Cannot start up after recent update-SOLVED

No mods, no CC, no tray files, no save files. Repaired and re-installed, and issue still exists.

Attached is the error that pops up when I try to start the game. Any help please??? I am on Windows 11

EDIT: so this is what worked for me from a 7 year old thread i've found. i'm keeping this up in case anyone else has this issue and isn't sure what to do: