Guide

Vanguard asks for Windows 11 25H2. Do you need it to play VALORANT?

Many players see in Vanguard that it needs Windows 11 25H2 and fear their PC can no longer play VALORANT. That requirement is for the On Demand mode only, the mode where Vanguard does not have to run from the moment the PC starts. Riot says itself that this mode is optional and does not change whether you can play.

Updated 24 Oct 2026

What On Demand mode is

Normally Vanguard starts with Windows and runs all the time. On Demand lets Vanguard start only when you play a Riot game, but the PC must pass all of Windows' security requirements first. If it doesn't, Vanguard keeps the normal mode as before.

What On Demand needs

Windows 11 version 25H2 or newer
UEFI boot with Secure Boot on
TPM 2.0
IOMMU on in the BIOS
Virtualization based security (VBS) and Memory integrity (HVCI)

Does your PC qualify?

Right click the Vanguard icon next to the clock (VGTray). It says whether this PC can use On Demand and what is missing. Missing parts are mostly BIOS switches. To see your Windows version press Win + R, type winver and press Enter.

Not updating is fine

On Windows 10, or Windows 11 older than 25H2, you play in the normal mode as before. No need to rush an update because of this message. What Windows 11 really needs is Secure Boot and TPM 2.0. Seeing VAN 9001 or VAN 9003? See the VAN 9001 guide.

Never turn Vanguard's services (vgc and vgk) off yourself so it stops running all the time. VALORANT will not start at all. If you want it off between games, use Riot's On Demand mode.

Let Savenz Optimizer check it

The Fixes page of Savenz Optimizer has Something wrong: pick Valorant / Vanguard and it checks whether Vanguard is installed and on, whether its driver runs and, on Windows 11, whether Secure Boot is on. It only reads and changes nothing. Questions? Ask in the Discord.

What On Demand mode is

What On Demand needs

Does your PC qualify?

Not updating is fine

Let Savenz Optimizer check it

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