A Fix for Windows 10 Blocking SH4 Executable

Hazelwood · 03-04-20, 06:07 PM

Ahoy Colleagues,

It's possible I'm the only person on the planet to have run into this problem but if any of you also have done so and are still struggling, the following may prove helpful...

Inexplicably, a couple of days ago Windows started blocking SH4.exe from execution. It would show a seriously red headlined pop-up with a warning and the disappointing advice that it would not launch SH4. This may have to do with a recent Windows security update. My anti-virus and anti-spyware confirmed no intrusions. I spent a highly frustrating day trying various Internet solutions including disabling the "hidden" UAC - all to no avail. What finally worked was to create an "elevated" shortcut with full privileges for SH4.exe, using the Task Scheduler as nicely described at the link below. There are quite a few steps but it's really easy. The author is to be commended for providing complete instructions:

https://winaero.com/blog/create-elev...in-windows-10/

This may be one of the few (or only) solutions that doesn't involve shutting down or otherwise compromising Windows security. It's specific to the application which is just what you want. The new shortcut has some mysterious useless icon but really, who cares? I'll figure out how to replace it one day.

Best wishes,
JHzlwd

03-05-20, 11:43 PM

thank you for this, im sure it will help many

progress seems to be more trouble then its worth sometimes

ironkross · 03-08-20, 10:29 PM

My windows 10 just upgraded. I had played SH4 just today. Now, using Steam, the game won't start. I don't get a warning window, or anything else. It just does not start. Other games on Steam still work. It's just SH4.

wade88 · 03-09-20, 12:31 AM

run it directly from the directory and see what happens.

ironkross · 03-10-20, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade88

run it directly from the directory and see what happens.

I tried that with same result.
SH4 1.5 with the FotRSU mod was running on steam Windows10pro 64bit OS, in the steam directory. Everything ran great, everytime. Until the last Windows update. After that SH4 1.5 would not start. However SH4 1.4 which was also on steam listed as a separate game did run.
I uninstalled 1.5 and reinstalled. Somewhere in that process I reinstalled 1.4 version. Now neither game runs. On the Steam box it says the game is running. If I click on cancel nothing happens, the cancel button remains. Task mgr shows the game exe running. I have tried since to start the exe from the directory. I have tried to run it with Windows 7 compatibility mode. No change, and it ran fine previously not in compatibility mode.

Thanks, for the response, and any further help.

ironkross · 03-10-20, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironkross

I tried that with same result.
SH4 1.5 with the FotRSU mod was running on steam Windows10pro 64bit OS, in the steam directory. Everything ran great, everytime. Until the last Windows update. After that SH4 1.5 would not start. However SH4 1.4 which was also on steam listed as a separate game did run.
I uninstalled 1.5 and reinstalled. Somewhere in that process I reinstalled 1.4 version. Now neither game runs. On the Steam box it says the game is running. If I click on cancel nothing happens, the cancel button remains. Task mgr shows the game exe running. I have tried since to start the exe from the directory. I have tried to run it with Windows 7 compatibility mode. No change, and it ran fine previously not in compatibility mode.

Thanks, for the response, and any further help.

OK, maybe it was a compatibility setting, I ran the windows troubleshooter and got the SH4 1.4 version going. DL Uboat missions now and (fingers X'd) maybe it will play. OMG this has been 2 days of stress.

ETR3(SS) · 03-11-20, 01:00 AM

Why are you running 1.4 if you have 1.5?

propbeanie · 03-11-20, 06:07 AM

It is probably actually the v1.3 of the SH4 game from Steam that they have ETR3(SS). Steam has a little "gotcha" in that the v1.5 of the game is actually a Uboat Missions Add-on, so a player has to purchase the v1.3 of the game, and the v1.5 add-on, installing both, in order to run the v1.5 of the game...it's like 2008 all over again - Ground Hog Day, etc... In either case, a Steam player like ironkross has to be careful not to install the game into the default "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam \SteamApps \common \Silent Hunter..." folder structure, and like the other versions of the game, install it into a folder of their own creation and naming, that is outside of the Windows' protection racket of a "Program Files" folder structure. In Steam, this entails creating a new "Steam Library" folder, as per Moving a Steam Installation and Games on the Steam Support site. Also, when re-installing the Steam game, a player has to make certain that the "DirectX v9.0c" and "Windows Media Codecs" are also installed, along with the Steam game, else you will not get a window for it to run in... The v1.3 of the game is basically useless to a player, and there are very few mods made for it, but is necessary to have so that the Uboats v1.5 will run, especially if a player wants to add mods to the game, since most of them are made for v1.5 only...

ironkross · 03-11-20, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propbeanie

