For some reason when I click 'launch game' I see the witcher symbol and a tray icon with a notification in the corner then it disappears and puts me back to the same startup menu without ever launching the game. What gives? I have the gog version.

I've seen some people who realized their antivirus/security programs did not allow the game to actually do a complete install, and thus the reason for why they have problems, some of which relate to having a launcher that doesn't seem to work.

If you can't think of anything else, you can always try disabling those and reinstalling.

Thanks. I could try that. However I just discovered I can run the game in windowed mode - so that must rule out an incomplete installation?

What video card are you using?

Geforce GTX 470

I'm installing the new beta drivers now to see if that changes anything.

And it didn't. Still no luck. Kinda don't want to play it windowed.

That's a very strange issue. Are you trying to run at some super weird resolution?

No, tried the usual 2560x1600 - my monitor native, which never gives me a problem. Also tried 1920x1200. Only windowed worked. I'm reinstalling now with Avast disabled.

I had the same issue, I had to change from my native resolution to 1920x1080 and the game resolution to the same. It worked like a charm after that.

That was the solution for me! thanks, now I can actually get to the in game menu, hopefully all works from here.

However it's rather unacceptable that there is a bug preventing 2560x1600 for some/all.