Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software accompanying games like Valorant, is designed to run deep within your system. While this helps it effectively combat cheating, it can sometimes lead to tricky situations if you need to uninstall or reinstall it. Whether you're troubleshooting an issue, freeing up space, or simply want a fresh start, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Hey there, fellow gamer! Are you ready to take control of your system and get your game running smoothly again? Let's dive in!
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| How To Uninstall And Reinstall Vanguard |
How to Uninstall and Reinstall Riot Vanguard: A Comprehensive Guide
Uninstalling Riot Vanguard is not always as straightforward as removing other programs because of its deep integration with your operating system. However, by following these steps carefully, you can ensure a clean uninstallation and a smooth reinstallation.
Step 1: Prepare for Uninstallation – The Crucial First Move!
Before you even think about clicking "Uninstall," there are a few critical preliminary steps to ensure Vanguard doesn't interfere with its own removal.
A. Close Riot Vanguard from the System Tray
This is often overlooked but incredibly important. Riot Vanguard typically runs in the background.
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
- Locate the Vanguard icon: Look for the red shield icon (Riot Vanguard) in the system tray, usually located in the bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock. You might need to click the "Show hidden icons" arrow to find it.
- Exit Vanguard: Right-click on the Riot Vanguard icon.
- Confirm Exit: From the context menu that appears, select "Exit Vanguard" or "Close Vanguard."
- Permission Prompt: A pop-up will ask for confirmation, often requiring administrator permission. Click "Yes" to allow Vanguard to shut down.
B. Close all Riot Games Applications
Ensure no Riot Client or any Riot game (like Valorant) is running in the background.
- Open Task Manager: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escsimultaneously. - Check for Processes: In the Task Manager, go to the "Processes" tab.
- End Related Tasks: Look for any processes related to Riot Client, Valorant, or Riot Vanguard. Right-click on each one and select "End task." This ensures no active files prevent uninstallation.
Step 2: Uninstall Riot Vanguard
Now that Vanguard is properly shut down, you can proceed with the uninstallation. There are a couple of reliable methods for this.
A. Using Windows Settings (Recommended)
This is the most common and generally easiest way to uninstall applications.
QuickTip: Focus more on the ‘how’ than the ‘what’.
- Open Settings: Press
Windows Key + Ito open the Settings app. - Navigate to Apps: Click on "Apps" and then "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features" on older Windows versions).
- Find Riot Vanguard: Scroll down the list or use the search bar to find "Riot Vanguard."
- Initiate Uninstall: Click on "Riot Vanguard" and then click the "Uninstall" button.
- Confirm: You'll likely see a confirmation prompt. Click "Uninstall" again and follow any on-screen instructions.
B. Using Control Panel (Alternative)
The classic method for managing programs.
- Open Control Panel: Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog. Typecontrol paneland pressEnter. - Go to Programs: Click on "Programs" and then "Uninstall a program."
- Find Riot Vanguard: Locate "Riot Vanguard" in the list of installed programs.
- Initiate Uninstall: Right-click on it and select "Uninstall."
- Follow Prompts: Confirm the uninstallation and follow any further instructions.
Step 3: Delete Leftover Files and Folders (Crucial for a Clean Slate)
Even after uninstalling, some residual files and folders might remain. Deleting these ensures a truly clean removal, especially if you're troubleshooting persistent issues.
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A. Delete Vanguard-Specific Folders
- Open File Explorer: Press
Windows Key + E. - Navigate to Program Files: Go to your C: drive, then open the "Program Files" folder.
- Locate and Delete: Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard." Right-click on it and select "Delete." Confirm if prompted.
B. Delete Riot Games Residual Folders
These folders might contain general Riot Games data, but it's good practice to clear them for a fresh start, especially if you are uninstalling the associated game (e.g., Valorant) as well.
Tip: Don’t overthink — just keep reading.
- Open Run Dialog: Press
Windows Key + R. - Navigate to AppData (Roaming): Type
%appdata%and pressEnter. - Delete Riot Games Folder: In the "Roaming" folder, look for "Riot Games" and delete it.
- Navigate to AppData (Local): Repeat step 1, but this time type
%localappdata%and pressEnter. - Delete Riot Games Folder: In the "Local" folder, look for "Riot Games" and delete it.
- Navigate to ProgramData: Repeat step 1, but this time type
%programdata%and pressEnter. - Delete Riot Games Folder: In the "ProgramData" folder, look for "Riot Games" and delete it.
- Check C:\Riot Games: Finally, go directly to your C: drive and see if there's a folder named "Riot Games." If so, delete it.
C. Run Command Prompt Commands (Advanced, but effective)
These commands ensure the Vanguard services are completely removed from your system.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator: Search for "CMD" in the Windows search bar, right-click on "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator."
- Execute Commands: Type the following commands one by one, pressing
Enterafter each:sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
- Close Command Prompt: Once both commands have executed successfully, you can close the Command Prompt.
Step 4: Restart Your PC
This step is absolutely crucial after uninstalling any software, especially one with kernel-level access like Riot Vanguard. Restarting ensures all processes are terminated and changes are fully applied.
