Have you decided it's time to bid farewell to Valorant and its persistent companion, Riot Vanguard? Whether you're reclaiming precious disk space, troubleshooting system conflicts, or simply moving on to other gaming adventures, a clean uninstallation is key. Riot Vanguard, being a kernel-level anti-cheat system, can be a bit stubborn to remove completely. But don't worry, I'm here to guide you through every single step to ensure a thorough removal!
Let's get started on reclaiming your PC from the depths of anti-cheat software!
The Comprehensive Guide to Uninstalling Riot Vanguard (and Valorant)
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to understand why uninstalling Riot Vanguard isn't always as simple as clicking "Uninstall" for other applications. Vanguard operates at a deep system level (kernel level), meaning it runs even when Valorant isn't active, to prevent cheating. This deep integration is why it can sometimes leave behind traces or even prevent uninstallation if not handled correctly.
Step 1: Prepare for the Uninstallation (The Crucial First Move!)
This is perhaps the most vital step to ensure a smooth uninstallation process. If Vanguard or the Riot Client is running in the background, you'll likely encounter errors.
Sub-heading 1.1: Closing Riot Vanguard from the System Tray
- Locate the System Tray: Look for the small upward-pointing arrow (^) in the bottom-right corner of your Windows taskbar. This is your system tray, where background applications often reside.
- Find the Vanguard Icon: You'll typically see a red, shield-like icon representing Riot Vanguard.
- Exit Vanguard: Right-click on the Vanguard icon. From the context menu, select "Exit Vanguard" or ***"Disable Vanguard"***. A pop-up will appear asking for confirmation. Click "Yes" to confirm.
Sub-heading 1.2: Ensuring Riot Client is Closed
Even if you've closed Valorant, the Riot Client might still be running in the background.
- Check Task Manager: Press
Ctrl + Shift + Escto open the Task Manager. - Look for Riot Processes: Under the "Processes" tab, look for anything related to "Riot Client," "Valorant," or "Riot Vanguard."
- End Tasks: If you find any, right-click on them and select ***"End task"***.
Step 2: Uninstall Valorant (The Game Itself)
While our primary focus is Vanguard, it's generally a good idea to uninstall Valorant first, as Vanguard is directly tied to it.
Sub-heading 2.1: Uninstalling via Windows Settings (Recommended)
This is the most straightforward method for uninstalling applications.
- Open Settings: Press
Windows key + Ito open the Settings app. - Navigate to Apps: Click on ***"Apps"***, then select "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features" depending on your Windows version).
- Find Valorant: Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find ***"VALORANT"***.
- Initiate Uninstall: Click on
VALORANT, then select ***"Uninstall"***. You may need to click "Uninstall" again in a confirmation prompt. Follow any on-screen instructions.
Sub-heading 2.2: Uninstalling via Control Panel (Alternative)
This method is similar to Windows Settings but might be preferred by some users.
- Open Control Panel: Press
Windows key + R, typecontrol panel, and pressEnter. - Go to Programs: Click on ***"Programs"***, then "Programs and Features" (or "Uninstall a program").
- Locate Valorant: Find
VALORANTin the list of installed programs. - Begin Uninstall: Right-click on it and choose ***"Uninstall"***. Follow any prompts.
Step 3: Uninstall Riot Vanguard (The Core Task)
This is the part that often requires a bit more attention due to Vanguard's deep system integration.
Sub-heading 3.1: Uninstalling via Windows Settings (Primary Method)
- Open Settings: Again, press
Windows key + Ito open Settings. - Navigate to Apps: Go to ***"Apps" > "Installed apps"***.
- Find Riot Vanguard: Look for "Riot Vanguard" in the list.
- Initiate Uninstall: Click on
Riot Vanguard, then select ***"Uninstall"***. Confirm by clicking "Yes" in the pop-up. - Restart Your PC: This step is crucial after uninstalling Vanguard. A restart allows the system to properly flush out any remaining kernel-level components.
Sub-heading 3.2: Manually Removing Riot Vanguard Using Command Prompt (For Stubborn Cases)
If the standard uninstallation method fails or you suspect Vanguard isn't fully gone, this method is highly effective.
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
- Press the
Windows key. - Type
CMD. - Right-click on "Command Prompt" in the search results and select ***"Run as administrator"***.
- Press the
- Execute Commands: In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands one by one, pressing
Enterafter each:sc delete vgcsc delete vgk- You should see a "SUCCESS" message after each command if the services were present and deleted. If it says "The specified service does not exist," that's also fine, it just means the service was already removed or not running.
- Restart Your PC: Do not skip this step. Restarting your computer is essential for these changes to take full effect and release any locked files.
