Riot Games launches Vanguard On-Demand: Ending anti-cheat software from starting with Windows.
The Vanguard: On-Demand update allows Riot Games' anti-cheat driver to only activate when the player opens the game. This change effectively addresses complaints about the software constantly running in the background and consuming system resources.
After a long period of receiving mixed reviews, Riot Games has officially rolled out a major update called Vanguard: On-Demand. This is a technical solution that allows the company's anti-cheat driver to stop automatically launching when the computer starts up (boot), instead only activating when the user plays games like Valorant or League of Legends.
Vanguard's operating mechanism: On-Demand
Vanguard: On-Demand marks a shift in Riot Games' security strategy. Previously, Vanguard was known for its kernel-level operation (ring 0) and always running in the background from the moment the computer was turned on, raising concerns about privacy and performance. With the new update, this driver will only run during the game session and automatically close completely after the player exits the game.
Philip Koskinas, Director of Anti-Cheat at Riot Games, shared in an official announcement on June 24, 2026: "Vanguard will begin supporting on-demand sessions on all fully secured PCs. This means the Vanguard driver component will no longer launch at system startup, freeing up space in your system tray."
Technical requirements to enable On-Demand mode
While a worthwhile improvement, not every computer can utilize this feature immediately. According to Riot's data, currently only about 35% of players meet the stringent security standards to automatically enable On-Demand mode. To ensure the integrity of the competitive environment without constantly running in the background, the system requires advanced hardware and software protection layers.
Users wishing to switch to this mode must ensure the following specifications are met:
- Operating system: Windows 11 version 25H2 or later.
- Hardware security: Enable Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.
- System features: Virtualization-Based Security (VBS), Hypervisor-Protected Code Integrity (HVCI), and IOMMU.
For the remaining 65% of players, the Vanguard Tray (VGTray) app will provide a detailed checklist and instructions so users can set up the security features themselves to qualify for On-Demand mode.
Impact on the player community
Riot Games' report indicates that only about 3% of users with outdated hardware will be forced to maintain the "always-on" mode as before if they want to continue playing the game. On-Demand mode is completely optional and does not restrict game access for those who do not meet the technical requirements.
| Parameter | Player ratio | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible now | 35% | Modern computers with built-in security features. |
| Further configuration is required. | 65% | TPM 2.0, VBS, and HVCI need to be manually enabled. |
| Not supported | 3% | Older hardware requires the use of Always-on display. |
This move by Riot Games is seen as an attempt to appease criticism about the intrusiveness of its anti-cheat software, while also leveraging Windows' inherent security features to maintain effectiveness in preventing hackers.
