SH4 and Windows 11

[TwistedFemur]

Anybody else having trouble with SH4 Gold running under windows 11?
Tried everything I know and still wont run. Process runs but the program wont.
any ideas? besides rolling back to win 10?

[propbeanie]

You probably have to re-install SH4 and DirectX v9.0c and the Codecs for it. If you have the disk version, those of course, are on the install menu. If you have Steam or Ubisoft, they should automatically install with the game. After that, the usual Windows settings on the SH4.exe Properties page to prevent Windows from messing with your display

https://i.imgur.com/bP46VIS.jpg

[TwistedFemur]

You probably have to re-install SH4 and DirectX v9.0c and the Codecs for it. If you have the disk version, those of course, are on the install menu. If you have Steam or Ubisoft, they should automatically install with the game. After that, the usual Windows settings on the SH4.exe Properties page to prevent Windows from messing with your display

https://i.imgur.com/bP46VIS.jpg

Thank you. followed your suggestions and I now get a UAC notification saying an administrator has blocked me from running this app. For mor information contact administrator.

Checked my account and I am an admistrator.
Im at a loss got anymore Ideas?

[propbeanie]

You have UAC (User Access Controls) cranked way up, or you are in a "protected" folder, such as "Program Files (x86)", or both. If you type "UAC" in the Search box by the Start menu, you should get a "Change User Account Control settings", or something to that effect. You do not have to turn it off, just down a notch. If you have a Steam version of the game and are in the default Steam Library folder, you are under the sway of a "Program Files" folder, and can either un-install or move SH4 to an unprotected folder, or re-install it in a new Library folder on a different hard drive. See Moving a Steam Installation and Games (https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/4BD4-4528-6B2E-8327). If you have a Ubisoft UConnect download, you can copy the entire contents of Silent Hunter 4 folder and move it to a folder of your own creation, such as "C:\Games \SH4" or whatever, and paste it in there. The licensing will move with the game. The Steam version uses the Steam App for its "security, so is more complicated. A disk version of the game can be handled like the UConnect version, and just be copied and pasted elsewhere. Let us know here what 'brand' and version of the game you have, and where you have it installed. Did you re-install SH4 after upgrading to Win11?

[MikePalmer]

Oddly enough, I couldn't get SH4 to run on my old rig under Win 10. When I bought a new Desktop it ran, under Windows 10. And now it runs better under Windows 11.

I suspect your problem is related to something other than Windows. I wish I could tell you what.

[Aktungbby]

MikePalmer!:Kaleun_Salute: and a welcome back to TwistedFemur!:Kaleun_Salute: after a long silent run!:up:

[Warbie]

I think the issue is with the Silent Hunter 4 initial screen resolution. I never had the issue until I had to buy a new PC with pre-installed Win 11. The issue is that the initial screen resolution of the Steam version comes with a very low screen resolution setting and lowest graphic settings. Since the app is running (as seen from task manager tab) but nothing happening, likely indicates a graphics/display issue, or issues related to your screen refresh rate.

What you need to do is to override your OS' auto-scaling and screen optimisations as older programs with smaller resolution settings do fail to show up on the screen. Once you can access the in-game menu, you can also adjust resolution settings to a higher one that fits your modern rig.

For that, you need to go to the sh4.exe file location, set compatibility settings to Vista (Service Pack 2), disable screen optimisation and go to high DPI settings and check "Override High DPI scaling". After changing all of those, I can run SH4 with U boat missions like butter on Win 11, however, keep in mind that some visual mods who change screen resolutions/settings might cause issues as well.

[LSUTigersFan]

For context, I would get through the introduction screen in Windows II in SH4 with the Fall of the Rising Sun Mod to a black screen with an hourglass (that never changed) or a pointer, with the same result. I downloaded the SH4 Gold with UBoat Missions from Amazon through the link on Subsim.

I finally got it to work. In no particular order...