Step 4: Clean Up Leftover Files and Folders (The "Deep Clean")
Even after uninstalling, some residual files and folders might remain. Removing them ensures a truly clean slate.
Sub-heading 4.1: Deleting Program Files Folders
- 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"***.
- Delete Riot Games Folder (Optional, if no other Riot games): If you don't have any other Riot Games titles (like League of Legends) installed, you can also check
C:\Riot Gamesand delete any remaining Valorant or Riot Client folders within it. - Empty Recycle Bin: After deleting, make sure to empty your Recycle Bin to permanently remove the files.
Sub-heading 4.2: Clearing AppData and ProgramData Folders
These folders often contain configuration files and cached data.
- Open Run Dialog: Press
Windows key + R. - Navigate to AppData Roaming: Type
%appdata%and pressEnter. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it if present. - Navigate to Local AppData: Open the Run dialog again (
Windows key + R), type%LocalAppData%and pressEnter. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it. - Navigate to ProgramData: Open the Run dialog once more (
Windows key + R), type%ProgramData%and pressEnter. Look for a folder named "Riot Games" and delete it.
Step 5: Optional: Registry Cleanup (For Advanced Users)
Disclaimer: Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can lead to system instability. Proceed with extreme caution and only if you are comfortable with advanced system tasks. It is recommended to create a restore point before making any changes to the registry.
While not strictly necessary for most users, cleaning up registry entries can remove every last trace.
- Open Registry Editor: Press
Windows key + R, typeregedit, and pressEnter. Click "Yes" if prompted by User Account Control. - Backup Registry (Highly Recommended): Before making any changes, go to
File > Exportand save a backup of your entire registry to a safe location. - Search for Riot/Vanguard Entries:
- Click on
Computerat the top of the left pane. - Press
Ctrl + Fto open the Find dialog. - Type
Riot Vanguardand clickFind Next. - Carefully delete any keys or values that are clearly related to Riot Vanguard.
- Press
F3to find the next instance and repeat the deletion process. - Repeat the search for
ValorantandRiot Gamesto remove any lingering entries.
- Click on
- Close Registry Editor: Once you're done, close the Registry Editor.
Congratulations! You have now performed a comprehensive uninstallation of Riot Vanguard and Valorant. Your PC should be free of its traces.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to check if Riot Vanguard is still running after uninstalling?
You can check Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) for any Riot Vanguard processes, and also look for the Vanguard icon in your system tray. If you followed the steps correctly, it shouldn't be running.
How to fix "Vanguard prevents uninstallation" error?
This error typically occurs if Vanguard is still running. Ensure you've exited Vanguard from the system tray (Step 1.1) and restarted your PC before attempting uninstallation. If it persists, use the Command Prompt method (Step 3.2).
How to reinstall Valorant after uninstalling Vanguard?
Simply download the Valorant installer from the official website. The installer will automatically re-download and install Riot Vanguard along with the game.
How to uninstall Valorant without uninstalling Vanguard?
While possible, it's not recommended as Vanguard is designed to work with Valorant. You can uninstall Valorant through Windows Settings or Control Panel, but Vanguard will remain on your system and might still run in the background.
How to use a third-party uninstaller for Riot Vanguard?
Many third-party uninstallers (like Revo Uninstaller) can help remove stubborn programs and their leftover files. Simply launch the uninstaller, select "Riot Vanguard" from the list, and follow its prompts for a complete removal, including registry entries.
How to disable Vanguard temporarily without uninstalling?
You can temporarily disable Vanguard by right-clicking its icon in the system tray and selecting "Exit Vanguard." However, you'll need to restart your PC for the changes to take full effect, and Valorant won't launch until Vanguard is reactivated (which usually happens automatically when you try to launch Valorant again).
How to resolve "Access Denied" errors during Vanguard uninstallation?
"Access Denied" errors usually indicate a permissions issue. Ensure you are running the uninstallation process (especially the Command Prompt method) as an administrator. Right-click on the program or CMD icon and select "Run as administrator."
How to uninstall Vanguard if it's not listed in Apps & Features?
If Vanguard isn't listed, it might be due to a corrupted installation or a previous incomplete uninstall. In such cases, the Command Prompt method (Step 3.2) is your best bet, followed by manual deletion of the "Riot Vanguard" folder from C:\Program Files.
How to completely delete a Riot Games account?
Deleting your Riot Games account is a separate process from uninstalling the software. You'll need to submit a ticket to Riot Games Player Support through their official website. Be aware that this will delete all progress and content across all Riot Games titles linked to that account.
How to prevent Vanguard from installing with other Riot Games?
Riot Vanguard is a mandatory anti-cheat for Valorant and some other Riot titles like League of Legends. If you install these games, Vanguard will be installed alongside them and must remain active to play. There's no official way to prevent its installation if you want to play those specific games.
