Think of your device like a backstage crew: sometimes too many background apps are jostling for the spotlight, and your game ends up tripping over the cables. A clean boot sends everyone else offstage so only the essentials are left to run the show. It’s one of the basic troubleshooting steps you can perform to make sure no other programs are interfering with your game.
Perform a Clean Boot
- Press Windows Key 🪟 + R.
- Type msconfig into the Run dialog box and press Enter.
- Click the Services tab.
- ⚠️ Important: Check Hide all Microsoft services. Make sure this is checked before disabling anything.
- Click Disable All.
- Scroll through the list, find vgc, and check its box to re-enable Vanguard. Vanguard-reliant games will not launch if vgc is disabled.
- Click Apply.
- Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
- In Task Manager, open Startup apps (Windows 11) or Startup (Windows 10).
- Make a note or take a screenshot of the applications currently listed as Enabled so you know which ones to restore later.
- Disable each enabled startup application.
- Close Task Manager, click OK in System Configuration, then restart your computer.
Once your PC restarts, test the game again.
Still Having Issues? Check Active Services Again
Some software may continue running even after a Clean Boot. After restarting your PC, repeat the steps above to open the Services tab and check which non-Microsoft services are still active.
- Security software or antivirus: Some security software may continue running after a Clean Boot and can interfere with games. To rule this out, temporarily uninstall your antivirus or security software and test the game again.
- Networking or other software: Temporarily disable or uninstall the software and test again. Networking, overlay, capture, and other system-level applications can sometimes continue running in the background and interfere with the game or its connection.
If disabling or uninstalling a specific program resolves the issue, refer to the software provider’s documentation or contact their support team for help configuring it so it doesn’t interfere with the game or Vanguard.
Problem Solved? Identify the Conflicting Program
If the issue is resolved after the Clean Boot, a background program may have been causing the problem. Gradually re-enable the services and startup apps you disabled, restarting and testing as you go, until you identify the conflicting software.
macOS doesn’t have a direct Clean Boot feature like Windows, but you can achieve a similar result by removing background login items and testing your Mac in Safe Mode.
Remove Startup/Login Items
- Go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. If you can't find the specific directory, go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items.
- Make a note or take a screenshot of the items listed under Open at Login so you know which ones to restore later.
- Select the login items and click the Remove (-) button.
- Restart your Mac and test the game.
If the issue is resolved, add your login items back one at a time, restarting and testing after each one, until you identify the conflicting program.
Boot Into Safe Mode
If removing your login items doesn’t resolve the issue, try starting your Mac in Safe Mode. First, check whether your Mac uses Apple silicon or an Intel processor under Apple menu > About This Mac.
Apple Silicon
- Shut down your Mac completely.
- Press and hold the power button until Loading startup options appears.
- Select your startup volume.
- Hold Shift, then click Continue in Safe Mode.
- Log in and test the game.
Intel
- Turn on or restart your Mac.
- Immediately press and hold Shift until the login window appears.
- Log in and test the game.
- If prompted, log in a second time.
The menu bar should show Safe Boot when Safe Mode is active.
