finally got a solution on launching the game

[cheeky_chick]

so this method had worked for me hope it works for you.

1. go into steam and into the games properties

2. browse local files

3. scroll down until you see the civ 5 V icon that says launcher

4. delete the launcher

5. try loading the game thru steam (this should make the game install Microsoft scripts)

6. it should have launched if it had then enjoy the game.

[cheeky_chick]

update: this dont work anymore it loaded once and then it had stopped

[maikelnienhuis]

i removed the civ5 ico in:
Program Files (x86)\Steam\steam\games and i can start the game over and over no troubles here...finally

[jfernwright]

I've been bit by this issue, I'm longtime fan of Civ 5 and Civ 6 hater. Running Windows 11 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2605). The game absolutely refuses to launch, no error message or system log events. It ran fine over the past year (2024), seems like the two Microsoft updates below that were installed on my system on 1/5/2025 may be related to whatever the changed is that suddenly broke it.

I've tried verifying the game files in Stream, and while originally I did have 6 that failed, uninstalling and reinstalling the game and all DLC (and rebooting for good measure) and then passing the file verification 100% did not help at all, it still fails to start. Tried deleting the Civ5Icon.ico and the old Laucher.exe files, and invoking the CivilizationV_DX11.exe outside of Steam as others have suggested in this thread but still no dice.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/december-10-2024-kb5048667-os-build-26100-2605-708755a6-d809-4a8a-8d20-53c4108590e6

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/november-12-2024-kb5045934-cumulative-update-for-net-framework-3-5-and-4-8-1-for-windows-11-version-24h2-6838e5bd-9ccc-4fb8-821e-1e941b1e04eb

[Rickerd]

Hey, you can check out this Steam guide for a solution. I posted it to Reddit earlier and it seemed to help quite a few people :)