Deus Ex not running? Simple fix for the Steam version.

If you are like me and the game refuses to launch, follow this guide for a simple fix.

The Problem

I pulled my hair out trying to get this game to work. It either wouldn't launch or steam would say it was running and it would appear in task manager but nothing would happen. I finally decided to run the executable in admin mode (C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Deus Ex\System\DeusEx.exe) and got the error "Failed to find Steam" and then the program aborted.

The Problem: Deus Ex is looking for "Steam.dll" and can't find it.

The Solution

Quick Version:

Create a shortcut for "Steam.dll" (found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.dll) and paste it inside the "System" directory for the Deus Ex install (C:\<path to your steam library>\steamapps\common\Deus Ex\System). Now it should run.

Long Version:

Go to your base steam install and find "steam.dll"

• On windows this is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\Steam.dll

Now create a link or shortcut to Steam.dll.

• On windows, select Steam.dll (one left click) then right click on Steam.dll and select "Create Shortcut" from the pop up menu. Cut the created shortcut (ctrl+x with the shortcut selected).

Now navigate to your Deus Ex install location where you will find a folder called "System". Go inside the "System" folder and paste in your newly created shortcut (ctrl+v).

• On my system this is: C:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Deus Ex\System

Now it should work! You may need to run DeusEx.exe (inside the same "System" folder) once as an administrator before it launches normally through steam.

Update

For some reason this has stopped working smoothly, it no longer launches from steam (says its running but nothing appears).

My current fix: Do all of the above. Then open the game folder (from steam: gear icon> manage > browse local files) and open the "System" folder. Go to "DeusEx.exe", left click and select "Run as administrator" from the popup menu. Nothing will happen, but don't worry. Now navigate back to steam and click the "Play" button. Now it should launch and play fine. It will continue to launch from steam until you restart your PC, at which point you will need to re-perform this little run as admin trick.

[Wunderforce]

Works fine on my machine with the fixes above. No need for a launcher or a new directx renderer

[TheBlueSalamander]

Vanilla no longer works on modern machines. Just need to replace the .exe with a launcher someone made and install DX9 or DX10/11 renderer. PCGamingwiki.com is useful for checking community known fixes and problems in each game.