically with Valorant?
You can't. Riot Vanguard is a mandatory anti-cheat component for Valorant and other Riot Games titles. If you reinstall Valorant, Vanguard will be installed alongside it.
QuickTip: Take a pause every few paragraphs.
How to remove Riot Client as well?
The Riot Client (the launcher for Riot Games) can usually be uninstalled like any other program through Settings > Apps > Installed apps. After uninstalling, also check and delete any leftover "Riot Games" folders in C:\Program Files, %appdata%, %LocalAppData%, and %ProgramData%.
How to delete my Riot Games account completely?
To delete your entire Riot Games account (which includes all game progress, skins, and purchases across all Riot titles), you need to submit a ticket to Riot Games Support. This is a separate process from uninstalling the software.
How to re-install Vanguard if I change my mind?
If you've uninstalled Vanguard but want to play Valorant again, simply launch the Valorant game client. It will detect that Vanguard is missing and prompt you to download and install it. You'll likely need to restart your PC after the installation.
How to troubleshoot Vanguard issues after an incomplete uninstall?
If you're facing issues (like "VAN" errors in Valorant or system instability) after an incomplete uninstall, the best course of action is often to perform a clean reinstall of both Valorant and Vanguard. This involves completely removing both as per this guide, then freshly downloading and installing Valorant.
How to find hidden Riot Vanguard files if I can't locate them?
The most common locations for persistent Vanguard files are C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard, %appdata%\Riot Games, %LocalAppData%\Riot Games, and %ProgramData%\Riot Games. Ensure "Show hidden items" is enabled in your File Explorer's "View" tab to see hidden ProgramData and AppData folders.
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