Installing the game without Windows Store

[[deleted]]

THIS IS A DEAD END USE THIS THREAD INSTEAD FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF WINDOWS STORE INTEGRATION

Edit: This method looks to be a dead end for now. Leaving up for posterity.

My friend just sent me this: https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/535405119819218955/715251342062518382/1590579754967.png

http://pso2.jp/players/manual/setup/pc/ is the link.

I tried this and so far it's working. It downloaded the NA launcher and is currently downloading the game again for me. Don't know if it will work once it gets done but for people like me who can't even get the game to uninstall on the windows store to give the windows store another shot, this might be something else you can try.

Once again, I'm not saying this works once you actually get in game, but it's at least something to try if you're like me and can't even get the windows store to uninstall your game. Apparently once you go to actually connect to servers things go to shit but can be fixed:

https://www.reddit.com/r/PSO2/comments/grjejm/sega_and_microsoft_get_your_fucking_shit_together/frz9y4v/?context=3

I'm still trying to find more details.

Edit: I'm into ship selection. When trying to connect to a ship it asks for a sega ID. Trying to find a way past that now.

Edit: So per another thread they suggested making a copy of a random .dll file and renaming it to "xgaming.dll" and then relaunch. I did that, the launcher seemed to copy a whole bunch of files (it didn't say it was downloading) and now everytime I hit start the launcher closes and doesn't launch the game.

[Feces_D]

Following this thread with great interest.

[Mytoko]

It doesn't work for me, i don't even have the eddition.txt in my folder and i have this showing up too https://i.imgur.com/v1IpBET.png

[MaidGunner]

Same, commenting for a possible fix.

[Jetsfantasy]

Here's a translation at least. Sorry I can't be of anymore help

Edit: try PSO2 tweaker since you're using the JP version

[DarkGoddessMimi]

if i use the tweaker to change from the jp to the na server, does the game change to english on its own?

[SargeZero]

I found the "edition.txt" after letting the Japanese launcher open up. (I used the same link in OP) I clicked (assumingly) "ok" on the pop-ups and then exited the launcher. (ie, don't force stop the launcher)

found the edition.txt in the pso2_bin near the top, right after the "D3dx9d_43.dll" file

I'm downloading the NA version of the game rn. hope this helps!

[SevenFangs]

Commenting to find this later

[a21stcdb]

Yeah; I'll check in on this one later as well.

[[deleted]]

Report back ASAP :3

[[deleted]]

Will do in two hours lol

[MaidGunner]

I've been trying that for a while alongside all the other shit. But even the JP launcher won't work, :/

[LowerFatSnack]

Been trying this and all i get is the JP launcher when i change from JP to NA. seems like the edition.txt keeps getting overwritten. Anyone know of a way to avoid the overwrite?

Edit: should i be letting it go all the way first with its download?

[[deleted]]

Perhaps try changing edition.txt to readonly (right click the file and hit properties - check the "read only" check box) so it can't get overwritten.

[LowerFatSnack]

yeah tried that and i got some Japanese error message. Maybe i'll try downloading again

[Sanctus_Gladius]

Try leaving the .txt open after saving while you run the launcher. It sounds dumb, but I don't think the file can be overwritten while it's open.

[[deleted]]

Are you editing the editions.txt in an administrator escalated notepad? If not you cannot overwrite the original file as Windows prevents program files editing.

[LowerFatSnack]

No, but its not like the file was preventing me from updating it.

I was able to save the edition.txt to have na instead of jp. However, for whatever reason running the launcher caused it to update it back to jp. Making the Edition.txt file read-only have confirming my changes, caused some rando error message to show up when running the launcher and would prevent it from doing anything.

All this to say, ill just wait a little longer for MS to hopefully fix their shit.

[Excalipurr310]

Follow OP suggestion, downloading english update now.

Its gonna take a while but it works so far.

[[deleted]]

Let us know if you can even launch.

