Game doesn't start on windows 11 [FIXED]

[Darrigan]

Like the title says, the game freezes the PC when I click on play, the only way to close it is through task manager.

I investigated about this a little bit and some people said that it may be a problem with the amount of CPU cores but my CPU only has 6 cores.

UPDATE:
I found out that the game was able to work correctly if I started the PC in Safe mode. This got me thinking that the problem was caused by one of the Windows Services. So, I started disabling different services and found out that the service that was causing the problem was Device Association Service.
If it is disabled the game starts perfectly, don't know why this causes a problem my only guess is that this service is corrupted or damaged because disabling it also fixed other problems in my computer.

[-GK- Paladin]

Greets. Try verifying the game files. This happens to some games after a major Windows update etc. If that fails to resolve, update DirectX and Visual C++. Running the game on Windows 11 with an 8 core CPU, so your CPU isn't the problem.

[Darrigan]

Thanks for answering I just tried what you told me but, unfortunately, I still have the same problem.

[-GK- Paladin]

What kind of GPU are you using? (I'm running it no problem on an RTX card.) No antivirus blocking the game from launching? You could try installing the DirectX and Vcredist from the game as well. Navigate to your game in library, right click, select browse local files, then check in the install folder. You will find the DirectX and Vcredist installers. Those are the older ones, see if those install. (If installer detects newer versions then you can cancel the install process.).

[Darrigan]

I am using a RTX 2070, i tried manually installing both directX and visual c++ but nothing changed. And I opened the game with windows defender deactivated but the game still freezes

[-GK- Paladin]

Found this in a reddit post that you could try.

Hey, I got it to work on Windows 11 (21H2) .

Before it was not even starting, DOW2 (Steam) would load for a second and then just quit to desktop.

DOWII writes files in C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\MyGames.

If you are using Windows Defender do this:

head to Windows Security

click on "Manage Ransomware Protection"

untoggle "Controlled Folders" OR "Allow an app through controlled access" and select the DOW2.exe

This is the full link if you also want to look at limiting CPU cores. (I can't believe that is the problem as like I mentioned, I'm using it on an I7 10700K without limiting core use etc.) https://www.reddit.com/r/dawnofwar/comments/n77r31/dowii_cant_launch_dawn_of_war_ii_or_dowii/

[Darrigan]

I already have controlled folder disabled.

[-GK- Paladin]

Sorry, but I'm out of ideas then. There isn't much about this problem on the net either.

[Darrigan]

Ok, I will try something else later, maybe I will have more luck, Thank you anyway.

[Derrick]

Have you tried updating all of your drivers? Sound and video. I have windows 11 and it works perfectly.

[Darrigan]

Yes, I have the latest drivers

[Derrick]

The easiest thing to do is backup your files and wipe your computer.

[Darrigan]

That's what I am planning to do.

[Rimanah]

was just checking about this, same issue for me: new PC win 11 rtx 4090, 7950x

[DarkPDA]

i have issues with i7 11gen / rtx 3060 windows 11 h2, game just minimize and freeze also freezing steam/computer, only restart works

[Darrigan]

UPDATE:
I found out that the game was able to work correctly if I started the PC in Safe mode. This got me thinking that the problem was caused by one of the Windows Services. So, I started disabling different services and found out that the service that was causing the problem was Device Association Service.
If it is disabled the game starts perfectly, don't know why this causes a problem my only guess is that this service is corrupted or damaged because disabling it also fixed other problems in my computer.