Re: Game failing to launch. Windows flagging TS4_Launcher_x64.exe as Trojan

Platform: PC (Windows 11)

After the recent Sims 4 update, Windows Defender detected TS4_Launcher_x64.exe as Trojan:Win32/Phonzy.A!ml and quarantined the file.

Since then, The Sims 4 has been unable to launch. Pressing Play in the EA App starts a repair instead of launching the game. The repair completes successfully, but the Play button returns to Repair or the game still fails to launch.

I have:

Repaired the game.

Reinstalled The Sims 4.

Reinstalled the EA App.

Cleared the EA App cache.

Deleted and recreated the Game\Bin folder.

Confirmed TS4_x64.exe is digitally signed by Electronic Arts.

Confirmed TS4_Launcher_x64.exe is not digitally signed.

Tested on two Windows user accounts with the same result.

Smart App Control blocks TS4_Launcher_x64.exe.

Expected result:

The game launches normally.

Actual result:

The EA App repeatedly repairs the game or the launcher is blocked.