Originally designed to prevent and bootkits —malware that loads before the operating system, making them virtually invisible to traditional antivirus software—Secure Boot stops malicious code from hijacking the boot process. A bootkit can control a PC from the very first microsecond, hiding its processes, files, and network connections from any software running inside Windows. Secure Boot ensures that only cryptographically signed, legitimate code ever reaches the kernel.
When Riot Games launched Valorant, they introduced Vanguard, an anti-cheat client that runs at the kernel level (Ring 0). This allows the software to see everything happening on your system, preventing cheats that try to hide underneath the operating system. secure boot valorant
: This often happens if the Secure Boot "Platform Keys" aren't installed. Look for an option in your BIOS that says "Install Default Secure Boot Keys" or "Restore Factory Keys." Originally designed to prevent and bootkits —malware that
Valorant’s use of Secure Boot has set a new standard. Other competitive titles like Rainbow Six Siege (with Ubisoft’s BattleEye) and Call of Duty: Warzone (with Ricochet) have begun to require Secure Boot on PC. Microsoft’s push for Secured-core PCs (which enforce Secure Boot, TPM 2.0, and virtualization-based security) will only accelerate this trend. When Riot Games launched Valorant, they introduced Vanguard,