[2023] Paradox launcher will not start

Vorpaliminal said: Two days ago I encountered this problem after closing out Stellaris. When I went to launch it via the desktop shortcut it wouldn't respond, I tried it again and it flashed a small window from Steam indicating it would start, but then nothing happened. I went to my Steam app directly and used the Play button, whereupon it would start up but after about 5 seconds appear to abort the program. I have restarted my PC, tried validating the game's files, uninstalled and reinstalled the game, deleted all traces of the Paradox launcher and reinstalled it, and nothing is permanently working.

When reinstalled the launcher appears to work once, and then goes back to ignoring commands for it to start. Additionally, this one instance after reinstalling the launcher claims that an update is ready and prompts me to restart it, which appears to do nothing once more. I have attempted to run Steam as an administrator as well, to no altered effect. Stellaris can be started directly with the application to bypass the launcher, but I would rather this be resolved than bypass the underlying issue.

Most reports of this issue are on Linux but you don't mention your OS - what are you on?  

Ah, that's a different matter - the launcher no longer works on Win 7 I'm afraid. If you were at all thinking of going to Win10 or 11, now would be a good time!

Newest Paradox Launcher version 2023.14 no longer starts on Win7

I suppose this may be a WONTFIX but I wanted to report anyway. Until yesterday I was able to run every game fine on Windows 7 with launcher version 2023.13.1. Today (?) there was an update to 2023.14 and now the launcher will no longer start... forum.paradoxplaza.com

Paradox Launcher v2.2023.14 Will not open on Windows 7

Pretty much what it says. I'm aware Windows 7 is super old and is indeed slated to no longer operate Steam in the New Year, hence my shopping around for an upgrade, but it's frustrating when such an update breaks your setup without warning. After... forum.paradoxplaza.com  

Over 90% of Steam players use them, so I don't think they can be that bad!

Steam users operating systems used 2023 | Statista

As of September 2023, the most frequently used OS by users of the gaming platform Steam was Windows at almost 97 percent. www.statista.com