Crusader Kings II - No Launcher/No Start

[HunterOrdo]

On a new computer, my other paradox games like HOI4 and Stellaris work just fine, however CK2 won't start, won't even give me the launcher. It'll say 'running' for a few moments in steam and then nothing will happen. So far I've tried:

1. Reinstalling
2. Verifying files
3. Trying to run in windowed mode and launch from the .exe file
4. Tried Windows 7 Compatibility mode
5. Ensured it was white listed with security
6. Reinstalled DirectX

Nothing has worked.

 

[AndrewT]

What antivirus app do you use? Add ck2game.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

 

[HunterOrdo]

What antivirus app do you use? Add ck2game.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.

Mcafee, ck2game.exe is on the exclusion, but still refuses to launch.

 

[AndrewT]

Place the attached userdir.txt file in the same folder as ck2game.exe . It tells the game to write the settings.txt file and /logs/ folders right there instead of under the documents folder. Does that change anything, do those get created there now?

 

[HunterOrdo]

That fixed it, thank you!