(1) I checked the box overriding the High DPI, disabled fullscreen optimizations, and ran it as administrator
(2) I cranked UAC down one hash (one above the bottom)
(3) Changed the Main.cfg file to run in 1080p. From another post on Steam, I made the following changes. Go here and put in these settings.

:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Silent Hunters Wolves of the Pacific\Data\Cfg\Main.cfg

[VIDEO]
Resolution=1270,720,60,22
DynamicShadows=No
FullScreen=No
Synchronized=No
TextureResolutionHigh=No

Thats exactly how the video section in cfg file must look like,

(4) I changed the screen display scale to run at native 100%

I am not sure which one was the trigger, as I had been playing around for a while. If I recall correctly, I had the same no go results with steps (3) and (4), but it was logging in as administrator and lowering the UAC that may have sealed the deal. It seems to work fine now, as everything loads up. It has been a while since I played, so I cannot say it ALL works fine. I can get at least to the training screens now.

I may go back and undo things to what the true fix was, if it was not a collection of fixes.

[Aktungbby]

LSUTigersfan

[Red Devil]

What exactly is the purpose of UAC when we have such complex security programmes? I have UAC turned off, always have done.

[KaleunMarco]

What exactly is the purpose of UAC when we have such complex security programmes? I have UAC turned off, always have done.

Microsoft.....control the users and you control the world.:doh:
:D

[Hazelwood]

I'm late to this discussion but seems everyone's situation is different so... here goes.

In Windows 10, around 2 years ago, started getting "An administrator has blocked this app" and SH4.exe is identified as the culprit. Presumably, there was an MS security update involved. Turning down the UAC slider in "Settings" didn't help. What did work was constructing an "elevated" launch icon for the sim. If you hadn't done this before, a bit daunting, but there's good advice on the Web. In business after that.

I could NOT get his trick to work under Win 11 so was stuck for a while. What did work was the following:

01 - In the application search Window type: "Edit group policy" (without quotes) and ENTER. (Group Policy can be found using Control Panel but this way is actually easier).

02 - In the panel that opens, choose "Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options"

03 - On right side, scroll down to find "User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode Enabled"

04 - Double-click that line to get an option box with "Enable / Disable" options.

05 - Choose "Disable", close the editor and re-boot. The access problem is now solved but wait (see later).

06 - When finished gaming, be sure to re-enable that UAC setting for best protection. You'll have to go through the steps above but "Enable" that UAC setting in step 05.

My troubles still weren't over. The sim ran fine part way but upon doing my first SAVE it hung and could not be relaunched even with a reboot. Bummer. Upon first initialization, SH4 allocates a \SH4 directory with \Data as follows. This is SH4's working directory for the files included and is initialized from the one distributed in the executable's directory so you can ignore that one for now:

C:\Users"Your Name"\Documents\SH4\data\cfg

(Note - "Your Name" might not be your name but it's whatever you called your user account when installing Windows.). If you are using "Onedrive" the \Documents folder will be under \Onedrive. I don't use Onedrive so you're on your own there.

Navigate to and open "main.cfg" (in \cfg above) in a text editor. Once there, specify preferences in the "Video" section. The following worked for me with a Hi-Def monitor:

[VIDEO]
Resolution=1920,1280,60,22
DynamicShadows=Yes
FullScreen=No
Synchronized=No
TextureResolutionHigh=Yes

You might have to experiment with this and the simulation's graphics settings (once you can get in there). What appears to work is having the two matched.

I still was not out of the woods as the sim would not launch. After a lot of fooling around did the following:

01 - Deleted the entire \SH4 folder found in C:\Users"Your Name"\Documents\SH4\data\cfg.

(This is safe. Windows might obstruct you saying the file is open in another program. In that case, do a cold boot from system powered-down and you are good to go.)

02 -This forces SH4 at your next launch to rebuild that directory from the execution library (good idea to have desired video settings in the .cfg in THAT library.

Caramba! SH4 now launched. I was able to edit all options and the sim runs beautifully. "Saves" work without a glitch. I can only surmise that refreshing the "working" main.cfg fixed something.

