Because Valorant uses a kernel-level driver, the driver must be loaded before Windows fully boots to prevent sophisticated cheats from loading first (a technique called "early boot cheat"). Consequently, the vgc service is set to "Automatic" startup. If you disable it, Valorant will refuse to connect to the game servers, returning a "Vanguard not running" error.
In this deep dive, we will explain everything you need to know about , including its critical role in anti-cheat protection, common errors, and how to troubleshoot it. vgc.exe valorant
Early in Valorant’s release (2020), vgc.exe had notorious performance issues, including memory leaks and conflicts with CPU temperature monitoring software. Today, Riot has dramatically optimized the process. Because Valorant uses a kernel-level driver, the driver
System tray (bottom right corner) -> Right-click the -> Select Exit Vanguard . Open Windows Settings -> Apps -> Installed Apps . Search for Riot Vanguard and click Uninstall . Restart your computer. In this deep dive, we will explain everything
However, Riot Games has been transparent about their intentions:
Here are the most common errors related to vgc.exe and how to resolve them.