Step-by-step install and launch for Xernel. Disable Windows protection before the first run — it clears most problems.
Requirements
- Windows 10 or 11 (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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Open the Xernel Launcher download page — download the Xernel launcher
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Enter your license key on the download page and wait for license processing
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Automatic download should start within a few seconds. If it does not, click Manual Download
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The downloaded file is usually in `Downloads`. Move the Launcher to a separate folder, for example `C:\Xernel\`
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Before launch, make sure War Thunder and unnecessary overlay apps are fully closed
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Enable one game overlay used by the product:
- For NVIDIA GPUs
- For AMD GPUs
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After all steps, restart the PC. Quick way: press `Win + R`, enter `shutdown /r /t 0` and press Enter
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Manual Download button is missing
- Check `Downloads`: automatic download may have already started
- Clear browser cache
- Disable ad blocker
- Try another browser
Launch
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Before launch, close War Thunder, Steam and unnecessary overlay apps
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Run Xernel Launcher as administrator
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Enter your license key and click Activate
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In the main menu, select War Thunder and click Launch
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A launch log window will appear. This is normal. Wait for authorization to finish and for the beep
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After the beep, launch War Thunder normally through Steam
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When the game opens, press Delete in the menu or after joining a battle to open the product menu
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Do not launch the product while War Thunder is already running: fully close the game first, then launch through Xernel Launcher again
Problems & fixes
More launch tips
• Launcher will not download
• Invalid license key
• No beep after Launch
• Menu, ESP or aviation helpers do not appear
• Black screen in game
• Low FPS or lag
• Launcher freezes on authorization logs
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.
Which key opens the menu?
The menu opens on Delete (on a laptop — FN + Delete). You can rebind it inside the cheat menu.
Why is overlay required?
• Overlay is required for the product menu and visual rendering
• Keep one suitable overlay enabled: NVIDIA or AMD
• If menu or ESP does not appear, the issue is usually overlay or launch order
Do I need to do setup every time?
• System setup is usually done once
• Every launch should follow the correct order: Launcher -> Launch -> beep -> War Thunder -> Delete
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.