Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix (2026)

Quick Fix for Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition Crashes & Black Screen: Over 90% of startup crashes, black screens, and missing DLL errors in Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition (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 Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition (Latest v2026 Build)

Common Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition Errors & Proven Solutions

Quick Game Overview & Verification Verified 100% Working

Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition Crash on Startup, Black Screen, Missing DLL & Controller Fix is a PC , Adventure game for Windows. This tested release features v2026 with an estimated download size of 5.29 GB. Pre-installed, DRM-free, verified clean, and ready to play offline with full gamepad support.

Platform
Windows
Build / Version
v2026
Download Size
5.29 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 Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition as a Non-Steam Game and enable Steam Input for Xbox/PlayStation/Switch Pro controllers.

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

Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition – 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 Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition (Latest v2026 Build), check these default desktop directories:

Desktop PlatformDefault Save Data & Config DirectoryBackup / Reset Notes
Windows 10 / 11 (x64)%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\{Through_the_Woods_Collectors_Edition}\Saves\ or %APPDATA%\{Through_the_Woods_Collectors_Edition}\Copy the folder before applying a new patch or trainer update.
macOS (Apple Silicon M1–M4 / Intel)~/Library/Application Support/Through_the_Woods_Collectors_Edition/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 – Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition

Frequently Asked Questions – Through the Woods: Collector’s Edition (Latest v2026 Build)

Is Through the Woods: Collector's Edition completely free?

Yes. This download is free and won't cost you anything. If you enjoy the game and want to support the developers, you can purchase it through GOG.

How do I install Through the Woods: Collector's Edition?

Click the download button, wait for the UploadHaven redirect, and download the .zip file. Extract it with 7-Zip or the Windows extractor, open the folder, run the setup application, accept the EULA, and launch the game from the desktop shortcut.

What is included in the Collector's Edition?

The Collector's Edition includes the base game, a digital artbook with over 30 pages of concept art, and a 30-track original soundtrack composed by Daniel Wakefield.

What are the system requirements?

You'll need Windows 7, 8, or 10, a dual-core 2.8 GHz processor, 4 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 760 or 960 (or equivalent with 2 GB VRAM), DirectX 11, and 10 GB of available space.

Is the version number confirmed?

The v2017.06.15 version is estimated from the description and file naming. Treat it as a reference point rather than a confirmed patch level.

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, Adventure 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.