1. Ensure that Controlled Folder Access under Windows Security, Virus & Threat Protection, Ransomware Protection is either turned Off, or that the game and EA AntiCheat are whitelisted from the Block History here. Also, that OneDrive is not synchronizing the Documents folder under its Choose Folders section.

2. Make sure you allowed the game's main components through the Windows Defender Firewall if prompted. If it did not prompt them, the following could necessitate adding them:

• BF2042.exe. (Install directory.)
  
• BF2042Trial.exe. (Install Directory.)
  
• EAAnticheat.GameServiceLauncher.exe. (Also in the game's install directory.)
  
• Both .exes under C:/Program Files/EA/AC/.
  
• The EA App in general.

3. Lastly, the most consistent solution I have found to make sure the game launches every time, in dealing with the annoying Infinite Startup Loading Screen bug:

• 1. Start Menu. Open the Settings app for Windows Settings.
  
• 2. In Settings, go to Display.
  
• 3. In Display settings, set scaling to 100% if you like, but more importantly, click on Advanced Scaling Settings under Scale and Layout.
  
• 4. MOST IMPORTANT: Turn off the Fix Scaling for Apps setting, also labeled as Let Windows try to Fix Apps so They're Not Blurry. This setting, when disabled, finally, at long last, seems to have solved the inconsistent first-time launching problem for me, in repeated instances as of initial testing.
  
• 5. You should be done. Try it today.

Note that Part 3 may only affect Windows 10 users, but they are still very, very plentiful, so naturally it is being kept. Supposedly Windows 11 deprecated the manipulative auto-scaling setting in favor of just using scaling percentage presets or typing in a manual percentage, but that is a small fix in an overall OS with far more widespread issues of power user unfriendliness.

This Steam Guide is a trimmed-down version of a larger, older Steam Guide found here. Give it a read-through if you like.
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3143834691

Also see this guide for how to make sure the game treats your Battle Pass purchases as fully owned within the in-game Store page. Reading it before purchasing the Ultimate Pack DLC is advised.
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3194132275

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