Expansion mod
Re: Expansion mod
Excellent, Alvek! You are awesome! Thank you!
Edit: Opening screen still reads 2.1.0.2, but the Empire Policy Screen is fixed.
Edit: Opening screen still reads 2.1.0.2, but the Empire Policy Screen is fixed.
Re: Expansion mod
Yeah, forgot to change splash screen version. Re-uploaded zip with fix for splash screenCaesarAug wrote: Sat Aug 16, 2025 7:32 pm Edit: Opening screen still reads 2.1.0.2, but the Empire Policy Screen is fixed.
Re: Expansion mod
Alvek, there is a problem with version 2.1.0.3: Windows keeps flagging this as a Low Risky Action Blocked, on Attack Surface Reduction. Been trying to exclude this from Windows Defender, editing Group Policy, etc., but I can't seem to make it work. Thought to let you know... thanks!
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Re: Expansion mod
Your screen shot says it blocked PowerToys util. Not sure why it would block it thought.CaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:49 am Alvek, there is a problem with version 2.1.0.3: Windows keeps flagging this as a Low Risky Action Blocked, on Attack Surface Reduction. Been trying to exclude this from Windows Defender, editing Group Policy, etc., but I can't seem to make it work. Thought to let you know... thanks!
Looks like power launcher sub util somehow got weird interaction with DWU on launch ?
Re: Expansion mod
Confirmed starting game error with PowerRun from PowerToys, will look into it. I use ESET NOD and Defender disabled, so not sure about false positive, maybe fixing error will remove that.Alvek wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 9:52 am Your screen shot says it blocked PowerToys util. Not sure why it would block it thought.
Looks like power launcher sub util somehow got weird interaction with DWU on launch ?
Re: Expansion mod
Just using Windows Defender. All my game files are excluded but this false positive with 2.1.0.3 keeps flagging. I’m not as savvy as you.
I’ve gone back to version 2.0.0.6 which works nicely. But I’m only modding and playtesting so I can wait for a fix with the latest version. Thank you.

Re: Expansion mod
Version 2.1.0.4-beta:
Fixed error during game start through PowerToys PowerRun
https://github.com/DW-UX/DistantWorldsE ... 1.0.4-beta
CaesarAug check if defender still have false positive.
Fixed error during game start through PowerToys PowerRun
https://github.com/DW-UX/DistantWorldsE ... 1.0.4-beta
CaesarAug check if defender still have false positive.
Re: Expansion mod
Oh, that was fast! Will check as soon as I get back home! 

Re: Expansion mod
Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.Alvek wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 5:13 pm Version 2.1.0.4-beta:
Fixed error during game start through PowerToys PowerRun
https://github.com/DW-UX/DistantWorldsE ... 1.0.4-beta
CaesarAug check if defender still have false positive.

