Prepare your PC

Before you change anything

Use a PC you own and use for gaming. Create a Windows restore point first. The changes below are temporary: re-enable Windows protection when you finish using the release.

Windows security features

Some Windows security features can stop the launcher from loading. Change only what is listed here, and only for the session.

1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection and turn off Real-time protection and Tamper Protection.
2. If Windows Security does not let you change them, use Defender Control by Sordum: download it from the official Sordum page, run it as administrator and choose the option to disable Windows Defender. Re-enable it afterwards.
3. Open Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details and turn off Memory Integrity (HVCI). Restart when Windows asks.
4. When you finish, turn Real-time protection, Tamper Protection, Defender Control and Memory Integrity back on.

If a step does not match your Windows build, stop and ask support before changing anything else.

Update Windows and drivers

1. Open Windows Update and install the pending updates.
2. Check your PC manufacturer's tools for driver updates.
3. Press Windows key + R, type winver and note your Windows version and build. Support will ask for it.

Required components

1. Install the Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime, x64.
2. Install the Visual C++ 2015-2022 runtime, x86.
3. Install the DirectX end-user runtime.
4. Restart the PC after the installs finish.

Check for conflicting software

If start-up is unreliable, review recently installed utilities, overlays and monitoring tools. Turn them off one at a time and test after each change.

Restart and review

• Windows and drivers are up to date.
• Conflicting software has been reviewed.
• The PC has been restarted.