A "clean boot" starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, so that you can determine whether a background program is interfering with your game or program. This is similar to starting Windows in Safe Mode, but provides you more control over which services and programs run at startup to help you isolate the cause of a problem. For testing, please create a new Windows Administrator account. Its important that it is an Adminitrator account to ensure the PC has all associated privilages. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-7 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-user-account#create-user-account=windows-8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/create-a-local-user-account-in-windows-10 Log in under that account and try. If it fails, and while still under that account, please click the link below for performing a 'clean boot' under it:Performing a Clean Boot
Creating a new Windows Administrator Account
Windows 7
Windows 8
Windows 10 & 11
Windows Clean Boot Documention
Purging Game Installation \ Reinstalling
Please uninstall GC4 from Epic Library:
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After GC4 has been uninstalled, please press the Windows key and "R" at the same time. In the window that appears, paste the path below and hit enter:
%userprofile%\Documents\My Games
In the "My Games" folder, rename any folders related to 'Galciv4' to 'Galciv4_OLD'. Upon reinstall (if that is the goal), a new folder will be created.
Once again, press the Windows key and "R" at the same time, and use the path below:
%programdata%\Stardock
You should see a folder named "Galactic Civilizations IV", please rename this likewise as well.
Lastly, please navigate to the location where you installed the game - typically that is:
C:\Program Files\Epic Games
If a GCIV folder exists, delete it.
Restart your computer and reinstall GC4 using Epic Client. After it has completed the installation, please create a new game to see if your issues persist.