Paste them into the main game directory where the .exe is located. Select "Replace all files in destination" when prompted. Whitelist the Game in Windows Defender
Third-party overlays are notorious for crashing the EMPRESS crack. These tools try to "hook" into the game process at the same time as the crack, causing a terminal conflict. Close MSI Afterburner and RivaTuner. Disable Discord Overlay. Turn off Steam Overlay (if applicable). Disable GeForce Experience In-Game Overlay. Check Hardware Compatibility (D3D12 Errors)
The first step is ensuring the EMPRESS CrackFix files are properly installed. A common mistake is simply dragging the folder over without overwriting existing files. Download the verified CrackFix V2 files.