Alex Ruben
How To Fix Setup.exe Not Found Error in FitGirl Repack (2025)
If you’ve gone through the hassle of downloading a FitGirl Repack but keep hitting the infamous “setup.exe not found” error, you’re not alone. This is one of those weird issues that pop up mainly because antivirus software sometimes mistakes the setup file for malware, or maybe the extraction process went sideways. Sometimes, files get quarantined, or the download itself gets corrupted, leaving you stuck. This guide is about tossing out all the guesswork and walking through concrete steps to recover that missing setup file so you can finally install your game. Expect some fiddling with Windows Security settings, but once you get past that, it’s usually smooth sailing.
How to Fix the Setup.exe Not Found Error for FitGirl Repack in 2025
Access Windows Security and Check Quarantined Files
This helps because Windows Security (or your antivirus) might have flagged and quarantined the setup file, thinking it’s a threat. On some machines, the quarantine happens silently and messes up your installation process. So, first, open Windows Security by clicking on the Search Menu and typing Windows Security. Once open, go to Virus & threat protection. Under there, click Protection history — this is where Windows logs what it took action on. You’ll probably see the setup.exe file listed as quarantined. If that’s the case, selecting it and hitting Restore might bring it back to where it belongs. Word of warning: on some setups, files get moved to quarantine just once, and on others, you might see a ton of related files flagged. Restoring is usually the right move if you trust the source.
Temporarily Disable Real-Time Protection
This is kind of sketchy, but sometimes Windows’ built-in shield gets in the way during extraction or setup—especially with copied or cracked files. Disabling Real-time protection creates a safe zone for your installer to run. To do this, head back to Virus & threat protection and hit Manage settings. Flip the switch off. Now, run the setup again. Usually, this only takes a minute, and it’s more about avoiding false positives without totally turning off your security for good.
Just remember to turn it back on after finishing the setup. It’s about striking a balance—because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary.
Re-Download or Re-Extract if Files Are Missing or Corrupted
If the file was never quarantined but still can’t be found, consider the possibility that the extraction didn’t work right. Sometimes a password-protected ZIP or RAR that didn’t extract completely can cause missing files. Try re-downloading the repack from a trusted source—preferably one that provides checksums. Use a tool like 7-Zip for extraction, as it handles large archives better and sometimes detects errors early. Once re-extracted, check for setup.exe again before doing anything else.
Add the Game Folder to Exclusions
If you’re planning to reinstall or re-extract, and you notice antivirus still keeps interfering, adding the folder to Windows Security exclusions is a clever move. Go to Virus & threat protection and find Add or remove exclusions. Click that, then “Add an exclusion” > “Folder”. Browse to your game’s folder—a typical path might be C:\Games\YourGameFolder. Selecting that folder will tell Windows Security to just leave it alone from now on. That way, subsequent re-extractions or updates won’t get blocked automatically.
Note: Remember to re-enable real-time protection afterward to keep things safe.
Re-enable Real-Time Protection and Final Checks
Once the setup’s finally installed and you’re ready to move forward, turn real-time protection back on from Manage settings. It’s easy to forget and leave it off, which could expose your system to actual threats. Do a quick scan after re-enabling, just to be safe. Also, double-check that the setup.exe isn’t lurking in your quarantine anymore, and that you’ve excluded the correct folder. Sometimes, a quick reboot after these changes helps settle everything.
On some setups, the initial attempt might fail, but after a reboot and rechecking the folder, the files show up just fine. Weird, but definitely worth the extra step.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
To keep things smooth:
- Always peek into your antivirus logs if things get quarantined repeatedly—sometimes it’s just false alarms.
- If you’re comfortable, consider temporarily disabling other security suites besides Windows Security—some third-party AVs are even more aggressive.
- Download from reputable sources. Corruption during download can also mess up the setup file, so verify hashes if possible.
Wrap-up
Getting that elusive setup.exe back isn’t too complicated once Windows Security’s role is understood. Restoring files, tweaking protection settings, and re-downloading if needed usually does the trick. Expect a bit of trial and error—especially if Windows gets paranoid or files aren’t extracted properly. Once everything’s done, your game should install without a hitch. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut down the frustration. Good luck!
Summary
- Check if Windows Security quarantined setup.exe and restore if needed.
- Temporarily turn off real-time protection to avoid false positives.
- Re-extract or re-download the repack if files seem missing or corrupted.
- Add your game folder to Windows Security exclusions to prevent future issues.
- Re-enable real-time protection once done.