GFWL (A step-by-step tutorial)

[Zeitgeist2505]

This tutorial strictly explains GFWL issues that may help with signing-in.
* This tutorial DOES NOT explain CD KEY problems.
** This tutorial DOES NOT explain Rockstar's Social Club problems.

1. Download GFWL client
http://www.xbox.com/en-IE/Live/PC/DownloadClient
** This is to ensure you are able to sign in to one of the most important parts of playing GTAIV.
Also. It won't waste as much time as if you were to download GTAIV only to find out signing-in doesn't work; preventing frustration.

2. Install GFWL client and attempt to sign-in.
- If you were successful in signing in then Proceed to step 5.

3. GFWL Sign-in failed (THROW / 80254002 errors)
- Using Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge Browser go to http://www.xbox.com and sign-in using the same account you are attempting to sign into GFWL client.
-- This is to ensure the GFWL and your Microsoft account "Verify" your computer (kind of the same way the Steam Client verifies computer access by sending a code to your e-mail/phone).
*Alternatively you may setup a new account by going to www.outlook.com
**Note: Passwords may contain Numbers, Capital Letters, and Symbols.
However. If creating a new account you might want to keep it simple.

4. While signed into xbox.com attempt to sign into GFWL client.
- Alternatively you may try to sign into the xbox or Store app (Windows 10) and then sign-in to the GFWL client.
*While signed-in to xbox.com make sure you have full features of your profile, try changing your avatar/picture and your Displayed name.

5. GFWL sign-in succeeded.
- Upon being able to sign into GFWL proceed to download GTAIV.

6. GTAIV installed/Running.
- After installing GTAIV and launching for the first time steam should download the necessary packages needed to play GTAIV.
(These packages include: DirectX, C++ Redistribution 2005, and .Net Framework 2.5)
-- Upon starting GTAIV; GFWL will prompt for a sign-in (within game).
* Make sure you allow GTAIV to have both 'Private' and 'Public' internet access when prompted (usually appears as the game is starting).
** At this point you may not need to be signed-in using the GFWL client that was downloaded in step 1.

7. GTAIV GFWL Sign-in.
- Before Play; Sign-in to GFWL within GTAIV and follow the prompts and update (After successful CD Key entry)
-- Make sure to restart the game (before Playing) to complete GFWL update.

8. Game Restart/GFWL updated.
- Upon restarting GTAIV sign-in to GFWL (within GTAIV) and make sure to check the 'Automatically sign-in to GFWL'.
-- Patience; wait for GFWL to procure your account and complete (may take several minutes).

9. GFWL sign-in complete.
- You are now ready to play GTAIV.
--Enjoy.

10. Cleaning up (Optional).
- If all went well and the game is playing you may now uninstall GFWL client from step 1.
* NOTE: Make sure you do not uninstall the 'Games For Windows - Live redistribution' package.

--------------------------------------------

Final thoughts about GFWL.
GFWL is not dead, it simply changed names to xbox(live), it is my understanding that Microsoft updated their GFWL to (xbox)LIVE so that all microsoft accounts, such as

@hotmail, @live, or @outlook, accounts can access all of microsoft features both on the web and within applications.
If GFWL was completely dead then no one would be able to play these older titles which still contain GFWL.
As we can see; many people are still able to sign-in to GFWL (Myself included) and play on(off)line within GFWL games.

Disclaimer:
These are the steps that I found, myself, which were able to allow me to sign-in and play GTAIV (on Windows 10).
Your experiences may vary, therefore some or all of these steps may not work.

I hope this tutorial helps, even if taking your thinking in a new direction.


---------------------------
Disclaimer:
I don't claim to have all the answers to getting this game (GTAIV/EFLC) working.
This guide was written in the hopes that others might be as lucky as I was with getting GFWL working and the game playable.

My sincerest appologies to those whom I can not help.

However. All is not lost.
These forums are a plethora of information and, along with google, may help in the quest for obtaining playability.

[SoldierScar]

or download x liveless, put one file to the game directory and whoala, gfwl no longer exists. (multiplayer in IV sucks anyway)

[Zeitgeist2505]

Originally posted by SoldierScar:

or download x liveless, put one file to the game directory and whoala, gfwl no longer exists. (multiplayer in IV sucks anyway)

I couldn't get that to work on my machine, it kept throwing errors.
Plus. This way you can at least still play online and/or get the achievements if wanted.

[Ashley]

when i try to launch the client, it just says, "Windows cannot find C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games for Windows -LIVE\Client\GFWLive.exe" And then it tells me to type the name correctly.