Hope this helps someone.

Best wishes,
Cpt. J. Hazelwood

[Red Devil]

to kill uac just go to control panel and type it into search - bingo

[cdrsubron7]

Where do you have SH4 installed?

[Pilot_76]

Still not working for me after trying all mentioned here. I have just installed SH4 under Win 11 on a brand new system. The thing is that when switching to external camera if not immediately, the game will CTD after a while. No frozen screen, just CTD. Steam edition. :wah:

[Pilot_76]

Got it! Working OK.

https://youtu.be/iDXtS9c__Mw?si=ShXpP9qUFmLlfHQ-

[nycoroner05]

I have a digital copy I got off of Amazon a few years back. I have tried all the fixes listed in this forum but nothing works. I have lowered the permissions on win admin but i still can't launch the game.

[propbeanie]

Your pictures did not come through nycoroner05. Are you editing any of the SH4.exe file's "Properties"? Navigate into your game folder, right-click on the SH4.exe file, and choose "Properties" from the resultant context menu. Then click on the "Compatibility" tab. There are several settings in there you could try, one at a time, until you get it to run OK in Stock trim. Your computer hardware determines what you need to alter:

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/picture.php?albumid=1070&pictureid=12948


Also, is your Amazon license being recognized properly?

[nycoroner05]

I tired the compatibility mode and none of it worked. Running an MSI gaming laptop with the following:


Memory: 16 GB @ 1600 MHz
- 8192 MB, DDR4-3200, Samsung M471A1K43EB1-CWE
- 8192 MB, DDR4-3200, PNY Technologies Inc
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU, 3980 MB

Disk: SSD, Samsung SSD 980 1TB, 931.51 GB

[KaleunMarco]

I tired the compatibility mode and none of it worked. Running an MSI gaming laptop with the following:


Memory: 16 GB @ 1600 MHz
- 8192 MB, DDR4-3200, Samsung M471A1K43EB1-CWE
- 8192 MB, DDR4-3200, PNY Technologies Inc
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU, 3980 MB

Disk: SSD, Samsung SSD 980 1TB, 931.51 GB

in which folder do you have the game installed?
if you used the Ubi default folder(Programx86), you need to move it to a non-windows controlled folder.
here is an example:

C:\Ubisoft\Silent Hunter 4

[nycoroner05]

I'm late to this discussion but seems everyone's situation is different so... here goes.

In Windows 10, around 2 years ago, started getting "An administrator has blocked this app" and SH4.exe is identified as the culprit. Presumably, there was an MS security update involved. Turning down the UAC slider in "Settings" didn't help. What did work was constructing an "elevated" launch icon for the sim. If you hadn't done this before, a bit daunting, but there's good advice on the Web. In business after that.

I could NOT get his trick to work under Win 11 so was stuck for a while. What did work was the following:

01 - In the application search Window type: "Edit group policy" (without quotes) and ENTER. (Group Policy can be found using Control Panel but this way is actually easier).

02 - In the panel that opens, choose "Windows Settings/Security Settings/Local Policies/Security Options"

03 - On right side, scroll down to find "User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode Enabled"

04 - Double-click that line to get an option box with "Enable / Disable" options.

05 - Choose "Disable", close the editor and re-boot. The access problem is now solved but wait (see later).

06 - When finished gaming, be sure to re-enable that UAC setting for best protection. You'll have to go through the steps above but "Enable" that UAC setting in step 05.

My troubles still weren't over. The sim ran fine part way but upon doing my first SAVE it hung and could not be relaunched even with a reboot. Bummer. Upon first initialization, SH4 allocates a \SH4 directory with \Data as follows. This is SH4's working directory for the files included and is initialized from the one distributed in the executable's directory so you can ignore that one for now:

C:\Users"Your Name"\Documents\SH4\data\cfg

(Note - "Your Name" might not be your name but it's whatever you called your user account when installing Windows.). If you are using "Onedrive" the \Documents folder will be under \Onedrive. I don't use Onedrive so you're on your own there.

