Select the branch that matches what changed
The publisher documents two distinct startup situations. Disabling mods is a reversible isolation step for a crash after enabling many mods; SaveMenu.msc is a separate menu-view reset for a crash after the company logo.
| Observed trigger | Publisher's narrow check | Protect first |
|---|---|---|
| Crash started after enabling many mods | Open launcher Options and disable all mods | Record the active mod list so you can re-enable selectively later |
| Company logo appears, then game crashes | Back up and remove only Documents\Banished\SaveMenu.msc | Do not touch world/save files; the publisher describes this file as the last menu view |
| Neither symptom matches | Do not use these targeted steps as a general crash cure | Capture the full error and consult current storefront support |
References: Shining Rock Software: Banished Contact & Support
Use the least destructive sequence
Start with the reversible, symptom-matched path. The mod path does not require removing mod files, and the menu path should affect only the saved menu view described by the publisher.
- Note whether the failure began immediately after enabling mods or occurs after the company logo; copy any additional error text.
- For a mod-triggered crash, hold Ctrl while starting the game to bring up the launcher, open Options, and choose the publisher's disable-all-mods option.
- For a logo-then-crash symptom, close the game. Locate the Banished Documents folder and make a copy of SaveMenu.msc outside that folder before testing the publisher's deletion step.
- Remove only the original SaveMenu.msc if it is present, then launch again. Do not delete the Saves folder or other files as part of this check.
- If the same crash persists, restore the backed-up file or re-enable mods one at a time only after a clean baseline, then use the publisher or storefront support channel with the exact symptom and platform details.
References: Shining Rock Software: Banished Contact & Support · Banished Steam Community discussions (player-generated)
Legacy caveat and community reports
The support page is useful because it names precise symptoms and actions, but its associated requirements list Windows XP through Windows 8 and DirectX 9/11. It is not evidence of current Windows 10/11 or Linux/Proton support. Steam discussion posts can help compare a matching setup but remain user reports, not publisher-confirmed fixes.
References: Shining Rock Software: Banished system requirements · Banished Steam Community discussions (player-generated)
Before you play
- Trigger matched to the right branch (post-mod change vs logo-then-crash).
- Launcher opened with Ctrl only if needed, then all mods disabled using the publisher's option.
- SaveMenu.msc copied before any file change.
- Only the menu-view file considered; world saves left untouched.
- Legacy OS/platform limits acknowledged; no general Windows 11 or Proton fix claimed.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test whether many mods caused the crash?
Shining Rock says hold Ctrl as Banished starts to open the launcher, then use Options to disable all mods. This is a targeted test for a crash after enabling many mods.
Is SaveMenu.msc my town save?
The publisher describes it as the file storing the last menu view before quitting. This guide still recommends backing up that exact file and not deleting world saves.
Will deleting it fix any Banished crash?
No. The publisher ties the step to a game that displays the company logo and then crashes; it is not a universal crash procedure.
Are these current Windows 11 instructions?
No. They are legacy publisher guidance. Shining Rock's requirements page lists systems only through Windows 8, so current Windows compatibility is not established here.
Sources & revision notes
Editorial revision: November 6, 2026; not a gameplay test date. The reference notes identify source limits and version differences.
- Shining Rock Software: Banished Contact & Support (Official)
Publisher support page, checked November 6, 2026; the page is legacy guidance for the 2014 Windows game and is copyright 2021. It maps specific DLL/error messages to DirectX choices, gives the Ctrl-at-launch path to video settings, and documents narrow mod/logo-crash steps. It does not establish compatibility with current Windows releases, Proton, current GPU drivers or every storefront. Treat its instructions as symptom-specific legacy guidance, not generic modern Windows advice.
- Shining Rock Software: Banished system requirements (Official)
Publisher requirements page, checked November 6, 2026; its listed operating systems stop at Windows 8 and it lists DirectX 9.0c minimum / DirectX 11 recommended. Because this is old hardware guidance, it must not be used to claim support for Windows 10/11 or Linux/Proton.
- Banished Steam Community discussions (player-generated) (Community)
External player-authored reports, not official fixes. Treat community suggestions as clues only; match the exact error, game build, Windows version, GPU and mod state. Do not run scripts or delete files based on an unverified post.
November 6, 2026: drafted a two-symptom Banished startup triage from Shining Rock's legacy support page; no files, mods or launch behavior were tested.
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