Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026)

Quick Fix for Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection Crashes & Black Screen: Over 90% of startup crashes, black screens, and missing DLL errors in Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection (Latest v2026 Build) are resolved by installing both vc_redist.x64.exe and vc_redist.x86.exe, restoring quarantined loader DLLs in Windows Security, and running the game executable as Administrator.

→ Download Clean Verified Build of Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection (Latest v2026 Build)

Common Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection Errors & Proven Solutions

Quick Game Overview & Verification Verified 100% Working

Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix is a PC , Strategy game for Windows. This tested release features v2026 with an estimated download size of 2.12 GB. Pre-installed, DRM-free, verified clean, and ready to play offline with full gamepad support.

Platform
Windows
Build / Version
v2026
Download Size
2.12 GB
File Integrity
SHA-256 Passed
Issue / Error MessageRoot CauseStep-by-Step Fix
Crash on Startup / Silent ExitMissing Visual C++ Runtime or Admin privilegesInstall VC++ 2015–2022 (x86 & x64) and enable Run this program as an administrator in Properties → Compatibility.
Missing MSVCP140.dll / VCRUNTIME140.dllCorrupted Microsoft C++ runtime librariesReinstall the official Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package and reboot your PC.
missing steam_api64.dll / emp.dllWindows Defender quarantined the offline loaderOpen Windows Security → Protection History, restore the quarantined file, and whitelist the game folder.
Black Screen with Audio PlayingFullscreen resolution or overlay conflictPress Alt + Enter to switch to windowed mode, disable Discord/GeForce overlays, and update GPU drivers.
Controller Not WorkingSteam Input or XInput device priorityAdd Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection as a Non-Steam Game and enable Steam Input for Xbox/PlayStation/Switch Pro controllers.

Related Guides: Main Download Page | Installation Guide | System Requirements

Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection – Windows 10/11 & macOS Save File & Configuration Paths

When backing up local profiles, transferring progress between a Windows Desktop rig and a MacBook Pro/Air, or resetting corrupted graphics settings for Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection (Latest v2026 Build), check these default desktop directories:

Desktop PlatformDefault Save Data & Config DirectoryBackup / Reset Notes
Windows 10 / 11 (x64)%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\{Sword_of_the_Stars_Complete_Collection}\Saves\ or %APPDATA%\{Sword_of_the_Stars_Complete_Collection}\Copy the folder before applying a new patch or trainer update.
macOS (Apple Silicon M1–M4 / Intel)~/Library/Application Support/Sword_of_the_Stars_Complete_Collection/For CrossOver/Whisky bottles, check drive_c/users/crossover/AppData/ inside the bottle container.
SteamOS / Linux Desktop (Proton)~/.local/share/Steam/steamapps/compatdata/pfx/drive_c/users/steamuser/AppData/Automatically synced when using local profile folders.

Release Metadata Summary – Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection

Frequently Asked Questions – Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection (Latest v2026 Build)

Is Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection completely free?

Yes. The download on this page is free and the file size is 2.12 GB. If you enjoy the game, the listing links to the official GOG store page where you can support the developers.

How do I install Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection?

Click the download button to reach UploadHaven, wait 5 seconds, and click the blue download button. Extract the .zip with 7-Zip or the Windows extractor, run the setup application, accept the EULA, and launch the game from the desktop shortcut.

What are the system requirements?

Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, or 10; a 1.5 GHz Intel processor or equivalent; 2 GB RAM; a DirectX 9 compliant video card with 128 MB RAM; and 3 GB of available disk space.

How many factions and technologies are in the game?

There are four playable factions — humans, Hivers, Tarkas, and Liir — each with different methods of traveling between stars. The tech tree includes more than 150 technologies to unlock.

What is the exact version number of this download?

The listing does not publish a specific build number. Any version figure should be treated as an estimate; the confirmed details are the 2.12 GB file size and Windows installer.

Key Features & Highlights

  • Full Pre-Installed Release: Ready to play immediately upon extraction—no third-party setup or installer required.
  • All Latest Updates & Patches: Fully updated to the latest build with performance optimizations, bug fixes, and bonus content.
  • Dynamic PC Games, Strategy Gameplay: Deep progression systems, responsive mechanics, and varied difficulty curves.
  • High-Fidelity Audio & Visuals: Polished textures, smooth framerates, and rich sound design optimized for modern PC hardware.
  • Verified Clean & Safe: 100% verified files free from bloatware, spyware, or intrusive background processes.