Civ V Stuck "Updating Executable" Windows 10

[swinginman]

This issue has been reported by several users and it preventing them from launching Civ V. Steam will get stuck "Updating Executable" and be unable to launch. I personally have tried verifying game files, reinstalling the game, and reinstalling Steam multiple times. I have even tried completely reinstalling Windows. Nothing works, I also confirmed it happens on two separate computers. To my understanding, something has to be wrong on Steams end and nothing can be done. Some people's games are still working, I am not sure why but I would advise they don't reinstall as that may break it.

If you really want to play the game right now, the Linux version still works. I would recommend setting up Pop_OS on a virtual machine or a spare drive. Saves are cross compatible, you can copy them to ~/.local/share/Aspyr/Sid Meier's Civilization 5/Saves

EDIT: Try setting "My Docuemnts" to NOT read only. This worked for me on my Laptop. No clue why that directory was set to read only in the first place...

[Dr.Strangelove]

The way I fixed this was by going to the CivV steam installation folder>Properties> Clicking "Read Only" to off on the entire folder. Game launches fine now.

[B0RIS]

People read the damn thread before commenting, this is a total echo chamber at this point.

[Adam Jensen 007]

polarnomad님이 먼저 게시:

I had this problem yesterday. Verifying file integrity eventually cured it, though I had to do it a few times and then wait until it finishes updating executable.

Oh, I also discovered that my steam folder was set to "read only". I deselected that. Not sure if it helped.

I'm on windows 11.

Mine is selected read only as well

[B]

The read only thing doesn't matter. Every folder in common is set read only.

I tried every option in here and none of them worked. The only thing that worked for me was uninstalling my nvidia gpu driver.

[Adam Jensen 007]

B님이 먼저 게시:

The read only thing doesn't matter. Every folder in common is set read only.

I tried every option in here and none of them worked. The only thing that worked for me was uninstalling my nvidia gpu driver.

wouldn't that lower your graphics card

[B]

Adam Jensen 007님이 먼저 게시:

B님이 먼저 게시:

The read only thing doesn't matter. Every folder in common is set read only.

I tried every option in here and none of them worked. The only thing that worked for me was uninstalling my nvidia gpu driver.

wouldn't that lower your graphics card

You only need to do this for the first run. You install the drivers again after.

[Adam Jensen 007]

B님이 먼저 게시:

Adam Jensen 007님이 먼저 게시:

wouldn't that lower your graphics card

You only need to do this for the first run. You install the drivers again after.

sorry how do you uninstall then install again I know I am a noob xd

[Accvad]

The XCOM community found a solution. Someone contacted 2K support and suggested this method, which worked for me, though I can't guarantee it will work for everyone.
1) Press Win+R to open the Run dialog.
2) Type steam://flushconfig and press Enter.

You may need to reboot, but I didn't. The "update executable" message disappeared, and I was able to open the game.

source: https://steamcommunity.com/app/200510/discussions/0/4631483020295095043/

[kensw]

" Starting on November 18, we will begin sunsetting the 2K launcher. Supported games on Steam and Epic Games Store will receive a patch that removes the launcher. We'll share an update once the removal is complete. "

I hope this helps everyone having problems - We can hope.

[lelelelelelelelelelelelelelele]

Having the same problem on the deck out of nowhere, nothing seems to work.
Is that flushconfig command available for deck?

[L0CK0N]

Seems like theres been an update or something pushed. If not, I opened Civ 6, closed it and Civ 5 started working for me again.

[ghm6105]

it worked out of nowhere by changing nothing but failed again later when i installed the community patch.

[Brakier]

polarnomad님이 먼저 게시:

I had this problem yesterday. Verifying file integrity eventually cured it, though I had to do it a few times and then wait until it finishes updating executable.

Oh, I also discovered that my steam folder was set to "read only". I deselected that. Not sure if it helped.

I'm on windows 11.

removing the read only fixed it for me

[ReferalofInformationfromInternet]

This does not require any other fixes or patches or file verification- this is a Windows driver issue. Nvidia drivers are automatically installed from Windows update, or they're contained within the driver pack that the Windows 10 installation comes with. The only way to correctly fix this super dumb issue is to get Display Driver Uninstaller:

Install Display driver uninstaller

1. Hold shift and click on your start menu
2. Select restart (while holding down shift)
3. When the troubleshoot menu comes up, select the option for options that contain "safe mode"
4. Boot into safe mode and run the GPU portion of display driver uninstaller
5. This will remove all nvidia drivers on the operating system
6. (I strongly recommend that you disconnect from your wifi or network after you reboot so windows doesn't install it's own GPU drivers
7. Install the latest nvidia drivers from nvidia's website
8. Everything should work correctly now.

[lelelelelelelelelelelelelelele]

What ended up fixing it for me on the steam deck:

Unlock legacy access through Properties > Betas > private beta: input "ineedlegacyaccess"

Removed all extra launch commands and used the newest (non experimental) version of proton.

It finally went past that dreadful "updating executable" and launched!