It is probably actually the v1.3 of the SH4 game from Steam that they have ETR3(SS). Steam has a little "gotcha" in that the v1.5 of the game is actually a Uboat Missions Add-on, so a player has to purchase the v1.3 of the game, and the v1.5 add-on, installing both, in order to run the v1.5 of the game...it's like 2008 all over again - Ground Hog Day, etc... In either case, a Steam player like ironkross has to be careful not to install the game into the default "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam \SteamApps \common \Silent Hunter..." folder structure, and like the other versions of the game, install it into a folder of their own creation and naming, that is outside of the Windows' protection racket of a "Program Files" folder structure. In Steam, this entails creating a new "Steam Library" folder, as per Moving a Steam Installation and Games on the Steam Support site. Also, when re-installing the Steam game, a player has to make certain that the "DirectX v9.0c" and "Windows Media Codecs" are also installed, along with the Steam game, else you will not get a window for it to run in... The v1.3 of the game is basically useless to a player, and there are very few mods made for it, but is necessary to have so that the Uboats v1.5 will run, especially if a player wants to add mods to the game, since most of them are made for v1.5 only...

Thanks, yes this is correct. I was incorrectly referring to 1.4 when I should have said v1.3.

I had to buy the basic SH4 on Steam before I could run SH4 Uboat missions(aka v1.5). I actually had v1.5 on DVD but could not get it to run on my Windows10 pc so Steam was my only recourse. At least it was on sale.

Hazelwood · 03-12-20, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wade88

run it directly from the directory and see what happens.

No dice. Only the "elevated" shortcut works.

Best wishes,
Hazelwood

ironkross · 03-12-20, 06:21 PM

I am running SH4 right now from the Steam install, in the default Steam folder.
I have split my D drive and made a new E drive and put the new Steam library there. However, when I started reading from the link above, about moving the existing Steam folder into the new drive, that's where I get hung up. Step 3. says " Delete all of the files and folders except the SteamApps & Userdata folders and Steam.exe." This seems too extreme! There are a lot of files there. 98,498 Files, 9,123 Folders. I am very hesitant to delete everything except SteamApps and Userdata and the exe.
This is where I am, and as I said the game runs ok in the default folder.
So... how important is it to run in another drive/folder structure?

propbeanie · 03-12-20, 09:50 PM

It's not important at all if you don't use mods. The alternative method is to install the game to the new E: drive Library folder, but you might have to un-install it first. No matter which way you go, it does take a while to accomplish... that is just the nature of Steam. Those files that you delete in the "manual" method of moving everything, are re-created after the move, so you do need a lot of hard drive space. Steam stays in the Program Files folder (for the most part), but the game and necessary Steam files for the licensing are in the new Library folder.

ironkross · 03-12-20, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by propbeanie

It's not important at all if you don't use mods. The alternative method is to install the game to the new E: drive Library folder, but you might have to un-install it first. No matter which way you go, it does take a while to accomplish... that is just the nature of Steam. Those files that you delete in the "manual" method of moving everything, are re-created after the move, so you do need a lot of hard drive space. Steam stays in the Program Files folder (for the most part), but the game and necessary Steam files for the licensing are in the new Library folder.

Thanks for the info and clarification PB.

I may leave as is for awhile. I just spent 2 days just making SH4 work again. That was enough tinkering for this week!

I'll move after my current mission is over.

Sosondowah · 04-05-21, 03:20 PM

Starting today, I am encountering the same issue (see attachment). I wasn't even able to take a screenshot, I had to do a picture with my phone.

When I try to start the game normally, nothing happens and this message appears when I try to run the program as an administrator. I have the 1.5 version of the game, the "old" version, not Steam.

I've tried to take privileges, to drop security and so on, nothing helps. Did anyone found a solution for this? I mean a real solution, not a workaround.

https://ibb.co/XVsrdLP

It's funny, I am supposed to be the administrator of my PC, good or bad, but it seems there is a some big brother in a higher plane watching over my safety.

propbeanie · 04-05-21, 05:24 PM

Windows 10 and the 'modern' computing world demand a bit more of a person seeking to run 'legacy' software these days...

Read through this, and change the Properties setting of the SH4.exe file:
SH4 won't start after recent Win10 update

03-04-20, 06:07 PM	#1
Hazelwood Bosun Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Calgary, Alberta / Canada Posts: 66 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	A Fix for Windows 10 Blocking SH4 Executable Ahoy Colleagues, It's possible I'm the only person on the planet to have run into this problem but if any of you also have done so and are still struggling, the following may prove helpful... Inexplicably, a couple of days ago Windows started blocking SH4.exe from execution. It would show a seriously red headlined pop-up with a warning and the disappointing advice that it would not launch SH4. This may have to do with a recent Windows security update. My anti-virus and anti-spyware confirmed no intrusions. I spent a highly frustrating day trying various Internet solutions including disabling the "hidden" UAC - all to no avail. What finally worked was to create an "elevated" shortcut with full privileges for SH4.exe, using the Task Scheduler as nicely described at the link below. There are quite a few steps but it's really easy. The author is to be commended for providing complete instructions: https://winaero.com/blog/create-elev...in-windows-10/ This may be one of the few (or only) solutions that doesn't involve shutting down or otherwise compromising Windows security. It's specific to the application which is just what you want. The new shortcut has some mysterious useless icon but really, who cares? I'll figure out how to replace it one day. Best wishes, JHzlwd

03-08-20, 10:29 PM	#3
ironkross Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seneca, SC, USA Posts: 251 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	My windows 10 just upgraded. I had played SH4 just today. Now, using Steam, the game won't start. I don't get a warning window, or anything else. It just does not start. Other games on Steam still work. It's just SH4. __________________ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

03-09-20, 12:31 AM	#4
wade88 Swabbie Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 8 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	run it directly from the directory and see what happens. __________________ silent hunter 3/4, cold waters, command: versions, DCS et al, 32 core threadripper 3 128GB ram 8TB of sata flash, 8TB nvme flash, 2 16TB HDD's, a lot more HDD's on the lan.

