Windows 8.1 doesn't work with GTA 4 or any GFWL games

There's absolutely no way I can get this game to work on Windows 8.1. Does anyone know how? Research says I need to install a certain version of GFWL (the Marketplace), but I can't start that program without Windows Live Sign In Assistant, and there's no way I can seem to install that program. Just like tons of others it seems, the setup program won't start and there's no way around it. I was told Windows 8.1 was perfectly compatible with just about all games, yet there still seem to be a bunch of big titles that don't work with it (like anything that uses GFWL...).

Thats weird. I was playing Dead Rising 2 not long ago on Windows 8.1.

Just done a bog standard automatic update from the base, oldest version of GFWL.

Didn't have GFWL installed up until this point, for this game. Unless the game has been patched to not use GFWL, it won't seem to work for me at all, and I'm not the only one with this issue. I see tons of dead-end topics on Steam forums with people who have this issue.

Frankly, I'm well aware there are people out there who have gotten it to work. The point of this thread though is that I haven't, and I require help so that I can, and if you aren't helping - then you aren't helping :p

I was told by either gamefly or gmg customer service (can't remember where I bought it from) that GTA IV just doesn't work in 8.1, so I gave up trying.

GTA4 barely works on ANY system....

I got it working. For anyone who requires this help in the future...(for Steam Version)

1. Uninstall all previous GFWL versions (and Windows Live ID Sign In Assistant)
2. Download latest version of GFWL here
3. Don't bother trying to get GFWL to work (this where I was stuck, was convinced game wouldn't work because I couldn't log into GFWL, most instructions said to log in so I thought I couldn't progress) - start GTA 4 and update GFWL from within the game
4. Create commandline.txt in GTAIV folder and add two lines (-availablevidmem 4.0 ) and ( -norestrictions )

Bam, play.

This problem isn't exclusive to Windows 8.1, it can happen to Windows 7 too I guess - it just so happens I haven't attempted to play any GFWL games since it shut down.

@KHAndAnime: Lol this is why I bought Windows 7 instead of 8 for my PC gaming build.

In addition to those problems mentioned, I was having a very hard time to get the Sims 3 working on my step sister's computer which she had windows 8 on. I have tried all the solutions found on the web and the game still kept crashing. So, we got her windows 7 instead with the same computer specs... and bingo, everything works.

Windows 7 >>>>>>>>>>>> windows 8 for gaming.

Sure, you can try and fix the games... but it's TIME CONSUMING.... Not worth it. It took me hooourrrsss... to try and get that sims 3 to work.

EDIT: Oh you say it can happen on any operating system... well what I said is still somewhat relevant. And not to mention there are far more solutions on 7 than 8 on the web.

@sethman410: You're talking about old games.

Win 8.1 is the best gaming OS, FACT (can't believe I just said that)

No its not a fact, more games just work on 7 then 8 now that's a fact lol

Yes more games will work on the OS they were developed on.

My wife has Windows 8.1

I installed Sims 3 for her and pressed play... worked first go. It's not Win8 in your sister's case.

You beat me to it, but yeah. The bundled version of GFWL that comes with older games is incompatible with Win8 and 8.1 (I ran into this a year ago with Dark Souls). Just download the latest and you're good to go. For most games just the uninstall/reinstall is enough without having to make any tweaks in the game itself.

-Byshop

xliveless.dll is your friend. Kiss that GFWL goodbye

It seems to hate slower cpus.

Let's just say that with the switch from my phenom to this cpu (in sig) was a night and day difference. I was seeing single digits as the low on my phenom and maybe 20's as the high. It also only used about 18 - 25% of my gpu.
My lows are now in the high 40's and i can even run it at the res of 5760x1080 with the newest iCEnhancer and keep a steady 30fps with everything maxed. (single card to)

Maybe i'll give GTA IV another go with my new system

GTAV is around the corner, and probably (hopefully) will be a better port.

Jan 27th, eek!

you can thank all the euphoria and car physics for that

@FelipeInside: I think it's more like, it randomly works on any system. You could have two old similar spec systems, in one it works smooth and in the other it doesn't. Then you try other two recent similar spec systems and in one it runs super smooth and it the other it doesn't.

Basically it's like Watchdogs... :p

it works fine in windows 8.1, just uninstall GFWL that comes with GTA4 then download GFWL from Microsoft. PS just google your problem and there is always a fix.