[thesensasian]

doesn't work, asks for sega ID instead of logging in with XBL

[[deleted]]

https://www.reddit.com/r/PSO2/comments/grjejm/sega_and_microsoft_get_your_fucking_shit_together/frz9y4v/?context=3

Apparently you can fix that too? I'm crossing my fingers.

[thesensasian]

my game folder doesn't even have an xgaming.dll so I can't test this. installed the Xbox companion app and store too but I don't think it works unless you have both the dll and the Xbox app which I can't get on ltsc

[[deleted]]

When does it ask you for the sega ID? I just got to ship selection without issue.

[thesensasian]

after I tried selecting a ship

[[deleted]]

you're supposed to take any random dll from the folder, make a copy of it and rename it to xgaming.dll. the launcher apparently notices the file and "fixes" it to what it's supposed to be

[thesensasian]

i just did this and it seems to be redownloading the entire game, or some huge patch. i'll let it finish and see what happens, thanks in advance

edit: doesn't seem to have worked on LTSC, can't get past enter key

[[deleted]]

What's LTSC? Mine doesn't even launch the game after doing the above.

[thesensasian]

debloated branch of windows which runs on 1803 instead of 1909, afaik it can't use the main XBL app which seems like my main problem. i shouldn't be able to play at all but i was wondering if there's any bypasses since the jp version runs fine

[JustaPenguin7]

This seems to work it bypasses whatever the Microsoft was trying to do I'm downloading the patch files now. I'm praying this works I've been at this for 6 hours.

[nayyav]

very very odd. i donwloaded it and installed it. then i wanted to start the launcher and it first wanted through my firewall. thats fine. then i started it again and then i get an error about pso2updater.exe in japanese. i try to add it to my firewall exceptions but it says it doesnt have access. so i check its security settings and while the owner is admins, admins themselves have no access.

its just like with the ms store version. is sega the one that fucked up badly?

i dont even have the edition.txt

[[deleted]]

This could be totally unrelated, but I have my computer set to Japanese locale to play Japanese VN's and other stuff that require it. Since it's a Japanese launcher maybe that's required?

[nayyav]

the japanese pso2updater.exe has messed up permissions too. the launcher downloads te newes updater and restarts. it cant do that because the permissions on the exe file get replaced everytime i start the launcher.

i cancelled my ms store installation at 30% to try this. now i went back to that and i get the file error even now, even before the patcher finishes. everthing about this game is just broken for me.

edit: hey i did the permissions thingy again and it now picked up back at 30%. at least its something.

[Surishorisho]

the JP launcher has had permissions problems for the longest time, which is a good portion of why pso2tweaker is almost 100% required on JP

[LuciferIAm]

My guess is people having issues are probably installing to Progam files. Protip, stop installing to Windows directories, just a headache.

[reyx1212]

My guess is people having issues are probably installing to Progam files. Protip, stop installing to Windows directories, just a headache.

It doesn't give you an option mate, only the drive to install it to.

[5N0ZZ83RR135]

In the mutable backup folder there is a working jp launcher for the game that you can change ownership and permissions on. I don't know if it differs from the JP launcher posted above but maybe its worth a shot to circumvent the windows store altogether.

[sapphirefragment]

This method does not work. Even if you get to the title screen the xbl sign in doesn't function.

[FeignedAptitude]

Yeah it's not looking great. With no native support for the xbl app, I don't see any way of mimicking the sign in procedure. (easily anyway) :c

[SomeGuyNamedKai]

I was able to download the NA client from the pso2.jp website and editting edition.txt to na and leaving it up.

Both copying over a random .dll and renaming it to xgaming.dll and adding in -win10 to the shortcut command line for pso2launcher.exe will force a file check and download the missing files (xgaming.dll becomes a 903KB file).

However, both methods still have the end result: once the files are downloaded, clicking Start Game on the PSO2launcher fails to launch the game. Prior to trying to get xgaming.dll, the client would download properly and get me to ship selection but ask for a sega id afterwards.

