Launcher Problem: Opening launcher for Update results in need for a full "Install"

HumbleThaumaturge

Installation on PC with Windows 11.

I installed ESO "live" on one partition of my computer's drive (the D partition) and the ESO PTS files on another partition (the E partition). Each installation had it's own separate "Launcher" files with a Desktop shortcut that opened the Launcher. In other words, I was not running the PTS from the same Launcher as the "live" game.

On August 11, I opened the PTS "Launcher" to check for Updates. After apparently updating the Launcher, I was prompted to "Install," not "Update," the game. In other words, the Launcher did not seem to recognize that the ESO PTS files were already loaded on the computer. (All of the PTS files were still on the computer.) There was no option to "Repair" the game, I assume because the Launcher thought the game was not installed (even though it is). Now I, apparently, need to download the entire game again (over 100 GB), even though the files are already on the computer.

Today, August 19, I opened the Launcher for the "live" ESO game. Reminder: "Live" ESO is in a different partition than the PTS files, including its own separate Launcher. Just like before, instead of getting an option to "Update," the Launcher prompted me to "Install." So now the Launcher demands that I do a full install of ESO "live," just like what previously happened with the PTS Launcher. The ESO "live" files are still on the computer. I can still launch ESO "live" with the "ESO64.exe" file. Of course, after the next Update goes "live," I'll get a message that I can't play the game because it hasn't been updated. But to update, I'll need to do a full "Install" (over 100 GB).

There seems to be something wrong with the Launcher. For both "live" and "PTS" (on two different partitions, with independent Launchers), the Launcher required a full "Install" after an Update, instead of just installing the Update files.

We have two ESO players in our house. The other player does not have PTS, but does perform Updates on ESO "live." No problems have been noted on that computer. Both computers are running Windows 11.

Update:
To "fix" this issue, I uninstalled ESO then reinstalled it from scratch.
If this issue happens again, I will probably just stop playing ESO, since it is too bothersome to spend hours downloading all the game files.
I suppose I could buy a copy of ESO on Steam. Maybe then the problem won't occur. Or does Steam use the ESO Launcher to Update?

I tried a trick I that I have used successfully in the past to install ESO on a new computer. However, this trick apparently does not work anymore.
1. Backup ESO game files to another directory or external drive.
2. Uninstall ESO if previously installed. Not applicable for installation on new computer or drive.
3. Start ESO install from the Account webpage.
4. After Launcher is loaded and running and the Installation starts, Pause the Installation.
5. Transfer ESO game files from backup to the newly created game directories.
6. Back at the Launcher, continue the Installation.
In the past, the Launcher would recognize that the game files were already loaded, and would rapidly complete, without trying to reload them. When I tried this method today, it did not work: after I copied the game files from backup and continued the Installation, the Launcher did not detect the game files as already loaded, and continued with the full download. What a bother.

ZOS_Kevin

@HumbleThaumaturge have you placed a ticket in for this? If so, if you could provide the ticket number, we can get this to our customer service team to check and investigate to work toward a resolution.

htltrashb16_ESO

Same issue here (PC EU): the launcher downloads 33GB. I only have "Live", no PTS.

HumbleThaumaturge

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

@HumbleThaumaturge have you placed a ticket in for this? If so, if you could provide the ticket number, we can get this to our customer service team to check and investigate to work toward a resolution.

I did not submit a ticket. I uninstalled ESO then reinstalled it.

ZOS_Bill

We appreciate the update that reinstalling has helped with this launcher issue. As the issue has been resolved, we will go ahead and close the discussion.