'Updating executable fix' maybe.

[AllenWalker]

There are a lot of possible fixes floating around to get around the "updating executable" issue. Here's what worked for me. Hopefully it works for you too. Good luck!

1a. Put "C:\Steam\steamapps\common\Sid Meier's Civilization V\CivilizationV_DX11.exe" %command% in Launch Options.
1b. Your path might be different from mine. Browse local files and copy your path. I put my steamfolder outside Program Files, because Windows tends to interfere.
2, Browse to your Civilization V folder, deselect Read-only and hit Apply. Do not press OK (it might reset the Read only status if you do, it does for me).
3. Hit the launch button in Steam and select your preferred DirextX option.

Addendum:
1. In case you cannot change the read-only status: make sure you have full security access to your folders. I use a script called Take Ownership to do so.
2. I had deleted the Civilization V folder in Documents/My Games, but it might not be necessary so I'm putting it here as an aside. My Documents folder is outside the usual path too.

Step 2 made the difference for me. Hope it helps! If it didn't, godspeed!

[Apollo (Adept)]

this worked for my friend. definitly the best solution right now

[DudeHunder]

IT WORKED. i highly recommend to delete stuff from DOCUMENTS once in a wile

[Boop McScoop]

Tried everything i could, re-installed 4 or 5 times. This is the only fix that worked for me, much appreciated

[Venoxxm]

+Rep fixed for GF

[Fincik09]

I am confused. where do I paste the path into?

[pennstate74]

Hey this worked for me! Specifically step 2 by itself was all I needed after trying many things.

They key thing was DO NOT CLOSE PROPERTIES WINDOW AFTER UNCHECKING READ ONLY AND HITTING APPLY. If I left the properties window open, civ 5 would launch, but if I closed the window civ 5 would not launch.

[BassStankBoogie]

This worked for me as well. Changing the read only status seems the most important since the launcher/executable needs to be updated. I can see it getting hung due to not having read access.

Thank you, you beautiful bastard.

[RockR]

Thank you. It worked

[Liquid]

This worked for me, thank you OP.