Windows 11 Smart app control blocking eso64.exe

Fuhrankie · January 29

So this idiotic feature of windows 11 has decided that eso's launcher isn't verified correctly with a valid signature and has blocked it from being able to access the internet.

This means the client can't patch or load.

I have tried checking the game files, restarting, etc, but it's always running into this smart app control wall with (seemingly) no way around it.

Fuhrankie · January 29

To update, I have disabled smart app control as a workaround, but this is not an ideal fix.

Also the response I got to my submitted ticket (260128-003950) was telling me about unlinking my bethesda account so whatever AI zos are using for ticket responses is waaaaay off the money

aenarel · January 29

Same here, I get a "Windows Security" notification with the message:

"Part of this app has been blocked
Some features of ZeniMax Online Studios Launcher may not work because we can't confirm who published eso64.exe that the app tried to load."

I don't want to disable Smart App Control for ESO, since according to the text in the relevant Windows 11 dialog "If Smart App Control is off it can't be turned on without reinstalling Windows."

That said, I have no idea if this is a Zenimax issue (not certifying their app properly) or a Microsoft issue (some bogus AI scan feature gone haywire). I hope this gets resolved, soon, either way.

aenarel · January 29

Alright, so a complete uninstall in Steam and reinstalling helped me. I also, after a backup of the folder, removed the %localappdata%\Elder Scrolls Online folder after uninstalling the game. I suspect this was not necessary, though.

Karminathevamp · January 30

I also received the same notification from Windows 11 this evening and was unable to start the game, while I was able to play on the EU server earlier this afternoon. I have no idea what changed during the day, but I am glad I saw your post @aenarel. So I completely uninstalled and reinstalled the game (not from Steam though) and I was finally able to play on the NA server. Thanks for sharing your information.

reybrujoangmar · January 31

Having the same problem here. It seems like I was tricked anytime by Windows Update, and got a pre release version from Windows Insider program (Windows Version 25H2 Build 26200.7628) and the Smart app control started trolling me whenever I try to execute eso64.exe.

I'm reinstalling the game, since i've seen that this worked for some of you. Anyway, if I'm lucky enough and it also works for me... how can we know we won't get the same issue tomorrow, next week or next month?