Hey there! So, you're looking to uninstall Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software that comes with Valorant and other Riot Games. It can be a bit tricky because it runs at a deeper system level, but don't worry, we'll get through this together.
Let's dive into a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to ensure you completely remove Riot Vanguard from your PC. This isn't just about clicking "uninstall"; we'll go deeper to remove all traces.
The Ultimate Guide to Completely Uninstalling Riot Vanguard
Riot Vanguard is known for its deep integration into your system's kernel to effectively combat cheating. While this is great for game integrity, it can make uninstallation a bit more involved than your average program. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a clean removal.
Step 1: Let's Start with the Basics: Preparing for Uninstall!
Before we even touch the uninstall button, it's crucial to make sure Vanguard isn't actively running and interfering with the process. Think of it like gracefully shutting down a system before performing maintenance.
1.1 Close All Riot Games and the Riot Client:
Ensure no Riot Games are running: This includes Valorant, League of Legends, Legends of Runeterra, or any other game associated with the Riot Client. Close them completely.
Exit the Riot Client: Look for the Riot Client icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner of your taskbar, near the clock). Right-click on it and select "Exit Riot Client" or "Quit." This is vital, as the client can prevent Vanguard from being properly uninstalled.
1.2 Confirm Vanguard isn't Running in the System Tray:
Check your system tray again. You might see a small red shield icon, which is Riot Vanguard. Right-click on this icon.
Select "Exit Vanguard." A confirmation pop-up will appear. Click "Yes" to confirm that you want to turn off Vanguard. This temporarily disables the anti-cheat.
Step 2: The Standard Uninstallation – Using Windows Settings
This is the first line of defense, and for many, it's enough to get Vanguard off their system.
2.1 Access "Add or Remove Programs" (or "Installed Apps"):
Method A (Windows 10/11 Settings): Press
Windows Key + Ito open Settings. Go to "Apps" and then "Installed apps" (or "Apps & features" on older Windows versions).Method B (Control Panel - Classic Way): Press
Windows Key + R, typecontrol panel, and press Enter. Then click on "Programs" and "Uninstall a program."
2.2 Locate and Uninstall Riot Vanguard:
In the list of programs, scroll down until you find "Riot Vanguard".
Click on "Riot Vanguard" and then select "Uninstall."
Follow any on-screen prompts to confirm the uninstallation. You might be asked to grant administrative privileges – click "Yes."
2.3 Uninstall Valorant (if you haven't already):
If you're uninstalling Vanguard, chances are you're also done with Valorant. While in the "Apps" or "Programs and Features" list, locate "VALORANT".
Click on it and select "Uninstall." Follow the prompts.
Step 3: Going Deeper – Manual Removal of Services and Files
Sometimes, the standard uninstall leaves behind lingering files and services. This is where we get our hands a little dirty to ensure a clean sweep.
3.1 Disable Vanguard Services via Command Prompt:
This step is crucial for stopping Vanguard's kernel-level components.
Press
Windows Key + Sto open the search bar. Typecmd.Right-click on "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator." This is absolutely essential!
In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands, pressing
Enterafter each one:sc delete vgcsc delete vgkYou should see a
[SC] DeleteService SUCCESSmessage for each. If it says "The specified service does not exist," it means the previous uninstall steps might have already removed them, which is a good sign!
3.2 Restart Your PC:
This is a critical step after running the
sc deletecommands. Restart your computer immediately to ensure the services are fully unloaded from memory.
3.3 Delete Remaining Riot Vanguard Files:
After restarting, open File Explorer (
Windows Key + E).Navigate to the following directory:
C:\Program Files\Look for a folder named "Riot Vanguard." If it exists, right-click on it and select "Delete."
Empty your Recycle Bin.
Step 4: The Full Cleanup – Eradicating Residual Riot Files
Riot Games applications can scatter files across various hidden directories. Let's track them down.
4.1 Clean Up AppData and ProgramData Folders:
Press
Windows Key + Rto open the Run dialog.Type
%appdata%and press Enter. In the Roaming folder that opens, look for any folders named "Riot Games" or related to Valorant, and delete them.Repeat the process for:
%LocalAppData%(type this in the Run dialog)%ProgramData%(type this in the Run dialog)
In each of these locations, delete any folders named "Riot Games," "Riot Client," or related to "Valorant." Be thorough!
