for whatever reason after I have restored my game, when I click on gtavlauncher.exe to launch the game (steam) I get an error code stating that it was not launched via steam client.... well, I have alwways launched via that exe and now all of a sudden it wants to not work..

help anyone?

my documents Rockstar games launcher.log info

what about this:
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.002] [DISPLAY] Using DPI 96
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.065] [DISPLAY] File version 10000:36d0001 (for D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto V\GTA5.exe)
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.127] [DISPLAY] File version 10002:8 (for C:\Program Files\Rockstar Games\Social Club\socialclub.dll)
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.190] [DISPLAY] File version 10000:3960001 (for D:\SteamLibrary\steamapps\common\Grand Theft Auto V\GTAVLauncher.exe)
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.206] [DISPLAY] Version: |1.0.877.1|1.2.0.8|1.0.918.1|FSP
[2016-12-05 16:50:15.706] [DISPLAY] OS version: Major: 6, Minor: 2, Build: 9200, Platform: 2
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] ************************************************************************
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] * Setting error condition
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] * Category:  1 (ERROR_CATEGORY_LAUNCHER)
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] * Code:     115 (LAUNCHER_ERR_STEAM_NO_STEAM)
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] * Extra:     The game was not launched via the Steam Client
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] * Localised: Launcher error.  Code: 115 The game was not launched via the Steam Client
[2016-12-05 16:50:16.268] [ ERROR ] ************************************************************************
[2016-12-05 16:50:55.920] [DISPLAY] Uninitializing.

Well there is your problem. If you bought it via Steam, Steam is your DRM. You need to use Steam to launch it. 

 

I'm fairly certain you can create a shortcut from steam, however.