Windows 8: Fatal error could not load module 'bin/vgui2_s.dll'

[Toebus]

Steam will not start and I receive the error in the subject.

Things I've tried:
-Checked the /bin folder, the vgui2_s.dll is in there
-Deleted ClientRegistry.blob and restarted steam
-Uninstall and reinstall steam
-Delete any steam registry keys, uninstall reinstall steam
-Run repair option of steam install
-Check registry keys to see if they are pointing to the wrong directory, doesn't seem to be the case.
-System restore to an earlier date

Nothing has worked.

Running out of options here. I've had no hardware changes and no software changes other than regular windows updates. Everything else on the PC is running fine. Steam ran fine up until a few days ago. I really don't want to reinstall the whole system just to get steam working.

Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Toebus]

Bump

[Vice]

Found a solution; delete your vgui2_s.dll that's in the bin folder. Copy it just in case.
Though, it makes an entirely new one and launches steam immediately. I was so scared haha though it worked perfect!

[Toebus]

Thanks, good to know. Got so frustrated that I just restored my system.

[ObeseObliterator223]

thanks man i had same problem and now it works

[Wilhelm]

Tx! It worked perfectly (I was scared too).

[henryg]

Do any of you use AVG or Avast anti-virus software?

[Cheeb]

yep thanks soundeko. STEAM SUCKS

[ΣZΣ | jenz]

thanks alot soundeko your tip worked, and yes henryg i use AVG

[Maduro , fuera , Miseria , fuera]

GODDD , MAN you are the best TY i was looking some fix but nothing , was scaring delete the vgui2_s.dll file XD

[flowering ivy]

For anybody else facing this same issue:
This occurrence is not limited to Windows 8 operating systems.
I'm currently operating off of a Windows Vista (Do not recommend) and the error is the same.
Luckily, the solution is the same.
Just go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\bin to find the file named "vgui2_s.dll"
After that, you should copy the file (ctrl+c) and then delete it.
After deleting it, try to run Steam again.
This should allow you to run Steam once more.
If steam doesn't start running again then paste the file (ctrl+v) back to where it was.

[Shade]

Ty worked for me too!

[CronoGamer]

SoundEko, thanks a ton! Worked perfectly for me.

[F-16]

...suspect Microsoft's recent updates created this problem for me....also use AVG....thanks Soundeko...worked!

[Lukyan Grevsky]

I did the suggestion in the comments, deleting the file in the bin folder. It works PERFECTLY. Started up as usual, though it took slightly longer on the "Connecting to steam account: ..."

[ICON Machines Computadores]

tnx to toebus and eko! for the post and solution, got that message today, afraid of need to reinstall everything, works like a charm, you save my life.