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Re: Expansion mod
Still not sure it's DWU flagged, can you post all additional info that Defender have on that report? Virus total have problem only with Dll and only on 2 of 72 (ClamAV and Google).CaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:22 pm
Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.![]()
Re: Expansion mod
Not sure where to look for a more detailed Windows Defender report... all I can see from Windows Security is something about PowerToys PowerLauncher, blocked by Attack surface reduction, using Advanced protection rule against ransomeware, specifically affecting v2.1.0.3 and v2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe.Alvek wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:35 pmStill not sure it's DWU flagged, can you post all additional info that Defender have on that report? Virus total have problem only with Dll and only on 2 of 72 (ClamAV and Google).CaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:22 pm
Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.![]()
Re: Expansion mod
Does learn more opens more details? If not then I need to google where it stores detailsCaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 8:12 pm
Not sure where to look for a more detailed Windows Defender report... all I can see from Windows Security is something about PowerToys PowerLauncher, blocked by Attack surface reduction, using Advanced protection rule against ransomeware, specifically affecting v2.1.0.3 and v2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe.
Does it flags exe after scan or only on game launch?
And what about second risky action?
Re: Expansion mod
No, “Learn more” only takes you to a Microsoft general information webpage. It was there how I learned to exclude my game files from the attack surface reduction in Group Policy settings, but without success.
It flags DistantWorlds.exe as soon as it’s detected in a scan, before game start. The second flag could be a repetition of the same issue when I cleaned the Windows Security Log and tried 2.1.0.3 and 2.1.0.4.
It flags DistantWorlds.exe as soon as it’s detected in a scan, before game start. The second flag could be a repetition of the same issue when I cleaned the Windows Security Log and tried 2.1.0.3 and 2.1.0.4.
Re: Expansion mod
CaesarAug check Virus & threat protection tab, check if there is journal for detected threats and if there is info more about DWU or PowerRun.
Also have you tried to exclude PowerToys PowerRun util? Because as far as I can tell your screen shot says it blocks PowerRun app, not DWU. DWU blocked because Defender don't trust PowerRun to start other programs.
Also have you tried to exclude PowerToys PowerRun util? Because as far as I can tell your screen shot says it blocks PowerRun app, not DWU. DWU blocked because Defender don't trust PowerRun to start other programs.
Re: Expansion mod
Ok, will do as soon as I can.
Re: Expansion mod
I've excluded PowerToys PowerLauncher from Windows Defender scan and 2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe is no longer flagged!Alvek wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 6:38 am CaesarAug check Virus & threat protection tab, check if there is journal for detected threats and if there is info more about DWU or PowerRun.
Also have you tried to exclude PowerToys PowerRun util? Because as far as I can tell your screen shot says it blocks PowerRun app, not DWU. DWU blocked because Defender don't trust PowerRun to start other programs.
Yay! Thanks so much, Alvek!

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Re: Expansion mod
I should point out that although the 2.1.0.3 and 2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe were being flagged by Windows Defender because of the PowerToys PowerLauncher process (now successfully excluded), as I recall the game did manage to start anyway. It was being flagged but the game played.Alvek wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 6:38 am CaesarAug check Virus & threat protection tab, check if there is journal for detected threats and if there is info more about DWU or PowerRun.
Also have you tried to exclude PowerToys PowerRun util? Because as far as I can tell your screen shot says it blocks PowerRun app, not DWU. DWU blocked because Defender don't trust PowerRun to start other programs.
The game now starts and plays without the security flagging.

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Re: Expansion mod
Weird, 2.1.0.3 should have crashed due to using local path and launching via PowerRun messing with current dir variable that lead to game not finding some critical files.CaesarAug wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 8:38 am
I should point out that although the 2.1.0.3 and 2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe were being flagged by Windows Defender because of the PowerToys PowerLauncher process (now successfully excluded), as I recall the game did manage to start anyway. It was being flagged but the game played.
The game now starts and plays without the security flagging.![]()
Re: Expansion mod
You would know better than me… I remember the game starting up correctly with a flagged 2.1.0.3. I checked the Empire Policy scroll issue which was fixed. Maybe it crashed later but I just don’t remember it doing so.Alvek wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 11:48 amWeird, 2.1.0.3 should have crashed due to using local path and launching via PowerRun messing with current dir variable that lead to game not finding some critical files.CaesarAug wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 8:38 am
I should point out that although the 2.1.0.3 and 2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe were being flagged by Windows Defender because of the PowerToys PowerLauncher process (now successfully excluded), as I recall the game did manage to start anyway. It was being flagged but the game played.
The game now starts and plays without the security flagging.![]()
Re: Expansion mod
Looks like I confused Alt+Space from windows with PowerToys command palette. PowerToys probably don't mess with current dir so game launched without error.CaesarAug wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 12:32 pm You would know better than me… I remember the game starting up correctly with a flagged 2.1.0.3. I checked the Empire Policy scroll issue which was fixed. Maybe it crashed later but I just don’t remember it doing so.