Symptoms:
Upon opening the "Load Game" or "Free Build" menus, the list of files appears completely empty, even if save files exist on the drive.
Attempting to start a new game results in a black screen or an immediate crash back to the Main Menu.
Standard troubleshooting (reinstalling, running as Admin, or adding Windows Defender exceptions) does not resolve the issue.
Cause: Windows 11 Smart App Control (SAC)
The primary cause for this behavior on Windows 11 systems is often Smart App Control (SAC). This security feature is designed to block apps that are "untrusted" or "unsigned."
In some instances, SAC may incorrectly flag the game, preventing it from accessing the local hard drive (to read/write save files) or blocking necessary internet pings for DRM validation. Because this block happens at a deep system level, standard "Run as Administrator" privileges or folder exceptions are often bypassed.
Solution: Adjusting Smart App Control
To restore game functionality, you may need to disable Smart App Control. Please follow these steps:
Open the Start Menu and type "Windows Security", then press Enter.
Navigate to App & browser control in the left-hand sidebar.
Select Smart App Control settings.
Change the setting from On or Evaluation to Off.
[!IMPORTANT]
Note on Windows 11 SAC: Microsoft currently design Smart App Control so that once it is turned Off, it cannot be turned back on without a clean reinstallation of Windows. If you prefer not to turn it off permanently, ensure your game and all its components are fully updated, as newer signed patches may eventually be recognized by the "Evaluation" mode.