Update to original post:

The login issue reverted to its original state :(
...but I seemed to have found a permanent fix :)

With a couple changes the game was running perfect again.

Some folks on the Internet advised uninstalling the entire game.  Others recommended uninstalling all Direct X clients and only installing the 9.0 version.  This is what worked for me:

1. Uninstall the Games for Windows client from the uninstaller in Control Panel > Programs and Features.  If installed, also uninstall any related Windows Live clients.
2. Restart the computer.  This step is very important.
3. Download the latest Games for Windows client:
   http://www.xbox.com/en-US/live/pc/downloadclient
4. Install the new Games for Windows client.

“The program can’t start because wldlog.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix problem”

The final steps:

     5.  Download the latest Windows Essentials client:
          http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-live/essentials

     6.  Install the Windows Essentials application.  I only installed the bare minimum; no photo gallery or other options.

After I had installed Windows Essentials and attempted to launch Games for Windows from the Start menu I received a logon error.  I was sure I entered my gamer tag properly but the client continued to reject it.  Before I threw in the towel I attempted to launch Arkham City one last time.

To my surprise everything worked perfectly.  I was able to launch Arkham City and was immediately logged onto the game when I hit start.  All my previous progress was saved and ready.  I also tested the concept with Arkham Asylum.  No problems with the other game either.  It's now been 3 weeks without further problems.  I consider the problem solved.

P.S.  This post has been surprisingly popular.   It will be a big favor if you click the Google+ in the right hand column.  Thanks for your help!  -SMJ

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Published on 6/1/2013
by Steven Jordan

Installed the Windows Batman Arkham game on Windows 8 for my son ;) over the weekend. After game was launched in Steam we received an error message "no profile" and "not signed into Games for Windows Live".  

I found many others with the same problem on Google; but no simple solution. I also found many others had similar problems with their GFWL updates.  GFWL can run great on Windows 8.  Hopefully this easy fix will help some family gamers:



There seems to be a permission issue with Games for Windows Live (GFWL) running with Steam in Windows 8.  When Steam launches the GFWL client, the Win8 User Access Control (UAC)  prevents the GFWL from running with the necessary permissions.  To resolve the issue, change the GFWL shortcuts and executable to run as "Administrator".

1. Browse to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Games for Windows - LIVE\Client\"
2. Right click on "GFWLClient.exe" and left click on Properties.
3. Click on the Compatibility Tab from the GFWLClient.exe properties.
4. Check "Run this program as an administrator" and click OK.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the GFWLive.exe program in the same directory. 

For addition accessibility, change the permissions for the "Games for Windows Marketplace" shortcut in the Start Menu:

1.  Browse to "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Microsoft Games for Windows Marketplace"
2. Right click on the "Games for Windows Marketplace" short-cut.
3. Left click on "Properties".
4. Click on the "Advanced" button.
5. Check "Run as administrator" and click "OK".

Running programs as administrator should be discouraged.  The manual workaround is to manually run the "Games for Windows Marketplace" from "Start".  This is accomplished by:

1. Hold the "Shift" button down and right clicking on the "Games for Windows Marketplace" icon.
2. Choose "Run as Administrator" to launch the GFWL client with temporary elevated privileges.
3. Launch Batman in Steam after the GFWL client is running.

The last option is to disable the UAC from "Users" within the "Control Panel".  N.B. Disabling the UAC puts the PC and all of its data at risk.  If the UAC is disabled there is a strong likelihood the PC will become compromised.

HTPC Life Windows 8