How to uninstall 2XKO (June 2026 Guide)

Uninstalling 2XKO completely requires more than just the standard Windows uninstall process due to Riot Games’ Vanguard anti-cheat system. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to permanently remove 2XKO and all its associated files from your PC.

Uninstall Method	Difficulty	Time Required	Completeness
Standard Uninstall	Easy	5 minutes	70%
+ Vanguard Removal	Moderate	10 minutes	85%
+ Manual Cleanup	Advanced	20 minutes	99%
+ Registry Cleanup	Expert	30 minutes	100%

Why 2XKO Uninstallation Is Different?

Unlike most games, 2XKO comes bundled with Riot Games’ Vanguard anti-cheat system, which operates at the kernel level of your operating system. This means Vanguard starts before Windows even boots up, making it resistant to standard uninstallation methods. The anti-cheat actively protects itself and associated game files, requiring special procedures for complete removal.

Key Challenges:

• Vanguard runs at kernel level (before Windows loads)
• Standard uninstall leaves behind residual files
• Registry entries persist after basic removal
• Multiple hidden folders in AppData locations
• System services require manual termination

Method 1: Standard Uninstall Process

This is the basic method that removes the main game files but leaves Vanguard and some residual data.

Step 1: Close All 2XKO Processes

• Exit the game completely – Ensure 2XKO is not running
• Close Riot Games Launcher – Right-click the Riot Client icon in your system tray and select “Exit”
• Disable Vanguard – Right-click the Vanguard icon in your system tray and choose “Exit”

Step 2: Standard Windows Uninstall

For Windows 10/11:

• Press Windows Key and type “Add or remove programs”
• Press Enter to open Programs & Features
• Scroll down and locate 2XKO
• Click on 2XKO and select Uninstall
• Confirm the uninstallation when prompted

For Older Windows Versions:

• Press Windows Key and type “Control Panel”
• Navigate to Programs > Uninstall a program
• Find 2XKO and click Uninstall
• Follow the on-screen prompts

Note: This method only removes about 70% of 2XKO files. Vanguard and many residual files remain on your system.

Method 2: Complete Vanguard Removal

For a more thorough uninstallation, you need to remove Vanguard separately.

Step 1: Remove Vanguard Through Windows Interface

• Press Windows Key and type “Add or remove programs”
• Locate Riot Vanguard in the list
• Click Uninstall and confirm the action
• Allow the application to make changes to your device when prompted

Step 2: Manual Vanguard Service Removal

If the standard method fails, use this manual approach:

• Press Windows Key and type “cmd”
• Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
• Execute these commands in succession:Line WrappingCollapseCopy12sc delete vgcsc delete vgk
• Reboot your computer – This step is mandatory before proceeding

Step 3: Remove Vanguard Files Manually

• Open File Explorer and navigate to *C:\Program Files*
• Locate the Riot Vanguard folder
• Right-click and select Delete
• Confirm the deletion when prompted

Method 3: Complete File Cleanup (Advanced)

This method removes all residual files that standard uninstallation leaves behind.

Step 1: Remove Riot Games Client Files

• Press Windows Key and type “Add or remove programs”
• Locate Riot Client and uninstall it
• This removes the main launcher but leaves residual data

Step 2: Clean AppData Folders

Navigate to these locations and delete the specified folders:

Local AppData:

• Press Windows Key + R and type %localappdata%
• Navigate to Riot Games folder
• Delete these folders:
  • 2XKO
  • Install 2XKO Closed Beta

Roaming AppData:

• Press Windows Key + R and type %appdata%
• Look for any Riot Games related folders
• Delete them if found

Step 3: Remove Leftover Configuration Files

Check for and delete these specific files:

• C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Riot Games\2XKO\Config\ClientConfiguration.json
• C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Riot Games\2XKO\Config\RiotClientSettings.yaml
• C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Riot Games\2XKO\Data\RiotGamesPrivateSettings.yaml
• C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Riot Games\2XKO\HttpCache\settings.json

Step 4: Clean Log Files

Remove these log file locations:

• C:\Users\%user%\AppData\Local\Riot Games\Install 2XKO Closed Beta\Logs\
• Any remaining files in C:\Users\%user%\Desktop\ related to 2XKO

Method 4: Registry Cleanup (Expert)

Warning: Editing the registry can be dangerous. Back up your registry before proceeding.