4.2 Check the Primary Riot Games Installation Directory:
Navigate to the common installation path:
C:\Riot Games\If you find any remaining folders here (e.g., "Riot Client," "VALORANT"), delete them.
Step 5: Optional (Advanced Users) – Registry Cleanup
This step is for advanced users and should be done with extreme caution. Incorrectly modifying the registry can lead to system instability. If you're unsure, it's best to skip this step. However, using a reputable third-party uninstaller tool (like Revo Uninstaller) can often handle this automatically and more safely.
5.1 Open Registry Editor:
Press
Windows Key + R, typeregedit, and press Enter.Click "Yes" if prompted for administrator permissions.
5.2 Backup Your Registry (Highly Recommended!):
In the Registry Editor, go to
File > Export....Choose a safe location to save the
.regfile and select "All" for the Export range. This creates a backup you can restore if anything goes wrong.
5.3 Search and Delete Riot-Related Entries:
Press
Ctrl + Fto open the Find dialog.Type
Riot Vanguardand press Enter.Carefully delete any keys or values that are clearly related to Riot Vanguard.
Repeat the search (
F3to find the next) forValorant,Riot Games, andRiot Client.Only delete entries that you are absolutely certain are related to these applications. Look for paths containing "Riot Games," "Valorant," or "Vanguard." If in doubt, leave it.
Step 6: Final Checks and System Restart
You're almost there! A final restart helps ensure all changes are applied.
6.1 Empty Your Recycle Bin:
Make sure everything you've deleted is permanently removed.
6.2 Restart Your PC (Again):
A fresh restart will ensure that any residual processes or services are completely gone.
By following these steps, you should have successfully removed Riot Vanguard and its associated files from your system. Remember, consistency and caution are key, especially when dealing with system-level software!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - How to Uninstall Vanguard
Here are 10 common questions related to uninstalling Riot Vanguard, with quick answers:
How to check if Riot Vanguard is still running after uninstalling?
You can check Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) under the "Processes" tab for "Riot Vanguard" or "vgc" or "vgk" processes. Also, check your system tray for the Vanguard shield icon. If you don't see them, it's a good sign.
How to completely remove Valorant along with Vanguard?
Uninstall Valorant first from "Add or Remove Programs," then proceed with the Vanguard uninstallation steps, including deleting leftover files and registry entries.
How to deal with "Vanguard prevents uninstallation" error?
This usually means Vanguard is still running. Ensure you've exited Vanguard from the system tray, ended any related tasks in Task Manager, and restarted your PC before attempting the uninstall again. Using the sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk commands in an administrator Command Prompt can often resolve this.
How to uninstall Vanguard if it's not listed in Add or Remove Programs?
Try using the manual sc delete vgc and sc delete vgk commands in an administrator Command Prompt, then manually delete the C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard folder. A third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller can also help find and remove stubborn programs.
How to use a third-party uninstaller for Vanguard?
Download and install a reputable uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller (free version often suffices). Open the uninstaller, find "Riot Vanguard" in the list, and choose the uninstall option (often a "Hunter Mode" or "Advanced Scan" helps find all residual files and registry entries).
How to re-enable Vanguard if I accidentally uninstalled it?
You cannot "re-enable" an uninstalled Vanguard. You will need to reinstall any Riot Game that requires Vanguard (like Valorant or League of Legends), and Vanguard will be automatically reinstalled alongside it.
How to prevent Vanguard from running at startup?
Riot Vanguard is designed to run at system startup to effectively prevent cheating. There is no official setting to disable it from running at startup without uninstalling it. If you uninstall it, it won't run.
How to uninstall Vanguard without uninstalling Valorant?
You can uninstall Riot Vanguard separately from Valorant. However, Valorant requires Vanguard to run. If you uninstall Vanguard, you will not be able to play Valorant until Vanguard is reinstalled.
How to remove Riot Client files after uninstalling Vanguard?
Navigate to %appdata%, %LocalAppData%, %ProgramData%, and C:\Riot Games\ and manually delete any remaining folders related to "Riot Games," "Riot Client," or specific games like "Valorant."
How to clean up residual registry entries after uninstalling Vanguard?
For advanced users, manually search and delete relevant entries in regedit (with a backup). Alternatively, use a trusted registry cleaner tool (like CCleaner's registry cleaner, used with caution) or a comprehensive third-party uninstaller like Revo Uninstaller which handles registry cleanup automatically.