I have Windows 7. I installed X-Wing Alliance from the offline backup game installer (not from GOG Galaxy). I start the game (desktop icon or game directory, same problem occurs). The game launcher does not start. It appears however in my Windows Task Manager. I cannot find it on any of my monitors.

I try to start the game again with the same alliance executable or desktop icon. The launcher starts normally. It appears double in the Task Manager. I start the game with the second launcher. The game seems to run properly. I do not see any unusual processor load on my PC

Why does this happen? I have many GOG games, this is the first time I encountered such a problem. Is it it a trojan, virus, bug? Is the Launcher corrupted? Is this a known issue? Is it possible to correct the error in the launcher? As far as I see this version of the offline backup installer hasn't been updated by GOG for several years, so any such problems should be long known by now.

I am aware that it is possible to bypass the GOG launcher by starting the game with the XWINGALLIANCE.EXE in the game directory.

PS. As far as I understand ppl on Windows 10 have problems with launcher, some legacy settings, direct play. However this should not be a problem on Windows 7.