So I followed a 2019 version install guide,
I tried the method you suggested, but whenever I launch RPH while the normal/safemode window is up, it gets stuck on waiting for game to launch.
I also tried a method where I open GTAV story first, then run RPH. The game crashes to the normal/safemode window whenever I start RPH with the game already running.
FIXED***: the problem was my Avast Anti-Security. Thanks for the reply, the manual install was def the way to go. I disabled my Avast, and my firewall and the game runs.