[Zeitgeist2505]

Originally posted by Fox Mccloud:

when i try to launch the client, it just says, "Windows cannot find C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games for Windows -LIVE\Client\GFWLive.exe" And then it tells me to type the name correctly.

Sounds like a redirect error or perhaps the exe file is missing (not installed properly).
Go into the actual directory where the GFWL client was installed and try to launch GFWL from there, if it works then simply create a shortcut to the desktop for the time being.
Also. You may need all of the .Net frameworks within the 3.5 packs, C++ redistribution 2005, and DirectX installed.

[Magnet's Coil]

Thank you! It worked fine. I even did not have any issue with the serial and playing online like some people had.

[Zeitgeist2505]

Originally posted by Magnet's Coil:

Thank you! It worked fine. I even did not have any issue with the serial and playing online like some people had.

Glad to hear

[IAMCHEVY24]

error retrieving purchase history

[QBxtron69]

Please, help! When I sucessfully login to GFWL, it needs Steam Product Key (not Steam Activation Key). OK, I insert the key but after loading it say product key is invalid (or something). What can I do with this?

[Zeitgeist2505]

Originally posted by $n0wM@N:

error retrieving purchase history

If you purchased GTAIV from Steam it will not show up as a purchase from Microsoft; GTAIV should still show up as you having the game so it can mark all the achievements through GFWL, since GFWL controls the achievements and not Steam for this game.

Originally posted by xXx_RektnutyKubajz_xXx:

Please, help! When I sucessfully login to GFWL, it needs Steam Product Key (not Steam Activation Key). OK, I insert the key but after loading it say product key is invalid (or something). What can I do with this?

I won't be much help since I have never had a problem with CD Key verification.

1. You can find your CD key by Right clicking GTAIV from the Library and then clicking 'View CD KEY'.

2. Make sure you are imputting the CD key correctly.

3. Try searching 'CD Key verification problems' either on this forum or using google.

Please Note:
"This tutorial strictly explains GFWL issues that may help with signing-in.
* This tutorial DOES NOT explain CD KEY problems.
** This tutorial DOES NOT explain Rockstar's Social Club problems."

[Weert Gilders]

Originally posted by Riftwalker:

Originally posted by SoldierScar:

or download x liveless, put one file to the game directory and whoala, gfwl no longer exists. (multiplayer in IV sucks anyway)

I couldn't get that to work on my machine, it kept throwing errors.
Plus. This way you can at least still play online and/or get the achievements if wanted.

how do you still go online

[Zeitgeist2505]

Originally posted by MickeyMouse:

Originally posted by Riftwalker:

I couldn't get that to work on my machine, it kept throwing errors.
Plus. This way you can at least still play online and/or get the achievements if wanted.

how do you still go online

Through the Rockstar Social Club login screen, start the game then pull up the phone and go to the Multiplayer option. There you will be able to create your own avatar and then join an online match or free roam.

[SilentSpartan]

Your guide worked for me with no issue. Thanks a lot. I'm using Win 10 Enterprise N BTW

[IAMCHEVY24]

Originally posted by Riftwalker:

Originally posted by $n0wM@N:

error retrieving purchase history

If you purchased GTAIV from Steam it will not show up as a purchase from Microsoft; GTAIV should still show up as you having the game so it can mark all the achievements through GFWL, since GFWL controls the achievements and not Steam for this game.

Originally posted by xXx_RektnutyKubajz_xXx:

Please, help! When I sucessfully login to GFWL, it needs Steam Product Key (not Steam Activation Key). OK, I insert the key but after loading it say product key is invalid (or something). What can I do with this?

I won't be much help since I have never had a problem with CD Key verification.

1. You can find your CD key by Right clicking GTAIV from the Library and then clicking 'View CD KEY'.

2. Make sure you are imputting the CD key correctly.

3. Try searching 'CD Key verification problems' either on this forum or using google.

Please Note:
"This tutorial strictly explains GFWL issues that may help with signing-in.
* This tutorial DOES NOT explain CD KEY problems.
** This tutorial DOES NOT explain Rockstar's Social Club problems."

so what should i do next

[Empirekicking]

I went thought all the steps and when I open up GFWL after I sign in from xbox account I get messge saying that I need to install Windows live ID Sign-in Assistant and it won't install

[PEN 15]

So I did everything but when the game starts to load after I click play I'm met with an endless loading screen. Is there a way i can fix this?