03-11-20, 01:00 AM	#7
ETR3(SS) Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between test depth and periscope depth Posts: 3,021 Downloads: 175 Uploads: 16	Why are you running 1.4 if you have 1.5? __________________ USS Kentucky SSBN 737 (G) Comms Div 2003-2006 Qualified 19 November 03 Yes I was really on a submarine.

03-11-20, 06:07 AM	#8
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,911 Downloads: 444 Uploads: 2	It is probably actually the v1.3 of the SH4 game from Steam that they have ETR3(SS). Steam has a little "gotcha" in that the v1.5 of the game is actually a Uboat Missions Add-on, so a player has to purchase the v1.3 of the game, and the v1.5 add-on, installing both, in order to run the v1.5 of the game...it's like 2008 all over again - Ground Hog Day, etc... In either case, a Steam player like ironkross has to be careful not to install the game into the default "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam \SteamApps \common \Silent Hunter..." folder structure, and like the other versions of the game, install it into a folder of their own creation and naming, that is outside of the Windows' protection racket of a "Program Files" folder structure. In Steam, this entails creating a new "Steam Library" folder, as per Moving a Steam Installation and Games on the Steam Support site. Also, when re-installing the Steam game, a player has to make certain that the "DirectX v9.0c" and "Windows Media Codecs" are also installed, along with the Steam game, else you will not get a window for it to run in... The v1.3 of the game is basically useless to a player, and there are very few mods made for it, but is necessary to have so that the Uboats v1.5 will run, especially if a player wants to add mods to the game, since most of them are made for v1.5 only... __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

03-05-20, 11:43 PM	#2
Webster Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	thank you for this, im sure it will help many progress seems to be more trouble then its worth sometimes

03-12-20, 06:21 PM	#11
ironkross Lieutenant Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seneca, SC, USA Posts: 251 Downloads: 64 Uploads: 0	I am running SH4 right now from the Steam install, in the default Steam folder. I have split my D drive and made a new E drive and put the new Steam library there. However, when I started reading from the link above, about moving the existing Steam folder into the new drive, that's where I get hung up. Step 3. says " Delete all of the files and folders except the SteamApps & Userdata folders and Steam.exe." This seems too extreme! There are a lot of files there. 98,498 Files, 9,123 Folders. I am very hesitant to delete everything except SteamApps and Userdata and the exe. This is where I am, and as I said the game runs ok in the default folder. So... how important is it to run in another drive/folder structure? __________________ If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

03-12-20, 09:50 PM	#12
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,911 Downloads: 444 Uploads: 2	It's not important at all if you don't use mods. The alternative method is to install the game to the new E: drive Library folder, but you might have to un-install it first. No matter which way you go, it does take a while to accomplish... that is just the nature of Steam. Those files that you delete in the "manual" method of moving everything, are re-created after the move, so you do need a lot of hard drive space. Steam stays in the Program Files folder (for the most part), but the game and necessary Steam files for the licensing are in the new Library folder. __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna

04-05-21, 03:20 PM	#14
Sosondowah Watch Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Timișoara/România/Eastern Europe Posts: 28 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	Starting today, I am encountering the same issue (see attachment). I wasn't even able to take a screenshot, I had to do a picture with my phone. When I try to start the game normally, nothing happens and this message appears when I try to run the program as an administrator. I have the 1.5 version of the game, the "old" version, not Steam. I've tried to take privileges, to drop security and so on, nothing helps. Did anyone found a solution for this? I mean a real solution, not a workaround. https://ibb.co/XVsrdLP It's funny, I am supposed to be the administrator of my PC, good or bad, but it seems there is a some big brother in a higher plane watching over my safety. __________________ "The Dutch say we are brothers, and joined together with chains, but that lasts only as long as we have beavers; after that no attention is paid to us." Mohawk Leader

04-05-21, 05:24 PM	#15
propbeanie CTD - it's not just a job Join Date: May 2016 Location: One hour from Music City USA! Posts: 9,911 Downloads: 444 Uploads: 2	Windows 10 and the 'modern' computing world demand a bit more of a person seeking to run 'legacy' software these days... Read through this, and change the Properties setting of the SH4.exe file: SH4 won't start after recent Win10 update __________________ "...and bollocks to the naysayers" - Jimbuna