How to Download & Install Riot Vanguard [Windows 11]
If you are planning to play competitive titles like Valorant, you will need Riot Vanguard, Riot Games’ anti-cheat system. On Windows 11, Vanguard is not optional. It is mandatory to launch supported Riot titles. Without it, the game simply will not run.
Riot Vanguard works at the kernel level, which means it starts with Windows and monitors for cheating software. Because Windows 11 includes additional security requirements such as Secure Boot and TPM 2.0, the installation process can sometimes raise questions or errors. That is why understanding each step matters.
In this guide, you will learn how to properly download, install, verify, and troubleshoot Riot Vanguard on Windows 11. By the end, you will know exactly how it works and what to do if something goes wrong.
Let’s begin.
How to Install & Download Riot Vanguard [Windows 11]
To install Riot Vanguard on Windows 11, download a Riot Games title such as Valorant, run the installer, allow Vanguard to install automatically, restart your PC when prompted, and verify that the Vanguard service is running from the System Tray or Windows Services. Riot Vanguard installs alongside supported Riot games and requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 enabled on Windows 11 systems.
Step 1: Check Windows 11 Compatibility and Security Requirements
Before installing Riot Vanguard, you must confirm that your system meets the requirements. Windows 11 enforces stricter security rules compared to Windows 10, and Vanguard depends on those protections.
First, ensure that you are running a genuine and updated version of Windows 11. To check, open Settings, go to System, then click About. Verify that your Windows version is up to date.
Next, confirm that Secure Boot is enabled. Riot Vanguard requires Secure Boot to function correctly on Windows 11. To check this:
Open the Start menu and type “System Information.” Press Enter. In the System Summary panel, look for “Secure Boot State.” It should say On.
You also need TPM 2.0 enabled. Press Windows key plus R, type tpm.msc, and press Enter. If you see “TPM is ready for use” and Specification Version shows 2.0, you are good to go.
If Secure Boot or TPM is disabled, you will need to enable them from your BIOS or UEFI firmware settings. This usually involves restarting your PC and pressing a key such as F2, F10, Delete, or Esc during boot.
Why does this matter? Because many Vanguard errors on Windows 11 are directly linked to these two settings. Getting this right now will save you time later. Once everything checks out, you are ready for the next step.
Step 2: Download a Riot Game That Includes Riot Vanguard
You cannot download Riot Vanguard as a standalone installer from an official page. Vanguard installs automatically when you install a supported Riot title, most commonly Valorant.
Visit the official Riot Games website and navigate to the download page for Valorant. Click the download button and save the installer file to your PC.
Once the file is downloaded, double-click the installer to begin the setup process.
The Riot Client will begin downloading the necessary game files. During this process, the system will also prepare to install Riot Vanguard. You may see a prompt asking for administrative permissions. Click Yes to continue.
At this stage, many users wonder whether Vanguard is safe. Riot designed Vanguard specifically for competitive integrity, and it operates at a low level within the system. It launches when Windows starts, but it does not interfere with normal tasks.
As the installer progresses, you will notice that the Vanguard installation happens in the background. The process is automatic. You do not need to search for a separate download link.
When installation completes, you will likely be prompted to restart your PC. This is not optional. Restarting ensures Vanguard loads properly at boot.
Curious about what happens if you skip the restart? That leads to launch errors, and the game will refuse to start. So go ahead and restart to move forward smoothly.
Step 3: Restart Your PC to Activate Riot Vanguard
After installation, Windows 11 must reboot to activate Riot Vanguard. Because Vanguard operates at the kernel level, it needs to initialize before other applications load.
Click Restart when prompted.
When your PC boots back up, Vanguard should automatically start with Windows. You may notice a small red shield icon in the system tray. That icon confirms that Vanguard is active.
If you do not see the icon, do not panic yet. Press Ctrl plus Shift plus Esc to open Task Manager. Go to the Services tab and look for vgc. Its status should show as Running.
If it is not running, right-click it and choose Start.
This step is critical. Without the Vanguard service running, you will encounter error messages such as “Vanguard not initialized” or “Secure Boot requirement not met.”
Now that Vanguard is active, you are one step away from launching your game successfully.
Step 4: Launch the Riot Client and Verify Installation
Open the Riot Client from your desktop or Start menu. Log in using your Riot account credentials.
Select Valorant and click Play.
If everything is configured correctly, the game will launch without errors. This confirms that Riot Vanguard is installed and functioning properly.
If you receive an error such as VAN 9001 or VAN 9003, it usually indicates a Secure Boot or TPM issue. In that case, revisit Step 1 and verify that those settings are enabled.
At this point, you may be wondering how to double-check Vanguard’s installation files. You can navigate to:
C:\Program Files\Riot Vanguard
If the folder exists and contains files, Vanguard is installed.
But what if you want to uninstall or reinstall it later? Let’s look at that next.
Reinstall Riot Vanguard if You Encounter Errors
Sometimes installation issues occur due to corrupted files or interrupted downloads. In that case, reinstalling Riot Vanguard can fix the issue.
Open Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
Find Riot Vanguard in the list of installed programs. Click Uninstall.
After uninstalling, restart your PC.
Then launch Valorant again from the Riot Client. The system will automatically prompt you to reinstall Vanguard. Follow the instructions and restart once more.
Reinstallation often resolves errors related to driver conflicts or incomplete updates.
If problems continue, ensure that Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software is not blocking Vanguard. Temporarily disabling such software can help confirm whether it is interfering.
Would you like to know how Vanguard interacts with system startup and whether it affects performance? Let’s address some common concerns next.
Faqs
What is Riot Vanguard, and why is it required on Windows 11?
Riot Vanguard is Riot Games’ anti-cheat system. It prevents cheating software from manipulating competitive matches in games like Valorant. On Windows 11, Vanguard requires Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 to maintain a trusted system environment.
Can I download Riot Vanguard without installing Valorant?
No. Vanguard installs automatically when you install a supported Riot game. There is no official standalone download page for Vanguard.
Does Riot Vanguard slow down Windows 11?
In most cases, Vanguard does not noticeably impact system performance. It runs in the background and activates primarily when a Riot game is launched.
How do I fix the VAN 9003 error?
The VAN 9003 error usually indicates that Secure Boot is disabled. Enter your BIOS or UEFI settings and enable Secure Boot. Save changes and restart your PC.
Is Riot Vanguard safe?
Riot states that Vanguard is secure and designed specifically to prevent cheating. It runs at a kernel level, which gives it deep system access, but it is digitally signed and regularly updated.
How do I disable Riot Vanguard temporarily?
Right-click the Vanguard icon in the system tray and select Exit Vanguard. Keep in mind that you must restart your PC before launching Valorant again.
Why does Vanguard start with Windows?
Because it operates at a low system level, it must initialize during startup to ensure no unauthorized programs load before it.