How to Uninstall 2XKO – Complete 2026 Guide

Are you struggling to remove 2XKO from your PC? You’re not alone. Unlike most games, uninstalling 2XKO comes with unique challenges due to Riot Games’ kernel-level anti-cheat software, Vanguard. I’ve researched extensively and compiled this comprehensive guide to help you completely remove 2XKO and all its components from your system.

Why Uninstalling 2XKO is Different?

Before we dive into the steps, let me explain why uninstalling 2XKO isn’t as straightforward as other games. The main culprit is Riot Vanguard, a kernel-level anti-cheat system that:

• Runs at the system level before Windows even boots
• Prevents modification of game files while active
• Requires special procedures to shut down completely
• Leaves behind services and drivers if not properly removed

This means a simple “Uninstall” from Windows Settings won’t cut it. You need a systematic approach to ensure complete removal.

Quick Overview: 2XKO Uninstall Process

Step	Action	Importance	Time Required
1	Close 2XKO and Riot Client	Critical	1 minute
2	Disable Riot Vanguard	Essential	2 minutes
3	Uninstall 2XKO via Settings	Standard	3 minutes
4	Remove Riot Vanguard	Required	5 minutes
5	Clean leftover files	Recommended	10 minutes
6	Remove Riot Client (optional)	Optional	5 minutes

How to Uninstall 2XKO: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Prerequisites: What You Need to Know

Before starting the uninstallation process, ensure you have:

• Administrator privileges on your Windows account
• All 2XKO-related processes closed
• At least 15-20 minutes of uninterrupted time
• Your Riot Games account credentials (if you plan to reinstall later)

Step 1: Close 2XKO and Riot Client Completely

This is the most crucial step that many users miss. If 2XKO or its components are running, the uninstallation will fail.

1. Close the game application: Make sure 2XKO isn’t running in the background
2. Exit Riot Client: Look for the Riot Client icon in your system tray (bottom-right corner)
3. Right-click the Riot Client icon and select “Exit” or “Quit”
4. Verify closure: Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and ensure no Riot Games processes are running

Step 2: Disable Riot Vanguard Anti-Cheat

Vanguard is the main barrier to uninstalling 2XKO. Here’s how to properly disable it:

Method 1: Using System Tray Icon (Recommended)

1. Look for the Vanguard icon in your system tray (red and white shield)
2. Right-click the Vanguard icon
3. Select “Exit Vanguard” or “Disable Vanguard”
4. Confirm the action when prompted

Method 2: Using Task Manager

1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
2. Go to the “Details” tab
3. Look for “vgc.exe” and “vgk.exe” processes
4. Right-click each and select “End task”
5. If you can’t end them, proceed to the manual method below

Step 3: Uninstall 2XKO via Windows Settings

Now that Vanguard and Riot Client are disabled, you can proceed with the standard uninstallation:

1. Press the Windows Key or click the Start button
2. Type “Add or remove programs” and press Enter
3. In the list of installed programs, find “2XKO”
4. Click on 2XKO and select “Uninstall”
5. Follow the uninstallation wizard prompts
6. Wait for the process to complete

Step 4: Remove Riot Vanguard Completely

Even after uninstalling 2XKO, Vanguard may still be installed on your system. Here’s how to remove it completely:

Standard Method:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “Add or remove programs”
2. Search for “Riot Vanguard” in the list
3. Click on Riot Vanguard and select “Uninstall”
4. Confirm the uninstallation when prompted
5. Allow the application to make changes to your device
6. Restart your computer when prompted

Manual Uninstall Method (If standard method fails):

1. Press the Windows Key and type “cmd”
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as administrator”
3. Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:Line WrappingCollapseCopy12sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
4. Restart your computer (this step is mandatory)
5. Navigate to *C:\Program Files*
6. Find the “Riot Vanguard” folder
7. Right-click and delete it

Step 5: Clean Up Leftover Files and Folders

For a truly clean uninstallation, you’ll want to remove all remaining 2XKO files:

1. Clean Program Files:

1. Navigate to *C:\Program Files\Riot Games*
2. Delete the “2XKO” folder if it still exists
3. Check *C:\Program Files (x86)\Riot Games* and delete any 2XKO-related folders

2. Clean AppData Files:

1. Press Windows Key + R and type “%localappdata%”
2. Look for and delete any “Riot Games” or “2XKO” folders
3. Press Windows Key + R again and type “%appdata%”
4. Delete any Riot Games or 2XKO-related folders

3. Clean Registry Entries (Advanced Users Only): ⚠️ Warning: Editing the registry can be dangerous. Back up your registry first.

1. Press Windows Key + R and type “regedit”
2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Riot Games
3. Delete the 2XKO-related keys
4. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Riot Games
5. Delete any 2XKO-related entries

Step 6: Remove Riot Client (Optional)

If you don’t plan to play any other Riot Games, you can remove the Riot Client completely:

1. Press the Windows Key and type “Riot”
2. Select “Open file location” when Riot Client appears
3. Navigate back to “Programs” at the top of File Explorer
4. Find the “Riot Games” folder
5. Right-click and delete the entire folder
6. Press Windows Key + R and type “AppData”
7. Go to “Local” and delete any “Riot Games” folders

Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Issues

Issue 1: “Cannot uninstall 2XKO – Vanguard is still running”

Solution:

1. Restart your computer in Safe Mode
2. Try uninstalling again
3. If that fails, use the manual Vanguard removal method above