Navigate to and open "main.cfg" (in \cfg above) in a text editor. Once there, specify preferences in the "Video" section. The following worked for me with a Hi-Def monitor:

[VIDEO]
Resolution=1920,1280,60,22
DynamicShadows=Yes
FullScreen=No
Synchronized=No
TextureResolutionHigh=Yes

You might have to experiment with this and the simulation's graphics settings (once you can get in there). What appears to work is having the two matched.

I still was not out of the woods as the sim would not launch. After a lot of fooling around did the following:

01 - Deleted the entire \SH4 folder found in C:\Users"Your Name"\Documents\SH4\data\cfg.

(This is safe. Windows might obstruct you saying the file is open in another program. In that case, do a cold boot from system powered-down and you are good to go.)

02 -This forces SH4 at your next launch to rebuild that directory from the execution library (good idea to have desired video settings in the .cfg in THAT library.

Caramba! SH4 now launched. I was able to edit all options and the sim runs beautifully. "Saves" work without a glitch. I can only surmise that refreshing the "working" main.cfg fixed something.

Hope this helps someone.

Best wishes,
Cpt. J. Hazelwood

Appreciate the feedback. The game is not worth the effort.LOL I got Silent Hunter 1 to run perfectly via the dosbox. SH3 runs without any effort. Why this one is difficult is crazy.

[Red Devil]

yeah I recall the sh4.exe is a big bad file that windows wouldn't play with. Did anyone fix it because my initial feeling is NO! Sometime in the recent past I was trying something to do with running off a stick, and got the sh4.exe - no you cant have it you naughty boy!!

[nycoroner05]

in which folder do you have the game installed?
if you used the Ubi default folder(Programx86), you need to move it to a non-windows controlled folder.
here is an example:

C:\Ubisoft\Silent Hunter 4


Did that, no change to my issue. Thank you though.

[mattinkent]

After a good while playing GWX, I reinstalled SH4 (on Steam) expecting problems on my W10 rig, but it worked like a charm…but I can’t never get on my rig anymore because of Child #2, so I got an old laptop and bought another one on a new ID. I installed it on W10 and NOTHING. I press play, it says it’s started (on Steam) - it installed Direct X again first time - then just stops. No splash screen. I made all the usual changes to the exe properties, and verified the files of SH4 & Uboat missions. Didn’t help. On Steam someone suggested it was DRM related? Any ideas?

[mattinkent]

After a good while playing GWX, I reinstalled SH4 (on Steam) expecting problems on my W10 rig, but it worked like a charm…but I can’t never get on my rig anymore because of Child #2, so I got an old laptop and bought another one on a new ID. I installed it on W10 and NOTHING. I press play, it says it’s started (on Steam) - it installed Direct X again first time - then just stops. No splash screen. I made all the usual changes to the exe properties, and verified the files of SH4 & Uboat missions. Didn’t help. On Steam someone suggested it was DRM related? Any ideas?

EDIT: Just started working. No reason. Ha!

[Aktungbby]

mattinkent!:Kaleun_Salute:...resurfaced after 6-years 'silent running'!??:up:

[Red Devil]

when I had 10 I had same problems. An answer I cant find in 11. I went into the desktop icon and slected properties, and changed a couple of settings. Problem is this is probably no use now as I cannot duplicate it. Sorry, I started off with goodi intentions and fell on my face. I'll keep looking :hmmm:

[floundericiousWA]

Howdy fellow pigboat skippers!


I've run face first into the Steam installation problems... I load up the game, start a career, start a patrol...and get stuck on a black screen with the GUI dials and buttons around the edge of the screen. The game automatically pauses itself. I can use fast fingers to hit backspace and get one of the other views (map table) but then its stuck. it won't unpause, it won't let me do anything, I've uninstalled and reinstalled.


it's in a data drive (Windows 11 is installed on C drive)

D:\steamlibrary\steamapps\common\


I've turned UAC down to the second to least.
I've used compatibility to make it run in Win7 mode with the compatibility mode settings in this thread and the high DPI options set per the picture just before this post.


