Game does not start when Documents folder is used - Portrait bug/Missing file when it is not used.

[iLoveApples]

Since about a week I've been having several issues with Crusader Kings 2.
First issue was that the game and the launcher would not start at all. I solved this by creating a .txt file in the installation folder and can now start the game again. However, Stellaris and Europa Universalis 4 still work perfectly with the Documents folder. I have added the Paradox Interactive folder as an exemption in Windows Defender and don't have Avast, so I don't see why it doesn't work. Anything I can try here?

My current issue is that the Mediterrean Portraits are not loaded, while the DLC is active according to the content settings ingame. Aside from that the Arab portraits are glitched and theirs faces are all shifted. All other portraits do work.

I have tried both the current uptodate version and the beta. During my first issue I have tried several re-installs of the game. I have on both issues tried to verify the game files and am eventually successful - but everytime I start up the game, quit, and verify again I am told 1-3 file(s) are missing and will be reacquired.

So, to summarise, I think I need to know the following:
1. Why can't CK2 use the Documents folder anymore? How can I find out? What can I do?
2. How can I get the Mediterrean and Arab portraits to work as they should?
3. How can I find out what file goes missing everytime I start up and close the game?

 

[AndrewT]

1. this is not a known problem in the game. I frequently recommend that procedure and it does not cause this problem for others

2. they should work regardless of where the documents are written

3. Steam do not provide any way of ascertaining that AFAIK

I have added the Paradox Interactive folder as an exemption in Windows Defender

If the Controlled Folder Access feature is enabled you need to add ck2game.exe to the "Apps Allowed Through" list in that feature.

 

[iLoveApples]

If the Controlled Folder Access feature is enabled you need to add ck2game.exe to the "Apps Allowed Through" list in that feature.

Hey, thanks for the reaction. I was not using Controlled Folder Access, but I decided to try it out anyway and I now can use the Documents folder again. Portraits also seem to work fine.

So, as I understand, for whatever reason CK2 was being blocked by Windows Defender. While it's not tech support relevant to Paradox Games: do you have any suggestion on where to look to find out why this happened?

 

[AndrewT]

As it is a Microsoft product it seems like they would be the best place.

Good luck!