- Simply click on the Start Menu, then the Power icon, and select "Restart."
Step 5: Reinstall Riot Vanguard (and your Riot Game)
Now that your system is clean, you can proceed with reinstalling Vanguard. You typically don't install Vanguard separately; it's installed alongside the Riot game that requires it (e.g., Valorant).
Note: Skipping ahead? Don’t miss the middle sections.
A. Download the Riot Client/Game Installer
- Go to the Official Website: Open your web browser and navigate to the official website of the Riot game you want to play (e.g.,
playvalorant.comfor Valorant). - Download the Game: Look for the "Play Now," "Download," or similar button to download the game client installer.
B. Run the Installer
- Locate the Installer: Find the downloaded installer file (usually in your "Downloads" folder).
- Run as Administrator: Right-click on the installer file and select "Run as administrator." This helps prevent permission-related issues during installation.
- Follow On-Screen Instructions: The Riot Client installer will guide you through the process. Choose your desired installation location and agree to the terms and conditions.
C. Launch the Riot Client and Install/Update the Game
- Launch the Client: Once the Riot Client is installed, launch it.
- Log In: Log in with your Riot account credentials.
- Install/Update Game: If the game isn't already installed, you'll see an option to install it. If it is, the client might prompt you to update it. During this process, Riot Vanguard will automatically be installed or updated alongside the game.
- Wait for Completion: Allow the installation/update process to complete. This might take some time depending on your internet speed and system.
D. Final Restart
After the game and Vanguard have finished installing, the Riot Client will often prompt you to restart your computer. It's important to do this restart to ensure Vanguard fully initializes and integrates with your system.
- Click on the prompt to restart your PC, or manually restart it through the Start Menu.
Step 6: Verify Riot Vanguard is Running
After the final restart, you can quickly check if Vanguard is active.
- Look for the red shield Riot Vanguard icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of the taskbar). If it's there, Vanguard is running.
- You can also try launching your Riot game. If Vanguard is not running properly, the game will usually display an error message and prevent you from playing.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter issues during the process, consider these common solutions:
- Antivirus/Firewall Interference: Sometimes, antivirus software or firewalls can block Vanguard's installation or operation. Temporarily disable them during installation and re-enable them afterward, ensuring you add exceptions for Riot Games and Vanguard.
- Corrupted Files: If you suspect corrupted files, a clean reinstallation (following all deletion steps above) is often the best solution.
- Windows Updates: Ensure your Windows operating system is fully up to date. Outdated systems can cause compatibility issues with Vanguard.
- Administrator Privileges: Always run installers and relevant commands as an administrator.
- System Restore: As a last resort, if issues persist after multiple attempts, consider performing a system restore to a point before you first encountered problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 common "How to" questions related to uninstalling and reinstalling Riot Vanguard, along with quick answers:
How to Check if Riot Vanguard is Running?
- Look for the red shield icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar). If it's there, Vanguard is active.
How to Stop Riot Vanguard from Running at Startup?
- While not recommended if you play Riot games, you can disable its startup by opening Task Manager (
Ctrl + Shift + Esc), going to the "Startup" tab, finding "Riot Vanguard," and clicking "Disable." However, it will likely restart when you launch a Riot game.
How to Fix "Vanguard Not Initialized" Error?
- Often, restarting your PC or performing a full uninstall and reinstall of Vanguard and the associated game will resolve this. Ensure Vanguard is allowed to run at startup and isn't blocked by your antivirus.
How to Uninstall Riot Vanguard if it Fails via Settings/Control Panel?
- First, ensure you've properly closed Vanguard from the system tray and ended all related processes in Task Manager. If it still fails, use the Command Prompt (
sc delete vgcandsc delete vgk) and manually delete leftover files.
How to Ensure All Riot Vanguard Files are Deleted?
- Follow Step 3 of this guide: delete the "Riot Vanguard" folder in "Program Files," and "Riot Games" folders in
%appdata%,%localappdata%,%programdata%, andC:\Riot Games, then run thesc deletecommands in Command Prompt.
How to Reinstall Riot Vanguard without Reinstalling the Game?
- Typically, Vanguard is installed automatically when you launch the Riot Client for a game that requires it. If Vanguard is missing, launching your Riot game will prompt its reinstallation.
How to Update Riot Vanguard?
- Riot Vanguard updates automatically with your Riot game client. Simply launching your game and letting it update will usually update Vanguard as well.
How to Resolve Riot Vanguard Compatibility Issues?
- Ensure your Windows is fully updated, enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS (if applicable for Windows 11), and temporarily disable antivirus/firewall during installation.
How to Fix "Vanguard Anti-Cheat Not Installed" Error?
- This error usually means Vanguard is not properly installed or running. Perform a full uninstall of Vanguard (and the game if you're still facing issues), restart your PC, and then reinstall the game, which will include Vanguard.
How to Contact Riot Games Support for Vanguard Issues?
- If you've tried all troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing problems, visit the official Riot Games Support website for the specific game you're playing (e.g., support.riotgames.com or support-valorant.riotgames.com) and submit a ticket.
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