[2021] Cannot save game settings in CK3

I'm seeing a few of these recently across a few different games, I suspect some antivirus app has been updated and is not getting in the way. Which one do you use?

Add CK3.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list. You should add steam.exe and C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2021.6/paradox launcher.exe to that list.  

Does the file Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3/pdx_settings.txt get updated when you change the language in the launcher?  

The launcher and game both use that file to record changes like that. If you make this change in the game and it does not write it out to that file, I can only guess your AV app is preventing the game from writing to that file. You are sure you only have Windows Defender?

The launcher version thing is weird too, I have to say. If you've tried opting out of the launcher beta then you should be on 2021.6 and there would be a folder with that name, even if you went back to 2021.7.  

Please use the free utilities Ccleaner and revo Uninstaller to remove all trace of Malwarebytes - there is almost certainly some remnant of it left, I think.

For the launcher reinstall, here is my process for that:

- exit the Steam app entirely
- uninstall Paradox Launcher v2 from the Windows "Apps and features" utility, if still present.

Delete the following folders if still present:

- C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/
- C:/users//AppData/Roaming/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
To see the AppData folder you'll need to enable View Hidden Items in File Explorer.

- run steam.exe as the Windows Admin user

- run the game from the PLAY button in Steam

IF that doesn't help, in this folder are some .log files:
C:/users//AppData/Local/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2/
Please attach them here.  

No apparent errors or problems in those files. Are they from 2021.6 or the 2021.7 beta?

I'd like us to only work on the problem under 2021.6 if that's okay, as I'm beginning to suspect there's a problem with the beta causing the settings issue.

So in 2021.6 you hit PLAy in the launcher and just get the red triangle error, is that right? If so have you now located C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2021.6/paradox launcher.exe ?  

Yes please.

Assuming it does not launch the game though, make sure you have all these in the WD Ransomware Apps Allowed Through list:

ck3.exe (in the Steam CK3/binaries folder)
dowser.exe (in the Steam CK3/launcher folder)
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/launcher-v2.2021.6/paradox launcher.exe
C:/users//AppData/Local/Programs/Paradox Interactive/bootstrapper-v2.exe

Good luck!  

Unfortunately launcher logs do not record why the game does not start, only launcher issues.

All those .exe files are now in the Ransomware Apps Allowed Through list, is that right? Do you mind if we see a screenshot showing that?

If that's not the issue, try setting dowser.exe , bootsyrapper-v2.exe and Paradox Launcher.exe. to run as the Windows Admin user. And check that ck3.exe is NOT set to run as admin!  

I see no reason why the game would not start from the launcher now. Please do a full **clean** re-install:

- move any valued save games elsewhere
- "uninstall" in Steam-CK3
- manually delete both the Steam/SteamApps/common/CK3 AND Documents/Paradox Interactive/CK3 folders
- re-install game in Steam, run a Steam Verify when done.
- add CK3.exe to the exceptions list of your antivirus app; ESPECIALLY if you have Windows Defender, add it to the Ransomware "Apps Allowed Through" list.
- start the game with no mods active and test

In particular make sure there are no files or folders left under either the Steam CK3 or Documents CK3 locations, before installing again.

I hope that does it!