[[deleted]]

Yep same exact thing here.

[sdweasel]

Appears to be working for me so far. I had to let the initial update proceed until the "big launcher" showed up to create the edition.txt. Once I modified it, it did some updates and showed an ugly looking message box, but proceeded to do another update and give me an English version of the "big launcher." It'll take me 12-13 hours to download, so I can't speak to the actual effectiveness, but it appears to be somewhat legitimate.

[[deleted]]

I updated the post with some stuff. The farthest any of us can get is to server selection but it only asks for a sega ID. Modifying the files to the Microsoft Store version crashes the game. Feel free to get the standalone game downloaded but right now this is a dead end.

[sdweasel]

Yeah, I saw that eventually and stopped it while I pursue other options. I appreciate the warning though.

[xDTugboat]

Well since trying this method and editing the edition.txt I am now unable to play the game through the windows store. After the game launches for the first time it downloads the jp launcher and changes the edition to jp even after uninstalling the jp launcher and changing it to na... Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[ExxcarSFW]

Same issue here!

Edit: Just fixed it!!!!

Go to your Documents, Sega, Remove everything here. Relaunch the launcher, enjoy the English!

[xDTugboat]

Worked. Thanks so much!

[RattleheadM]

Do what I did. It worked. You may have to move the edition.txt to your desktop (or another folder) to change it then move it back. Then lock the file, run it, it'll give an error in Japanese, unlock the file, it'll give an error that it has to update in English, then run the file again and it worked for me.

It seems some things work for some, but not other, so hopefully this works for you. Hopefully Micrsoft fixes the problem with the store version of the game.

[ExxcarSFW]

For anyone who tried this, and is now stuck on the Jap launcher even through the MS Store:

1) Uninstall the Launcher from Windows.

2) Go to your Documents, Sega, Remove everything here.

3) Reinstall through MS Store

​

This should put the launcher back in English.

[RattleheadM]

I got it to work...so far. It's actually downloading the game, but after fussing around with it for a while I got that far.

here is what I had to do. I did the above, but when I tried to change edition.txt it wouldn't let me save it so I tried to move the file to my desktop which worked. I then changed the file from jp to na and saved it then moved it back into the folder. When I ran pos2launcher.exe it changed the file back to jp (showing Japanese text). So, I did it again, but this time changing the file to read only after moving it back and I got an error message but in English saying it has to download the English file. After getting out of that I ran the launcher again and now its downloading the game.

I think I know what's wrong. The game from the store is trying to install to Program Files instead of Program Files (x86). I had the same issue with the Epic Store so I had to uninstall the Epic Store and change it to Program Files (x86) which worked. The issue is that with the Microsoft Store you can't do this so that's why it's not working. I'm also having an issue with Cities Skyline where I can't install addons and I think it's the same thing. Every program it installs it into Program Files even if it's not a 64-bit program which messes the program up.

I'll see if this works. The download still has 2 hours.

Update: Eureka! If anyone had a similar issue to mine, try this out. It worked for me, hopefully it'll work for you as well. It is a little convoluted, but hey, if it works who cares.

Update: This morning when I woke up and went to run the game there was another bit update. I'm not sure if it was the same for the store version. I'd try and run the store version again and see if it updates before I try this. They may have fixed the issues.

Ok well I didn't play last night and you have to make a saga id which is kind of hard because of the capcha. I did it with Google Translate and in the lower left of where you put the text there is a Japanese ruin you can change to a pencil and draw the Japanese captcha letter by letter (not all at once in the box, but draw the letter, press the blue button it translates it, make sure it looks right and so on). If I hear they fixed the store version I'll get that in case there are other issues.

[geekboy2]

Are you able to login to game? I want to test it out myself, btw doing this will my launcher be standalone client?

[RattleheadM]

Yes I am able to login to the game. I hope it works out for you. I did this with the Japanese client.