Anyways, I'm working it (uninstalling, reinstalling, etc.) and will comment as I learn things:salute:

[Aktungbby]

FloundericiousWA!:Kaleun_Salute:...after 13 years' 'silent running'!:up:

[floundericiousWA]

Soooo... I completely uninstalled everything, deleted the local documents SH4 folder... reinstalled ONLY the SH4 Uboat Missions version from steam (NOT the original SH4).



Started it up...blackscreen but clearly it was full screen resolution issues. Used the comment upthread to go into the documents folder Main.cfg and the gamedirectory main.cfg and change the resolutions in both locations. bang fired up fine.
Started up a new american career, got a porpoise class, started a patrol...and it's working fine


LOL so yeah, do less, get more :haha:

now I have to remember that SH4 does NOT use WASD for moving the map and screen LMAO! SURFACE THE BOAT! DIVE DIVE DIVE!



Thanks for the welcome (back)! :Kaleun_Salute:

[AndTheBestItaly]

Hello, I just recently installed back Silent Hunter 4, but after installing it the game dosen't open and running it as Administrator don't work, I'm running out of idea and don't know what to do anymore?

[KaleunMarco]

Hello, I just recently installed back Silent Hunter 4, but after installing it the game dosen't open and running it as Administrator don't work, I'm running out of idea and don't know what to do anymore?

welcome to SH4.

Subsim has a special thread for Win11 and SH4.
you should check it out and see if your answer lies within.


https://subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=250953

[propbeanie]

Hello, I just recently installed back Silent Hunter 4, but after installing it the game dosen't open and running it as Administrator don't work, I'm running out of idea and don't know what to do anymore?
Have you tried the SH4.exe "Properties" and then "Compatibility" tab and mess with the settings there?? (Silent Hunter 4 & Windows 10 (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2783860#post2783860) - same applies to Win11) Also, do not install the game in a Windows "Program Files (x86) folder, but rather in a folder you create for yourself.

[Baxder]

Hey! I've built a new PC so another round of SH4 is mandatory. Launching the game off a fresh Steam install at native 4k presented no problems (besides readability!), but I can't make it through any tutorial without random CTD's. Will try the compatibility settings and report.

7800X3D/Arc B580
Yes I've done the LAA thing. No my install is not in Program Files.

Report: No go. Not sure what else to try. As the kids say these days: rip.

Update: The ctd's may have been caused by the Corruption Manager (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2942492) thing. Tried a clean install without it and things seem to be working fine. Working my way through installing the mods from this (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/downloads.php?do=file&id=5298) package I previously had in the CMS install to make sure none of them cause problems. (I was getting ctd's on the unmodded "root" install .exe with CMS, so it wasn't a mod then). The upside is plenty of reps against the tutorial cruiser. It's interesting to see how the environmental mods are affecting its behavior.

The 3000 yard bearing tool mod causes the game to crash on loading the actual game - not menus. I haven't tried this (https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1492335&postcount=1) version, but it doesn't list 4k as an option, so I'm thinking it's a bust.

[Bubblehead1980]

New desktop I purchased mainly with SH 4 in mind as the older PC used exclusively for SH 4 for long time finally gave out. Have another desktop and laptop for professional and personal business etc.


Windows 11
x64 bit
16 gb ram
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G w/ Radeon 740M graphics 3.55 GHz
Resolution is 1920x1080 180 mhz

SH 4 installed just fine, and works just fine.

However, twice know while running TMO Update BH it just suddenly
drops to desktop, closes game out. No warning, no message.

Now, can't tell if this is a mod bug but dont believe it is or something in system.

4gig patch installed


By all accounts, PC should handle this easily and it seemed to. The graphics, play


Random CTD's are quite aggravating after being well into patrol and it seems to run very well.

The game saves are also not wanting to load at times, causing CTD.