craze27

Hello all, as you may or may not know, I was having great issues trying to get GTA IV to play on my new Windows 8.1 computer. Well, I found this guide and used it and my game now works! I figured I would type it up and leave it here for you guys to use in case you had the same issue(s) that I had. I found this on the Steam website, but I don't remember the link for it. 
 
Enjoy!!
 
1.) Install GTA IV from Steam as normal.
 
2.) Try to launch the game, copy the CD Key, and let its dependencies, GFWL, SecuROM etc... Once this is complete, Rockstar Games Social Club will launch.
 
3.) Create an account if you do not already have one, then press Play, either one will work. Now, GTA IV should fail to launch, if so, read on, if not, you're good to go!
 
4.) Go to Programs & Features (Uninstall a Program) and uninstall the Games for Windows Live Redistributable, but ONLY this one.
 
5.) Install the following GFWL: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=201134
 
6.) Go to http://xbox.com/en-US/live and login with your Microsoft Account (Xbox login/GFWL login) Accept any new Terms of Service/Terms and Conditions
 
7.) Restart the system.
 
8.) Launch the Games for Windows LIVE app and login with your Windows ID when/if prompted to.
 
9.) Go to C:/Program Files (x86)/Steam/SteamApps/common/Grand Theft Auto IV/GTAIV
 
10.) Right click GTAIV.exe and go to Properties, then select the Compatibility tab.
 
11.) Select "Run this program in compatibility mode" and change it to, if necessary, to Windows 7. Also, select "Run as administrator"
 
12.) Reopen Steam and launch Grand Theft Auto IV. The Social Club window should appear and login again, selecting Play, online or offline, it doesn't matter. Your game should now load as normal and should work!
 
Note 1: Once you get past the Rockstar Symbols at the initial start up, the screen may remain black for a short period of time. THIS IS NORMAL!
 
Note 2: This is NOT my guide, I found it on Steam and I am simply reposting it here for the sake of others. I, NOR THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR MISTAKES THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT MAKE WHILE FOLLOWING THIS SETUP GUIDE! 
 
Note 3: I think the original author's name on Steam is Rage Valley, credit goes to him for this guide.