If Saints Row 2 crashes in Windows 7 as soon as you try to start the game, this guide will try to show you how to fix it.

This guide does not help with any other types of crashes.

1. Open Windows Explorer
   
   
2. Navigate to the folder where Saints Row 2 is installed on your computer.
   
   In most cases, it will be in C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Saints Row 2
   You can copy and paste the path above into the address bar of Windows Explorer
   
   
3. Find the program file SR2_pc.exe
   
   
4. Right-click on SR2_pc.exe and select Properties from the pop-up menu
   
   
5. In the SR2_pc.exe Properties dialog, click on the Compatibility tab.
   
   
6. Make it look like this:
   
   
   
   
   • Check Run this program in compatibility mode for:
     
     
   • Verify that the drop-down compatibility mode is set to Windows XP (Service Pack 3) which is usually the default
     
     
   • Check Disable visual themes
     
     
   • Check Disable desktop composition
     
     
   • Check Run this program as an administrator
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Click the OK button to close the dialog

In most cases, that will solve the instant crash problem. You should now be ready to start up Saints Row 2 without instantly crashing.

If you still experience bugs, I recommend the "Gentlemen of the Row" mod, which fixes many of the bugs in the game. Plus, it changes the button graphics if you're using an XBox-style controller to play.

Now go do some murdering.