Alex Ruben
How To Resolve Unknown File Version Error in Rematch Launch for RuntimeClient-WinGDK-shipping.exe
If you’re messing around with Rematch on your Xbox or PC and keep running into that annoying “unknown file version” error, you’re not alone. Sometimes it pops up because some files get corrupted, or maybe your game or system files are just out of sync. It’s kind of frustrating, but there are a couple of tricks that usually do the trick — whether it’s a quick reinstall or tweaking some files. Doing these steps can hopefully save you hours of frustration and get you back to gaming without that error blocking your way.
How to Fix the Rematch Launch Error in Windows or Xbox
Method 1: Completely Uninstall, then Reinstall the Game
This method helps because it forces a refresh of all game files, replacing anything corrupt or missing. It’s kind of basic but effective. Make sure to uninstall via your launcher or system settings, and then grab the latest version from the store or your library. Sometimes, installing on a different drive can help, especially if your main drive is running low on space or has some issues.
- If on Steam:
- Right-click on the game in Library.
- Select Manage.
- Click on Uninstall.
- If on Xbox or Windows Store:
- Head to My Library or Apps & Features.
- Find Rematch and click the three-dot menu.
- Select Uninstall.
- After uninstalling, reinstall the game. If possible, pick a different drive than the previous one, in case the old drive has issues. For example, install it on D: or E:.
This often clears out corrupted files, which might be causing that runtime error. On some setups, it might require a reboot before the game runs smoothly after reinstallation.
Method 2: Decompress or Disable Content Compression in Windows
If reinstalling didn’t fix the problem, maybe the game files are compressed or wonky in a way that causes the error. Windows sometimes automatically compresses files to save space, but that can break games if they expect uncompressed data. So, checking and unchecking that compression might help.
- Go to File Explorer and navigate to your game folder, usually here:
C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\{your game folder}\. For Xbox games, it might be in Microsoft Store folders or your WindowsApps directory, which requires special permissions — so be careful or use an admin account. - Right-click on the game folder or the main game directory, then select Properties.
- Switch to the Advanced tab.
- Look for the checkbox labeled Compress content to save disk space.
- If it’s checked, uncheck it, then click OK. You might need admin rights for this.
This makes sure the files are uncompressed and accessible in a normal way. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary. After doing this, you might want to uninstall and reinstall the game again, just to make sure the files are applied correctly.
On some setups, this method fixes the “unknown file version” error because the game can’t properly read compressed files. Again, rebooting after these changes isn’t a bad idea. Sometimes, the game or system just needs a fresh start.
Extra Tips & Common Pitfalls
- Double-check you’ve got enough free space on the drive where the game lives. Low disk space can mess stuff up.
- Make sure your Windows and Xbox/Steam clients are fully updated. Outdated clients can cause weird errors.
- Check if there are patches or updates for Rematch or whatever game version you’re running. Sometimes, developers release fixes for these kinds of issues.
Wrap-up
Following this double-whammy approach — uninstall/reinstall and tweaking file compression — should help clear up the “unknown file version” error. Sometimes, it’s just corrupt files, other times it’s Windows misinterpreting compressed data. Keep in mind, different setups can be finicky, so don’t be surprised if one method works on one machine but not another. Good luck, and hopefully, this gets you back in the game faster.
Summary
- Uninstall and reinstall the game, preferably on a different drive.
- Check and disable Compress content to save disk space in the game folder.
- Ensure your system and game clients are up-to-date.
- Keep an eye on free disk space and patch notes.
Final thoughts
These steps aren’t always perfect, but they cover the most common causes of this error. If problems persist, reaching out to the official support forums or looking for community tweaks can help. Fingers crossed this helps someone cut down that frustrating error and gets the game running smoothly again.