Downloading Valorant on PC is completely free and takes only a few minutes if you know the right steps. You grab a small installer from Riot Games' official site, the Riot Client handles the full game download, and Vanguard anti-cheat sets itself up in the background — no store account or credit card required.
What you need before you start
Before downloading, make sure your PC qualifies. Valorant runs on Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit only). Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported. You also need a free Riot Games account — which you can create during the sign-in step below — and around 22 GB of free disk space for the full game. On Windows 11, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 must be enabled in your BIOS for Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat, to load.
How to download Valorant on PC
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Step 1: Check your PC meets the requirements
Valorant is designed to run on modest hardware: the minimum spec is a dual-core CPU from around 2009, Intel HD 4000 graphics, and 4 GB of RAM — enough for 30 FPS. For a smooth 60 FPS you want at least an Intel i3-4150 or equivalent and a dedicated GPU like a GeForce GT 730. On Windows 11 systems, confirm that TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are switched on in your UEFI/BIOS settings, because Riot Vanguard requires both.
Minimum specs (left) run at around 30 FPS; recommended specs (right) target 60 FPS and above. -
Step 2: Go to the official Valorant website
Open your browser and go to playvalorant.com. Click the large Play Free button at the center of the page. Only download Valorant from Riot's official site — third-party mirrors can bundle malware or outdated installers.
Navigate to playvalorant.com and click Play Free to start the download process. -
Step 3: Sign in or create a Riot Games account
After clicking Play Free, the site redirects you to the Riot Games authentication page. If you already have an account — from League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, or any other Riot title — enter your Riot ID and password and sign in. New players should click Create Account, pick a username and password, and verify their email address. The account is free and shared across all Riot games.
Use an existing Riot account or create a new one for free — it takes less than a minute. -
Step 4: Download and run the Riot Client installer
Once signed in, the site offers a download link for the installer — a small executable called something like Install VALORANT.exe (under 100 MB). Save it, then double-click the file to run it. Accept the Windows User Account Control prompt and choose an install folder if asked. The Riot Client will download and install itself, then immediately start fetching the full Valorant game files (~22 GB). Download time depends on your connection speed — typically 20–60 minutes on a standard broadband link.
Double-click the downloaded installer to launch the Riot Client and begin the full game download. -
Step 5: Allow Riot Vanguard and restart
When the Riot Client finishes installing, it will install Riot Vanguard, Valorant's kernel-level anti-cheat system. A pop-up will ask you to restart your PC so Vanguard can load at boot. Click Restart Now (or restart manually). After the reboot, Vanguard runs automatically in the system tray. This one-time setup step is required — Valorant will not launch if Vanguard is not running.
Restart your PC once after Vanguard installs — this is required to play Valorant. -
Step 6: Launch the Riot Client and play
After restarting, the Riot Client opens automatically (or look for it on your desktop). Select Valorant from the left-hand game list. Once all files have been downloaded and verified, the Play button becomes active — click it to launch the game. Log in with your Riot ID inside the game, select a server region, choose a game mode such as Unrated or Spike Rush, and queue for your first match.
Hit Play in the Riot Client to launch Valorant and jump into your first match.
Useful tips
- Keep Vanguard running. Valorant will not start if Riot Vanguard is disabled or stopped. If you see a "Vanguard not running" error, right-click the shield icon in the system tray and choose Restart.
- Pause and resume. If the download is interrupted, simply reopen the Riot Client. It will resume from where it stopped — no need to start over.
- Move the install folder. During first install you can redirect Valorant to a different drive (for example an SSD). To move it later, uninstall from the Riot Client and reinstall to the new location.
- Region selection. You choose your server region the first time you log in to Valorant inside the game. Pick the region closest to you for the lowest ping.
- Low-end PCs. If your GPU struggles, set the graphics to Low or Very Low in-game. Valorant is heavily CPU-bound and runs well even on integrated graphics at reduced settings.
Troubleshooting
The Play Free button is not downloading anything
Make sure you are signed in to your Riot account on the playvalorant.com page. The download only begins after authentication. If the button still does nothing, try a different browser or temporarily disable your ad blocker.
The installer is flagged by antivirus software
Some antivirus tools flag kernel-level software like Vanguard as suspicious. If your antivirus blocks the installer, temporarily add an exclusion for the install directory, then re-run the installer. The official installer from playvalorant.com is safe.
Valorant says Vanguard is not running
Open Task Manager and look for vgc.exe under Services. If it is not there, restart your PC. If the problem persists, uninstall Vanguard from Windows Settings, then relaunch Valorant — it will reinstall Vanguard automatically.
Windows 11: "Your PC doesn't meet requirements"
Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot in your BIOS/UEFI settings. The exact menu location varies by motherboard manufacturer, but it is usually found under Security or Boot settings. After enabling both, restart and try launching Valorant again.
Frequently asked questions
Is Valorant free to download on PC?
Yes. Valorant is completely free to download and play. There are no upfront costs. The game earns revenue through cosmetic items in the in-game store, but none of them affect gameplay.
How large is the Valorant download?
The initial installer is under 100 MB. The full game download through the Riot Client is approximately 22 GB. Regular patches add a few hundred megabytes each cycle.
Can I install Valorant without the Riot Client?
No. The Riot Client is required — it manages the Valorant installation, updates, and Vanguard anti-cheat. There is no standalone installer that bypasses it.
Does Valorant work on Windows 7 or 8?
No. Valorant officially supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit) only. Windows 7 and 8 are no longer supported as of Riot's 2023 update to requirements.
How do I uninstall Valorant?
Open the Riot Client, click the settings gear next to Valorant, and choose Uninstall. This removes the game but keeps the Riot Client. To also remove Vanguard, go to Windows Settings > Apps, find Riot Vanguard, and uninstall it separately.
Ready to play
Downloading Valorant on PC boils down to four quick actions: visit playvalorant.com, sign in with a free Riot account, run the installer, and let the Riot Client finish the download. The only extra step most players hit is the Vanguard restart, which is a one-time thing. Once that is done, Valorant launches in seconds from the Riot Client and you are ready to queue up. See the official Valorant site for the latest patch notes and game updates.
