[2023] Launcher and CK3.exe are broken

Ah, that is usually an antivirus app getting in the way. What antivirus app do you use? You need to make sure all these apps are in its exceptions lists:

ck3.exe (in the Steam CK3-binaries folder)
dowser.exe (in the Steam CK3-launcher folder)
C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2023.7.1/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users/{userName}/AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

IF that doesn't help, also set each of those .exe files (EXCEPT ck3.exe !) to run as the Windows Admin user.

Then the game should run from Steam/our launcher, and enable all the DLCs.


IF that still doesn't help, Right click on Documents in the left column of File Explorer, just under This PC there. Go to properties, location. What does it say in there?  

Globalbranch said: I was able to add dowser and ck3 from the team folder into my windows defende

Make sure it was in the Ransomware function in WD, NOT the firewall function, which is not involved in this issue.

Globalbranch said: When I went to locate the app data local programs paradox interactive folder there were no launchers to locate only a log text.

I think you must have gone to the wrong place. I assume you do at least see the launcher, if so it must be there somewhere. The default location is where I described, but you may have chosen somewhere else. To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

It doesn't matter what hard drive they are on. Mine are also on C: and D: and work fine.


Right click on Documents in the left column of File Explorer, just under This PC there. Go to properties, location. What does it say in there?  

Globalbranch said: when i click on c drive document it says access denied

That' a pretty serious problem! I'm really not sure what could be causing that on your machine. But you say you can get to other parts of C: okay, such as AppData? Weird!

What if you make a new Windows user on this machine and log into it with that - any better?