Issue 2: “Access denied when deleting files”

Solution:

1. Take ownership of the files:
   • Right-click the file/folder → Properties → Security → Advanced
   • Click “Change” next to Owner
   • Enter your username and click “Check Names”
   • Click OK and apply changes
2. Try deleting again

Issue 3: “Riot Vanguard won’t uninstall”

Solution:

1. Use the manual uninstall method with Command Prompt
2. Restart in Safe Mode and try again
3. Use a third-party uninstaller tool as a last resort

Platform-Specific Information

Windows 10 vs Windows 11

The uninstallation process is nearly identical for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The only minor differences are:

• Windows 11: “Add or remove programs” is called “Installed apps” in Settings
• Windows 10: Uses Control Panel for some uninstall operations

Older Windows Versions

For Windows 7 or 8.1 users:

1. Click Start → Control Panel
2. Go to “Programs” → “Uninstall a program”
3. Follow the same steps as above for removing 2XKO and Vanguard

Complete Removal vs. Temporary Uninstall in 2026

Complete Removal (What This Guide Covers)

• Removes all game files
• Uninstalls Vanguard anti-cheat
• Deletes leftover data
• Removes Riot Client (optional)
• Best for: Permanently stopping play, freeing up space, troubleshooting

Temporary Uninstall

• Only removes game files
• Keeps Vanguard installed
• Preserves settings and data
• Best for: Freeing up temporary space, quick reinstall

Verifying Complete Uninstallation

To ensure 2XKO is completely removed:

1. Check Programs List: Press Windows Key → Type “Add or remove programs” → Search for “2XKO” and “Riot Vanguard”
2. Check Running Processes: Open Task Manager → Look for any Riot or Vanguard processes
3. Check File Locations: Verify the folders mentioned in Step 5 are empty or deleted
4. Check Services: Press Windows Key + R → Type “services.msc” → Look for Vanguard services
5. Search System: Press Windows Key and type “2XKO” → Delete any remaining files or shortcuts

Reinstalling 2XKO (If You Change Your Mind)

If you decide to reinstall 2XKO later:

1. Visit the official 2XKO website
2. Download the installer
3. Run the installer as administrator
4. Vanguard will be automatically reinstalled
5. Log in with your Riot Games account

FAQ

How do I know if Vanguard is completely uninstalled?

Check your installed programs list and running processes. If Vanguard is completely removed, it won’t appear in either location. You can also check C:\Program Files for any remaining Vanguard folders.

Why can’t I uninstall 2XKO normally?

2XKO uses Riot Vanguard, a kernel-level anti-cheat that runs with system privileges. Vanguard prevents modification of game files while it’s active, requiring special shutdown procedures before uninstallation.

Do I need to restart my computer after uninstalling?

Yes, restarting is crucial after uninstalling Vanguard to ensure all services and drivers are properly stopped and removed from memory.

Will uninstalling 2XKO affect other Riot Games?

Uninstalling 2XKO alone won’t affect other Riot Games. However, if you uninstall Riot Vanguard, it will affect all Riot Games that use it (like Valorant). You’ll need to reinstall Vanguard when playing those games.

How do I uninstall 2XKO if I can’t access Windows Settings?

You can use Command Prompt in Safe Mode to manually remove the services and files, or use a third-party uninstaller tool designed for stubborn programs.

What happens to my game data when I uninstall?

Your game progress and settings are stored on Riot’s servers, so they won’t be lost. However, local configuration files and cached data will be removed from your computer.

Can I reinstall 2XKO after uninstalling?

Absolutely! Simply download the installer from the official website and run it. Vanguard will be reinstalled automatically, and you can pick up where you left off.

Why does 2XKO leave so many files behind?

The leftover files are primarily from Riot Vanguard and the Riot Client, which are designed to persist across game installations for security and performance reasons.

2026 Pro Tips for a Clean Uninstall

1. Use Safe Mode: If you’re having trouble, restart in Safe Mode to prevent Vanguard from starting
2. Create a System Restore Point: Before uninstalling, create a restore point as a safety net
3. Use Third-Party Tools: Consider tools like Revo Uninstaller for stubborn remnants
4. Check Multiple Locations: Don’t forget to check both Program Files folders and AppData locations
5. Document Your Steps: Take screenshots or notes if you plan to reinstall later

Community Resources

For additional help and support:

• Official 2XKO Discord: https://discord.com/invite/play2xko
• Official 2XKO Twitter: @Play2XKO
• Reddit Community: r/2XKO
• Official Support: https://support-2xko.riotgames.com
• Official Wiki: https://wiki.play2xko.com/en-us

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling 2XKO might seem complicated compared to other games, but by following this comprehensive guide, you can ensure complete removal of all components. The key is to properly shut down Vanguard before attempting to uninstall, and to clean up all leftover files and services.

Remember that this process is designed this way for your security – Vanguard’s kernel-level protection helps maintain fair play in the game. While it makes uninstallation more complex, it’s a necessary trade-off for the integrity of the gaming experience.

If you run into any issues not covered in this guide, don’t hesitate to reach out to the official support channels or community forums for additional assistance.

Bookmark this guide for future reference, and feel free to share it with others who might be struggling with uninstalling 2XKO. Game on, or game off – the choice is yours!

---

This guide was last updated in March 2026 to ensure accuracy with the latest 2XKO uninstallation procedures. For the most current information, always check official Riot Games sources.