Bug Report – Grim Dawn Launch Blocked by Windows Smart App Control (0x11C7)

[HarryPoo]

Hello Crate Entertainment Team,

I’m writing to report an issue I encountered when launching Grim Dawn via Steam.

Issue Summary:
The game fails to start and displays the following error message:

“Failed to start process for this game: ‘An Application Control policy has blocked this file.’ (0x11C7)”

Environment Details:

• Platform: Steam (PC)
• OS: Windows 11
• Security Feature: Smart App Control (enabled)

Description:
It appears that Windows Smart App Control is blocking the game executable from running. This happens immediately upon launching the game from Steam, preventing it from starting entirely.

To rule out local issues, I have already:

• Verified the integrity of the game files via Steam
• Completely uninstalled and reinstalled the game

Despite these steps, the issue persists.

I understand that disabling Smart App Control may allow the game to run; however, this introduces several security risks:

• It reduces protection against untrusted or malicious applications
• It increases exposure to potentially unsafe or unsigned executables
• Re-enabling Smart App Control is not always straightforward once it has been turned off

For these reasons, disabling this feature is not a preferred long-term solution.

I have not encountered this issue with THIS GAME and other games in my library, which suggests it may be related to how Grim Dawn’s executable is recognized or signed under Windows security policies.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Launch Steam
2. Click “Play” on Grim Dawn
3. Error appears instantly, and the game does not start

Additional Notes:

• No modifications or third-party tools are installed for the game
• The installation is clean and verified via Steam

Could you please look into whether this might be related to code signing, compatibility with Windows Smart App Control, or any known issues on your end?

Thank you for your time and support.

Best regards,

[Ceno]

@HarryPoo

I understand that disabling Smart App Control may allow the game to run; however, this introduces several security risks:

• It reduces protection against untrusted or malicious applications
• It increases exposure to potentially unsafe or unsigned executables
• Re-enabling Smart App Control is not always straightforward once it has been turned off

For these reasons, disabling this feature is not a preferred long-term solution.

Why disable when you can add an Exclusion?

This happens from time to time with Steam games, especially demos.

1. Open Windows Security (just type it in the search bar)

2. Go to Virus & threat protection

3. Click Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings

4. Scroll down to Exclusions → click Add or remove exclusions

5. Click + Add an exclusion → choose Folder

6. Find your Steam games folder
   (Default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common)

7. Select the game folder in question

8. After that, restart Steam and try launching the demo again.

[HarryPoo]

Thank for your replying. <3

I’ve already tried that, but the issue still hasn’t been resolved.

I’ve played Grim Dawn for over 222 hours, so this is definitely not a demo version.

The last time I played on this laptop was on March 10 2026, and everything was working fine.

It’s only today, when I tried to launch the game again, that I ran into this problem.

[Monjh]

Windows is making some VERY weird updates - maybe this was caused because of that?

Dunno if you have the option to revert some updates.

[HarryPoo]

Thank you Monjih… I also have the same thinking with you about new Window updates few days ago.

Anyway, I decided to turn off the Smart App Control whenever playing Grim dawn. After finishing gaming’s time, I turn on Smart App Control again =)))

FYI: Another game taking the same problem is Reversed 1999. I got the same problem like this.

[Gnomish_Inquisition]

just out of curiosity, did you add the GD exclusion before the “update”/XY time ago before the new issue popped up, or just now/after?
*thinking maybe it helps to remove and re-add it if so (like knocking on the old TV to wake it up)

[HarryPoo]

I only encountered this issue yesterday, so of course, I just added GD to the exclusion list after the Windows update.

Furthermore, I want to point out that Smart App Control seems to operate independently from Windows Defender (and other antivirus software).

In most cases, Smart App Control blocks applications from running because the application (or some component within it) is considered untrustworthy/unverified, lacks a valid digital signature, or comes from an unidentified developer.

[Gnomish_Inquisition]

i don’t think GD changed in the last couple days (unless my steam missed something, again ) - are you using a mod/tool perhaps that goes in the GD folder like DPYes? If so mebe “smort control” was registering that/exe getting hooked into or whatever
Anyway, just spitting out random ideas

[HarryPoo]

It seems that, the problem coming from Window update, not belong to GD.

FYI, until today, the problem was resolved completely. I can launch GD as normal, without turn off Smart app control.

I thinks, Window update continue do something hidden to make everything work normally.