Matrix Games Forums

Excellent, Alvek! You are awesome! Thank you!

Edit: Opening screen still reads 2.1.0.2, but the Empire Policy Screen is fixed.

CaesarAug wrote: Sat Aug 16, 2025 7:32 pm Edit: Opening screen still reads 2.1.0.2, but the Empire Policy Screen is fixed.

Yeah, forgot to change splash screen version. Re-uploaded zip with fix for splash screen

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!

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!

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 ?

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 ?

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.

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.

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.

Oh, that was fast! Will check as soon as I get back home!

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.

Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.

CaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:22 pm
Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.

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).

Alvek wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:35 pm

CaesarAug wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:22 pm
Alvek, unfortunately, the same error is flagged with 2.1.0.4, see screenshot.

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).

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.

CaesarAug 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 learn more opens more details? If not then I need to google where it stores details

Does it flags exe after scan or only on game launch?
And what about second risky action?

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.

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.

Ok, will do as soon as I can.

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.

I've excluded PowerToys PowerLauncher from Windows Defender scan and 2.1.0.4 DistantWorlds.exe is no longer flagged!
Yay! Thanks so much, Alvek!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alvek wrote: Wed Aug 20, 2025 11:48 am

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.