Launcher update today causing problems, how to fix
by Adam Holisky 
Sep 18th 2010 at 5:00PM
To solve this, go into the task manager (you can get to that by right-clicking on the bottom taskbar on your screen and selecting "Start Task Manager," or by pressing the control, shift and escape keys all at once) and end any and all of the following processes in the "Processes" tab:
- WoW.exe
- Launcher.exe
- BackgroundDownloader.exe
- Repair.exe
- WowError.exe
The full Blizzard statement after the break.
Waiting for files to close...A Tools patch was released this afternoon, which includes new versions of:
Blizzard Updater
BackgroundDownloader
Launcher
If you are getting the message "Waiting for Files to Close...", please try using Task Manager to End one of the Processes, as described below.
This is from our sticky, 3.3.x Patch common issues
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=18971780462&sid=1#2
6. The patcher is waiting for files to close.
This issue happens if one or more of your game files are open. Windows locks it so you can't overwrite it. You need to close them first before the patcher can continue. Try hitting Control+Alt+Delete < or Ctrl + Shift + Esc > on your computer. Make sure none of these are running in the Processes tab:
WoW.exe
Launcher.exe
BackgroundDownloader.exe
Repair.exe
WowError.exe
If any of those are running, try ending the task. The patch should continue afterward.
____________________________________________________________________
Oftentimes, a Selective Startup can help too:
Hit the Windows Key + R, and type:
msconfig
Hit Enter or OK.
In the General tab:
1. Choose Selective Startup
2. Disable (uncheck) Load Startup Items
3. Click OK and Reboot
Blizzard Updater
BackgroundDownloader
Launcher
If you are getting the message "Waiting for Files to Close...", please try using Task Manager to End one of the Processes, as described below.
This is from our sticky, 3.3.x Patch common issues
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=18971780462&sid=1#2
6. The patcher is waiting for files to close.
This issue happens if one or more of your game files are open. Windows locks it so you can't overwrite it. You need to close them first before the patcher can continue. Try hitting Control+Alt+Delete < or Ctrl + Shift + Esc > on your computer. Make sure none of these are running in the Processes tab:
WoW.exe
Launcher.exe
BackgroundDownloader.exe
Repair.exe
WowError.exe
If any of those are running, try ending the task. The patch should continue afterward.
____________________________________________________________________
Oftentimes, a Selective Startup can help too:
Hit the Windows Key + R, and type:
msconfig
Hit Enter or OK.
In the General tab:
1. Choose Selective Startup
2. Disable (uncheck) Load Startup Items
3. Click OK and Reboot
Filed under: Bugs, Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Susano Sep 18th 2010 5:11PM
mine just says "unauthorized download"
Any ideas?
wscotthinds Sep 18th 2010 5:14PM
Same. Unauthorized download and it won't download or let me in game.
Susano Sep 18th 2010 5:14PM
never mind, I had to start the wow.exe to download the patch from there and it worked
Fox Sep 18th 2010 5:20PM
Launch the game from wow.exe instead of the launcher.
Discount_Llama Sep 18th 2010 5:25PM
Yea, launching from WoW.exe in your World of Warcraft Folder will allow you in.
Seems to be a problem with the launcher requesting and older patch, and that not being available.
Slaight Sep 18th 2010 6:58PM
I right clicked on the WoW icon and selected "run as administrator". it worked for me after that.
nieboh Sep 18th 2010 7:07PM
Yeah, I get the unauthorized download too. I can do the work around by going straight to the wow.exe but I'd rather it go through the launcher.
I manually clicked on the blizzard downloader and now it's in the process of downloading a monstrous 3.97 GB file "WoW-3.3.x-to4.0.0-patch-NA-Stage-2".
I'm hoping that after it downloads this, the launcher problems will fix themselves. If not, I'll do the ol' "remove launcher from folder, run repair, cross fingers and hope it works" trick.
Soferan Sep 18th 2010 5:16PM
I'm not getting that error but i am getting an error after the installation is finished. The Blizzard Downloader says "the download is not authorized"
Soferan Sep 18th 2010 5:22PM
Never mind just did the wow.exe like susano
Edymnion Sep 18th 2010 5:17PM
I've got a different issue. It downloads the first patch, the new downloader opens up (its all red and black) and the notice in the middle says "This download is not authorized" and just sits there doing nothing.
Edymnion Sep 18th 2010 5:18PM
So try opening the wow client directly instead of going through the loader, I'll give that a try.
Hempia Sep 18th 2010 5:23PM
I'm getting the same message as Soferan. I still cannot get into the game.
Joerendous Sep 18th 2010 5:23PM
Mine is telling me I need additional pylons.
Thanatovsky Sep 19th 2010 5:34PM
Consider yourself lucky. I got "Nuclear Launch Detected."
tricia cedars Sep 18th 2010 5:25PM
This is happening on Mac OS as well.
Daco Sep 18th 2010 9:08PM
Same here. It stalled out at the "waiting for files to close..." prompt. I quit the background downloader (visible in the dock) and things then proceeded just fine.
killercactiii Sep 18th 2010 5:27PM
Why is my Launcher trying to download "wow-2.1.1.1897-enUS-tools-patch.exe?" It's telling me "this download is not authorized." Gee, I wonder why?
Hone Melgren Sep 20th 2010 12:54AM
It's trying to update the tools (ie Background Downloader.exe)
Hempia Sep 18th 2010 5:30PM
Press the restart button to exit World of Warcraft and download the patch. I restart. It attempts again and the "download is not authorized".
So far, none of the fixes suggested work for me.
And now I have to use a password to post on this site yet I can't find a place to User Control Panel to update it to one I'm more comfortable with.
The things that make you go hmmmmmm...
NighttimeApparition Sep 18th 2010 7:15PM
If you go to joystiq, log in with same password, choose a screen name (if required) then you should be able to find and change your password for this site.
Recently did it myself.