Riot says Vanguard’s kernel-mode driver starts with Windows to stop cheats or vulnerable drivers from compromising a PC before VALORANT’s anti-cheat can initialize. The startup behavior sparked concerns because Vanguard operates beyond the game itself. Riot says the driver does not collect or send computer information to the company, but that assurance is Riot’s own statement—not an independent security audit. Eligible systems can now use an on-demand option; players can also exit or uninstall Vanguard, though Riot games that require it will not run while it is inactive.
Why did Vanguard’s startup behavior cause anger?
Vanguard is more than a process that runs while VALORANT is open. Riot describes it as a system with three parts: a user-mode client, a kernel-mode driver and a platform. The client handles detections while a game is running; the driver validates memory and system state. Riot says the driver starts with Windows, before the game client.
That early start became the focus of the backlash. A kernel-mode driver has access to a sensitive part of the operating system, and loading it on boot means it can be active when the player is not in a match. Riot’s explanation is that waiting until the game launches would leave time for cheats or vulnerable drivers to load first.
Riot’s current technical explanation says Vanguard is meant to maintain an early trust chain and use a local blocklist of vulnerable drivers. Riot argues that a later-starting anti-cheat could not reliably detect or prevent a compromise that happened before the game client initialized. Those are Riot’s design rationale and claims, not a third-party assessment of the software.
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What has Riot said about privacy?
In its response from the Security and Data Privacy teams, Riot stated: “The driver does not collect or send any information about your computer back to us.” That is the company’s assurance about the driver’s behavior. It should not be read as independent verification that Vanguard presents no privacy or security risk.
The available Riot materials do not establish an independent audit result or third-party assessment that resolves whether the software’s permissions are an acceptable tradeoff for every player. Readers weighing the choice should distinguish Riot’s stated data-handling limits from an external security finding.
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Can Vanguard run only when you play?
Riot’s support documentation, updated June 2026, says Vanguard is normally an on-boot application, but eligible systems can use Vanguard Pre-Check for on-demand operation. Riot’s June 2026 technical update describes the goal as making the driver unnecessary at boot on systems with modern security protections.
| Mode | When the driver runs | Requirements and game access |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary boot-start mode | Riot says Vanguard normally starts with Windows, before the game client. | Riot does not list additional eligibility requirements for this ordinary mode on the cited support page. Dependent Riot games require Vanguard to be active while playing. |
| On-demand via Vanguard Pre-Check | On eligible systems, the driver does not need to start at boot and can be activated when needed. | Requires the security protections specified by Riot for the system. Riot’s support and technical pages provide current eligibility details; the option is not described as available to every PC. Game access still requires Vanguard to be active. |
Riot says the earlier boot-time requirement addressed the possibility that a vulnerable driver or cheat could load before the game and evade an anti-cheat that started later. The on-demand option is therefore conditional rather than a universal switch for all computers.
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Can you turn Vanguard off or uninstall it?
Yes. Riot provides options to exit Vanguard from its system-tray icon or uninstall it through the tray or Windows Settings. The practical tradeoff is access: Riot says most games launched through its client will not start without Vanguard. Launching a game that depends on it reinstalls Vanguard after removal.
- To exit: Open the Windows system tray, right-click the Vanguard icon and choose the exit option.
- To uninstall from the tray: Open the Vanguard system-tray menu and choose the uninstall option.
- To uninstall in Windows: Open Settings, go to Apps and uninstall Riot Vanguard.
Because Vanguard normally starts at boot, returning to VALORANT after disabling it may require restarting the PC so the anti-cheat is active again. Follow Riot’s current support instructions if the available menu labels differ on your system.
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What did Riot say about third-party apps?
On February 7, 2024, Riot said it expected around 1% of third-party applications to be affected by Vanguard, and stated: “External tools reading memory will not be allowed.” The 1% figure was Riot’s estimate at that date, not a verified current compatibility measurement. It does not establish what proportion of apps are affected now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the response does—and does not—settle
Riot’s response explains why it chose a boot-start driver, describes its privacy position and provides a conditional path to on-demand operation for systems that meet its security requirements. It does not, by itself, independently validate those claims or settle whether a kernel-mode anti-cheat is a risk a particular player is willing to accept. Players can choose whether to keep Vanguard installed, use the on-demand option if eligible, or go without it and forgo games that require the software.
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