Step-by-step install and launch for Flamingo. Disable Windows protection before the first run — it clears most problems.
Requirements
- Windows 10 all versions or Windows 11 up to 25H2 (x64)
System requirements
Preparation
Disable Windows protection — that's enough for most systems.
Remove third-party antivirus and anti-cheats Kaspersky, Avast, ESET and the like, plus FaceIT and Riot Vanguard, conflict with the loader. They must be uninstalled, not just paused.
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Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps (or Control Panel → Programs and Features).
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Uninstall any third-party antivirus (Kaspersky, Avast, AVG, ESET, 360, Malwarebytes, etc.). Pausing or disabling is not enough — the antivirus driver stays resident.
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Uninstall the FaceIT AC and Riot Vanguard anti-cheats if present — they block third-party software at the kernel level.
- FaceIT is the CS2 anti-cheat, Vanguard is the Valorant one. If you don't play those games, they are safe to remove.
After removing an antivirus, restart the PC — some of its services only unload after a reboot.
Fully disable Windows Defender The #1 cause of "it won't launch". Disable it for real: manually first, then remove it from startup, reboot, and finish it off with Defender Control.
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Step 1. Turn protection off by hand. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and switch every toggle off:
- Real-time protection — Off.
- Cloud-delivered protection — Off.
- Automatic sample submission — Off.
- Tamper Protection — Off. Turn this one off first, otherwise the others switch themselves back on.
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Step 2. Disable reputation-based protection. In Windows Security → App & browser control → Reputation-based protection → Settings, turn everything off (SmartScreen, potentially-unwanted-app blocking).
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Step 3. Remove Defender from startup. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) → Startup apps tab, find Windows Security notification icon and click Disable.
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Step 4. Restart your computer. This is mandatory — some Defender services only unload after a reboot.
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Step 5. Finish with Defender Control. Download Defender Control (archive password: r1xon), run it as administrator and click Disable Windows Defender — the tile turns red.
- If your antivirus deletes the utility itself, protection is still active — go back to step 1. The file ships zipped on purpose so Defender can't wipe it before it's disabled.
Don't skip steps 3–4. "I turned the toggles off but it didn't help" almost always means Defender came back after restart because it was left in startup.
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Restart the system after completing all steps
Launch
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Download the loader — download from Yandex Disk (if the link does not open, use a VPN)
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Place the loader in a separate folder with a Latin-only name
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Run the program as administrator
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Enter your key and press Enter
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Wait until the console shows: `Press F2 Ingame`
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Launch Squad through Steam and enter the game
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When you are already in game, press F2 and wait for injection
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If the menu does not appear immediately, wait a few seconds and make sure the game runs in Borderless mode
Problems & fixes
The loader does not start or closes immediately
Check system preparation: remove third-party antiviruses, fully disable Windows Defender, install Visual C++ and DirectX, then restart the PC
Antivirus deletes or blocks the file
Fully disable Windows Defender and third-party antiviruses. If the file was already removed, download the loader again after disabling protection
The console does not show `Press F2 Ingame`
Run the loader as administrator, check your internet connection and try opening the loader with VPN enabled. Do not launch the game before this message appears
Injection does not happen after pressing F2
Make sure you are already in game, Squad is launched through Steam, and the display mode is Borderless. After changing the mode, restart the game and loader
Windows 11 newer than 25H2
These versions are temporarily unsupported. Use Windows 10 or Windows 11 up to 25H2
FaceIT, Riot Vanguard or a similar anti-cheat is installed
Remove conflicting anti-cheats through "Add or Remove Programs" and restart the PC before trying again
The key is not accepted
Copy the key without spaces at the beginning or end, check your keyboard layout and make sure the key is for Squad [ Flamingo ]
More launch tips
• Read the full instruction before activating your key
• This product has no ban protection and no built-in HWID spoofer
• Only the Steam version of Squad is supported
• Windows 10 all versions and Windows 11 up to 25H2 are supported
• Windows 11 versions newer than 25H2 are temporarily unsupported
• Set the game display mode to Borderless
• Intel and AMD processors are supported
• If ESP displays incorrectly, set Windows display scale to 100% and use the same resolution in game
• If the menu or ESP behaves unstably, switch the game to Borderless mode and restart the loader
• If the Windows time is incorrect, synchronize the clock in Settings -> Time & Language -> Clock sync
• Connection issues may block startup. Try opening the loader with VPN enabled
• Remember that the product has no built-in spoofer: a separate compatible spoofer is required for HWID bans
Advanced setup — only if it still won’t launch
Use a VPN for download and activation CIS ISPs often block the activation servers. A VPN is needed while downloading the loader, activating the key and injecting — you can turn it off before joining a match.
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Use a full VPN (an app that routes all traffic), not a browser proxy, VLESS or extension — half the support tickets come from exactly this.
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Turn the VPN on before downloading the loader and activating the key. If something won't load, switch country (Europe or the US usually work).
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After a successful inject you can turn the VPN off before the match to avoid extra ping.
A VPN fixes most endless-loading and "key won't activate" problems.
Update Visual C++ and DirectX Up-to-date runtimes keep the loader and overlay from crashing at start.
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Install Visual C++ Redistributable x64 and restart the PC.
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Update DirectX if you haven't in a while.
FAQ
Where do I get the key after payment?
The key arrives instantly after payment — it appears on the order page and lands in your email, and if Telegram is linked to your account, our bot sends a copy too. This guide opens from there as well.
Still stuck?
Run R1XON Checker first — it pinpoints most launch problems in 30 seconds. If it still fails, attach the checker report to your support ticket and we’ll sort it out fast.