Alex Ruben
How To Install Any Game from FitGirl Repack Successfully in 2025
Installing games from FitGirl Repack can sometimes be a bit of a headache, especially when errors like ISDone.dll or Unarc.dll pop up out of nowhere. It’s frustrating, and you’re not alone in feeling like Windows is making this harder than it should be. The trick is to get the installation environment just right, so these errors get avoided or at least minimized. Doing things the right way not only avoids corrupt installs but also keeps your system from blocking or deleting parts of the game later on. So, this guide walks through a pretty safe method—covering the usual pitfalls—so your game can actually run instead of being stuck in limbo.
How to Fix Common FitGirl Repack Installation Issues in 2025
Ensure Your System is Up-to-Date and Ready
First off, a basic step but often overlooked—make sure Windows is fully updated. Of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary, but keeping it current means fewer conflicts with newer files or drivers. Check for updates in Settings > Windows Update. Also, confirm you’ve got enough disk space—at least double the size of the game, just to be safe. If your disk is nearly full, it could cause installation errors or corrupt unpacking.
Step 1: Disable Windows Defender Real-Time Protection Temporarily
This is usually the go-to cause of ISDone.dll or Unarc.dll errors—Windows security scanning during install or unpacking files can trip up the process. To do this:
- Press Windows + S, type Windows Security, and open it.
- Navigate to Virus & threat protection.
- Click on Manage settings below.
- Toggle off Real-time protection, then confirm if it pops up a prompt. (Note: On some setups, this disables almost immediately, on others, it takes a few seconds.)
Why? Because Windows Defender can regularly block or quarantine parts of the unpacked files, causing the install to stop or corrupt. On my own setup, I’ve seen installs fail the first time but go smoothly after disabling real-time protection. If you’re doing this for a longer session, just remember to re-enable it afterward for safety.
Step 2: Launch the Installer Properly & Run as Administrator
Double-click the setup file (probably in your Downloads folder), but it’s better to run it with admin rights—right-click, choose Run as administrator. It helps avoid permissions issues that can lead to incomplete installs or DLL errors. Make sure to select your language, then hit OK. Sometimes, on some systems, this step makes the difference between a clean install and one plagued by errors.
Step 3: Tweak Installation Options & Make Sure Dependencies Are Correct
During install, check your system specs—or just keep in mind:
- If RAM is under 8GB, pick the minimum recommended options—more memory can help with unpacking large files.
- Close background applications to give the installer maximum resources; honestly, this reduces clicking ‘Next’ for ages and potential crash points.
- On the install location screen, choose a folder like C:\Games\YourGame. Sometimes, installing to a folder with spaces or special characters causes issues later, so I tend to stick with common paths.
- Uncheck optional language packs unless you need them—more files to unpack, more chances for errors.
- Make sure DirectX or other dependencies install correctly—fitgirl repacks usually include installers for these, but if something’s missing, it can cause game launch issues later.
Pro tip: If your PC has a slow HDD, consider installing on a faster SSD if possible. It might help with general loading times and reduce read errors during unpacking.
Step 4: Finish the Installation & Avoid Post-Install Errors
Once the installer says it’s done, uncheck options related to launching the game immediately—sometimes the game shortcut created doesn’t want to work without proper setup. Click Finish. If you see a pop-up asking to open the game, ignore it for now.
Step 5: Add the Game Folder to Windows Defender Exclusions
This step is kind of crucial. Without exclusion, Windows Defender (or your third-party antivirus) might delete or block files during gameplay, causing crashes or DLL errors. To do this:
- Re-open Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- Scroll down to Add or remove exclusions and click it.
- Click Add an exclusion and pick Folder.
- Navigate to your game install folder (e.g.,
C:\Games\YourGame) and select it. Done.
Here’s the weird part—on some machines, this step is optional, on others, it’s straight-up necessary. Because of course, Windows has to complicate things.
Step 6: Re-Enable Real-Time Protection
With the folder now excluded, go back to Virus & threat protection > Manage settings and turn real-time protection back on. This keeps your system safe, but now the game files are bypassed from scanning, which helps prevent conflicts.
Step 7: Launch the Game & Troubleshoot Common Issues
Fire up the shortcut or executable in your install folder. If it doesn’t launch or crashes, check these quick things:
- Run the game as administrator—right-click and select Run as administrator.
- Verify that your antivirus or Windows Defender didn’t block any game files—check quarantine or blocked items.
- Sometimes, a quick reboot after setting everything up helps Windows refresh permissions and clears stuck DLL errors.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
If errors like ISDone.dll or Unarc.dll keep showing up, it could be because the files are corrupt or incomplete. Redownloading the repack from a reputable source, or even using a different mirror, might help. Also, check your RAM and disk health—bad sectors or faulty memory can cause unpacking failures.
Wrap-up
Following these steps, you should be able to get past the most common hurdles when installing FitGirl Repack games. It’s not a perfect system, but it works for most setups. Just remember—disabling protections temporarily, setting exclusions, and running installers as admin goes a long way. The rest is mainly patience and watching out for small errors. Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone.
Summary
- Update Windows and make sure disk space is enough
- Disable real-time protection temporarily and run installer as admin
- Choose sensible install options, avoid unnecessary language packs
- Add game folder to Windows exclusions
- Re-enable real-time protection after setup
- Launch game with admin rights and troubleshoot DLL errors if needed
FAQs
What causes DLL errors during installation?
Usually, Windows Defender or antivirus software blocking files during setup or unpacking. Corrupt downloads can also be to blame.
Can I do this on Windows 11 too?
Yep, all of this applies to Windows 10 and 11. The interface is a little different, but settings are basically the same.
What if the game still doesn’t launch after setup?
Double-check that exclusions are set correctly, run the game as administrator, and make sure your drivers are updated. Sometimes, a reboot helps clear stubborn DLL issues.