If you’re a gamer, you probably know that Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter, can be a bit picky when it comes to system compatibility. After upgrading to Windows 11, many players wonder: Will Valorant run smoothly? The short answer is yes — but there are some requirements and steps you’ll need to follow.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to run Valorant on Windows 11 — from system requirements to enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, plus tips for smooth gameplay.
Why Valorant Requires Extra Setup on Windows 11
Valorant uses Riot’s anti-cheat system, Vanguard, which is very strict. To prevent cheating, Vanguard requires:
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TPM 2.0 (Trusted Platform Module)
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Secure Boot enabled
These are also core requirements for Windows 11 itself. Without them, Valorant won’t launch, even if your PC is powerful enough.
System Requirements for Running Valorant on Windows 11
Before you jump in, make sure your PC meets these basics:
Minimum Requirements
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OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
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CPU: Intel i3-370M / AMD equivalent
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RAM: 4 GB
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GPU: Intel HD 3000
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VRAM: 1 GB
Recommended Requirements
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OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)
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CPU: Intel i3-4150 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200
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RAM: 8 GB
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GPU: GeForce GT 730 / Radeon R7 240
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VRAM: 1 GB+
👉 Even if your specs are good, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot must be enabled to launch Valorant.
Step 1: Check if TPM 2.0 is Enabled
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Press Win + R, type
tpm.msc, and hit Enter. -
In the window that opens, look for TPM Manufacturer Information.
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If you see TPM 2.0, you’re good to go.
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If it says “Compatible TPM not found,” you’ll need to enable it in BIOS.
Step 2: Enable TPM 2.0 in BIOS
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Restart your PC and press the BIOS key (usually F2, Del, or Esc).
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Navigate to the Security or Advanced tab.
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Look for TPM, PTT, or fTPM (names vary by motherboard).
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Enable it and save changes.
Step 3: Enable Secure Boot
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Go back into your BIOS settings.
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Find the Boot tab.
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Locate Secure Boot and set it to Enabled.
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Save changes and reboot your PC.
💡 Tip: If your PC is set to Legacy Boot mode, switch it to UEFI mode before enabling Secure Boot.
Step 4: Install Valorant on Windows 11
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Go to the official Riot Games Valorant website.
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Download the Riot Client.
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Install the game and sign in with your Riot account.
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Vanguard (the anti-cheat software) will install automatically.
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Restart your PC when prompted.
Step 5: Launch Valorant
After rebooting:
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Open the Riot Client.
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Click Play under Valorant.
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If TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot are enabled, the game should run without errors.
Common Issues When Running Valorant on Windows 11
Error: “This build of Vanguard requires TPM version 2.0 and Secure Boot.”
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Solution: Double-check that both are enabled in BIOS.
Valorant Won’t Launch After Update
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Uninstall and reinstall Vanguard from Apps & Features.
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Restart and try again.
Low FPS or Stuttering
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Update your GPU drivers (NVIDIA/AMD/Intel).
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Enable Game Mode in Windows 11.
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Disable unnecessary background apps.
Step 6: Optimize Valorant for Best Performance
Want smooth 144 FPS+ gameplay? Try these tweaks:
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Set Valorant to High Priority in Task Manager.
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Lower in-game graphics settings (especially shadows and anti-aliasing).
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Keep Windows 11 and GPU drivers up to date.
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Enable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling in Settings > System > Display > Graphics.
Pros and Cons of Running Valorant on Windows 11
✅ Pros
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Enhanced performance on modern hardware
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Stronger security with TPM and Secure Boot
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Future-proof for Riot Games updates
❌ Cons
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More setup steps than on Windows 10
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Some older PCs may not support TPM 2.0
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BIOS settings can be tricky for beginners
Conclusion
Running Valorant on Windows 11 is absolutely possible, but it requires enabling TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Once those are set up, you can install and play the game just like on Windows 10 — with the added benefit of smoother performance and stronger system security. Think of it like unlocking a high-security vault: it takes a few extra steps, but once you’re in, the rewards are worth it.
FAQs
Q1. Why won’t Valorant run on my Windows 11 PC?
Because Vanguard requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot to be enabled in BIOS.
Q2. Can I play Valorant on Windows 11 without TPM 2.0?
No, Vanguard blocks the game if TPM 2.0 isn’t enabled.
Q3. Is Valorant faster on Windows 11 compared to Windows 10?
Performance is similar, but Windows 11 may provide smoother gameplay on newer hardware.
Q4. Do I need to reinstall Valorant when upgrading to Windows 11?
Usually, no. But if Vanguard errors occur, reinstalling might help.
Q5. Can I use a virtual machine to run Valorant on Windows 11?
No, Valorant doesn’t run on VMs due to Vanguard’s security restrictions.