Step 1: Backup Your Registry

• Press Windows Key + R and type regedit
• In Registry Editor, click File > Export
• Save the backup file in a safe location

Step 2: Remove 2XKO Registry Entries

Navigate to and delete these keys:

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Riot Game lion.live

Step 3: Clean MUI Cache Entries

Remove these registry values:

• HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache\ (entries containing 2XKO paths)
• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\ (entries with 2XKO executable paths)

Step 4: Clean Firewall Rules

Remove any firewall rules related to 2XKO:

• TCP Query User entries containing 2xko\live\lion\binaries\win64\lion-win64-shipping.exe
• UDP Query User entries containing the same path

Troubleshooting Common Uninstall Issues

Issue 1: “Vanguard is Currently Running” Error

Solution:

• Reboot your computer in Safe Mode
• Try uninstalling Vanguard from Safe Mode
• If that fails, use the manual command prompt method

Issue 2: “Access Denied” When Deleting Files

Solution:

• Take ownership of the files:
  • Right-click the file/folder > Properties
  • Security tab > Advanced
  • Change owner to your user account
  • Check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”
• Try deleting again

Issue 3: Riot Client Won’t Close

Solution:

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
• Under Processes, find all Riot-related processes
• Right-click each and select End task
• Try uninstalling again

Issue 4: Files Reappear After Deletion

Solution:

• Check if Riot Client services are still running
• Use the manual service deletion commands
• Reboot into Safe Mode and try again
• Consider using third-party uninstaller software

Verification: Confirming Complete Removal

After following all steps, verify complete removal:

Check 1: Program Files

• Navigate to *C:\Program Files* and *C:\Program Files (x86)*
• Ensure no Riot Games or 2XKO folders remain

Check 2: AppData Locations

• Check %localappdata% and %appdata%
• Verify no Riot Games folders exist

Check 3: Services

• Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc
• Ensure no vgc or vgk services are listed

Check 4: Task Manager

• Open Task Manager
• Check that no Riot or Vanguard processes are running

Reinstalling 2XKO (If Needed)

If you plan to reinstall 2XKO later:

• Download fresh installer from official website
• Run as administrator
• Vanguard will reinstall automatically with the game
• Reboot after installation for Vanguard to initialize properly

Community Resources

Official Support

• 2XKO Support Website: Official Help Center
• Submit a Ticket: Contact Riot Games support for persistent issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 2XKO so hard to uninstall?

2XKO uses Riot’s Vanguard anti-cheat, which operates at the kernel level of your operating system. This means it starts before Windows loads and actively protects itself from removal, requiring special procedures for complete uninstallation.

Do I need to uninstall Vanguard separately?

Yes, Vanguard installs as a separate program and remains even after uninstalling 2XKO. You must remove it separately through “Add or remove programs” or manually using the command prompt method.

Is it safe to use third-party uninstaller software?

Yes, reputable third-party uninstaller software can help remove residual files and registry entries that standard uninstallation misses. However, always download from trusted sources and research the software first.

Will uninstalling 2XKO affect other Riot Games?

Uninstalling 2XKO and Vanguard will affect other Riot Games that use Vanguard, such as Valorant. You’ll need to reinstall Vanguard when playing those games again.

How do I know if 2XKO is completely removed?

Check the locations mentioned in the verification section: Program Files, AppData folders, Windows Services, and Task Manager. No Riot Games or 2XKO-related entries should remain.

Can I reinstall 2XKO after uninstalling?

Yes, you can reinstall 2XKO at any time. Simply download the installer from the official website and run it. Vanguard will reinstall automatically with the game.

What if I still see Vanguard after uninstalling?

If Vanguard remains, try the manual removal method using command prompt, or uninstall from Safe Mode. You can also contact Riot Games support for assistance.

Will uninstalling improve my PC performance?

Removing 2XKO and Vanguard will free up disk space and eliminate the kernel-level anti-cheat, which some users report improves system performance. However, results vary by system configuration.

How long does complete uninstallation take?

A basic uninstall takes 5-10 minutes, while a complete removal with file cleanup and registry editing takes 20-30 minutes, depending on your system speed and familiarity with the process.

Is there an official uninstall tool from Riot Games?

Riot Games provides official support articles and manual uninstallation guides, but doesn’t offer a dedicated uninstall tool. The methods described in this guide are based on official Riot Games documentation.

Final Thoughts

Uninstalling 2XKO completely requires patience and attention to detail due to the Vanguard anti-cheat system. While the basic uninstall process is straightforward, achieving complete removal requires additional steps to eliminate all residual files, services, and registry entries.

Remember to:

• Close all Riot processes before starting
• Remove Vanguard separately from the main game
• Clean up AppData folders and registry entries
• Verify complete removal before finishing

This comprehensive guide ensures you can completely remove 2XKO from your system, whether you’re freeing up space, troubleshooting issues, or simply moving on from the game. For persistent issues, don’t hesitate to contact Riot Games official support for personalized assistance.