I got a new PC and tried to install V3. The game downloads fine, and can run through victoria3.exe, but the launcher will not install correctly, giving an error each time I attempt to launch V3 through the steam app. I've attached screenshots of the error I get when I hit "Play" in steam, and the error I get when I try to install via the backup installer that runs after the first error. I've tried deleting the launcher files and launching the steam app as admin and trying to install again that way, but the launcher install always fails again. I've attached the logs here.
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Please try these Windows repair tools:
.NET
support.microsoft.com
SCANNOW:
support.microsoft.com
If they dont help, attach here new copies of those log files, thanks.
.NET
Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool is available - Microsoft Support
Describes the .NET Framework Repair Tool and how to obtain it.
support.microsoft.com
SCANNOW:
Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files - Microsoft Support
Describes how to use the System File Checker tool to troubleshoot missing or corrupted system files in Windows.
support.microsoft.com
If they dont help, attach here new copies of those log files, thanks.
Unfortunately, neither of these changed anything (although the error messages were slightly different).
I've included the new error messages and the new logs.
edit: Apologies for not quoting, but quoting your message caused me to not be able to post it due to the spam filter.
I've included the new error messages and the new logs.
edit: Apologies for not quoting, but quoting your message caused me to not be able to post it due to the spam filter.
Attachments
Are you on Win11? We've seen that .tmp error a few times there, when that c:\windows\installer\ folder simply doesn't exist.
Make a new WIndows user on that machine and log into it with that - do you get the same error?
Make a new WIndows user on that machine and log into it with that - do you get the same error?
I am indeed on Win11, and making a new user and switching to them did not help unfortunately.
Then those repair utils ought to have fixed matters. Not really sure what to suggest to be honest!
DXDIAG is a program you run from the Windows search box on the task bar. After running it will open a window and start collecting info with a progress bar in the lower-left corner. When it completes click the 'save all information' button and save it to a file then attach that file here.
Note you can start the game with Victoria3.exe directly, which bypasses the launcher.
Sure thing, I've attached it here. I am aware that I can start the game via the exe, but it makes a lot of things, like using mods or debug mode, a lot more difficult.
edit: and yeah, there is no "installer" folder in my windows folder.
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Win11 Education edition ... I wonder if that is something to do with it? Maybe it's lacking some facility or feature the launcher is expecting? I'll bet our games and launcer are not tested on that edition.
Quite how to see if that is the issue I do not know; I can't see a clear description on any MS site of what is different or lacking in it. I know the Windows N and KN editions lack a media pack that has to be separately installed, for instance.
Quite how to see if that is the issue I do not know; I can't see a clear description on any MS site of what is different or lacking in it. I know the Windows N and KN editions lack a media pack that has to be separately installed, for instance.
I'll definitely see if there is anything like that. I've been trying to find anything that might include the necessary components.
edit: I did end up finding a windows/installer folder after all, it was just hidden in a way I couldn't see even with all my settings swapped.
Looks like the launcher installer is having a similar problem accessing it. I take it just turning on View Hidden Items in File Explorer was not enough? What else did you have to do to see it?
Yeah, turning on hidden files was insufficient, but I was able to navigate there by entering the path into an explorer window, so it feels like the installer shouldn't have any problems with it.
That said, when I tried launching it again today the launcher was able to install without issue, so the problem has resolved itself. Can't see anything particularly different this time, but it ended up working.
This is what worked for me.
PROBLEM: With my Paradox games (HOI4, CK3, Stellaris, etc.) freshly installed in Steam on my new Win11 Pro machine, and clicking PLAY to start any of the games, the launcher would try to install but threw an error about a temp file not being a valid Win32 application. This prevented the Paradox Launcher v2 from fully installing and the game would not start.
SOLUTION: tl;dr - Set "dowser.exe" to run as administrator only. Start your Paradox game(s) so that the launcher fully installs. Then set dowser.exe back to normal.
In Steam, I picked just one of the games (CK3 in my case, but I don't think it matters) and went to "Manage > Browse local files" and then looked for the "dowser.exe" (which may or may not be buried in a subfolder, depending on the game). In Properties of that file (under Compatibility tab) I set it to "Run this program as an administrator". After clicking Play to start that game (CK3 in my case), the launcher installed and I could play that game and all the others (without needing to change their dowser.exe files). Most of the games still continued to throw some minor errors or access popups related to either Windows protections or Steam access issues. But I went back to the dowser.exe file that I had changed, and cleared the administrator start. After that, all games started without errors, as expected.
PROBLEM: With my Paradox games (HOI4, CK3, Stellaris, etc.) freshly installed in Steam on my new Win11 Pro machine, and clicking PLAY to start any of the games, the launcher would try to install but threw an error about a temp file not being a valid Win32 application. This prevented the Paradox Launcher v2 from fully installing and the game would not start.
SOLUTION: tl;dr - Set "dowser.exe" to run as administrator only. Start your Paradox game(s) so that the launcher fully installs. Then set dowser.exe back to normal.
In Steam, I picked just one of the games (CK3 in my case, but I don't think it matters) and went to "Manage > Browse local files" and then looked for the "dowser.exe" (which may or may not be buried in a subfolder, depending on the game). In Properties of that file (under Compatibility tab) I set it to "Run this program as an administrator". After clicking Play to start that game (CK3 in my case), the launcher installed and I could play that game and all the others (without needing to change their dowser.exe files). Most of the games still continued to throw some minor errors or access popups related to either Windows protections or Steam access issues. But I went back to the dowser.exe file that I had changed, and cleared the administrator start. After that, all games started without errors, as expected.