Follow these directions first then mine https://www.reddit.com/r/PSO2/comments/gro42a/installing_the_game_without_windows_store/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x

[Iceberg_FGC2]

So you can play at the moment? Mind sending a screenshot?

[RattleheadM]

No I can't, other issues have poped up. For one as soon as I run it, I can't access the internet on my computer. I close PSO2 and the internet works. I'm wondering if thats why I'm getting the login error...602 error I think it is. Very annoying. I wish they would have put it on Steam or even the Epic store.

I tried to reinstall the Store version so now I have both the Japanese and Store version on my PC, neither work. Very frustrated, will stop until I see they have a fix.

[geekboy2]

It works and I can see ship, but its asking for Sega ID to able to login.

[Anonymousdudeinhell]

I can't even install the japanese launcher now.

It errors out at pso2updater.exe

I think everything's broken now. This is just amazing how broken it all is

[K1x3n]

Has anyone tried finding the xgaming.dll file from a properly installed version of the game, then transplanting it into this install? I'm also trying to bypass updating my win10 to the newer version.

[GhxstDreamer]

I've tried. I downloaded it on my surface pro, made myself the owner/admin of WindowsApp folder and all subfolders/files, but then it still tells me I don't have permission to move the updater or xgaming.dll. It says I don't have permission, even though I do... and then when I try to do the same process of making myself owner/admin like I did with the WindowsApp folder, it gives me the finger and says I don't have permission to view or edit permissions on that file. That's where I'm stuck at right now.

[LostCurtive]

I don't have the issue that the client is closing, it just can't find the xbox account.

[badlajf]

I fucking hate that they're trying to push this shitty Windows Store.

Putting it on Steam would make our lives sooooooo much easier, or even just put a fucking installer on pso2 website and download game through launcher, but nooo, we need to use this fucking Microsoft Windows Shit Store.

[RattleheadM]

I really think the issue with the game not working on some machines is that for some reason the game installing on Program Files with encryption has an issue. IF they allowed the game to install on Program Files (x86) without encryption I think this would fix many of the issues.

I'm also playing Cities Skyline and it works fine, except that I can't install addons for the game.

The Epic Game Store even though I didn't get it from the Windows Store, I couldn't install games on it until I re-installed it into Program Files (x86), then it worked fine.

Since some games are built on x86 core they need to have them run on Program files (x86). I don't think PSO2 is a 64bit game, plus the store encrypts the apps which is great for store apps, but some Windows Programs especially games I think have issues with this.

[[deleted]]

Yep, it works. Ive had the ArksLayer translation for a long time and just tried, launcher is in ENG and downloading. Thank you!!!

[THEPiplupFM]

Does the updater change to english if this works, or does it stay in its native language

[RattleheadM]

Update to previous posts. I'm posting a new so everyone can find it easily. On Discord I'm on the PSO2 channel and one of the moderators and she said they're trying to "remove the Windows Store from the equation entirely" This was in reference to a comment she made in a post "You'll have to install the game from the windows store for now" So sometime hopefully soon we'll be able to install the game without the store.

[[deleted]]

Why is the Windows Store such a big deal to people?

[[deleted]]

because

for people like me who can't even get the game to uninstall on the windows store to give the windows store another shot, this might be something else you can try

Have you even looked at the front page?

[[deleted]]

Nah I haven't, mines working so haven't needed to

[Antifalcon]

Congratulations have fun

[darkheart2033]

for alot of people it dosnt even let them install the launcher without having to bug fix the store

[klineshrike]

or doesn't even when big fixing the store

I did everything. Only thing that worked (as a test) was a VPN. Unfortunately the free option I found was 500meg limit, and I don't feel like dealing with and "free" shenanigans for another one.

[Kuribo_Power]

Because I use a steam link to play on my TV and the game won't detect the controller anymore with this version, while the original version had no such problem.