For every graphics preset (Low→Ultra), the engine compiles Vulkan/DirectX shaders from intermediate representation (IR) to machine code, storing them in %LOCALAPPDATA%/StarCraft 2/Shaders/ .
We need to tell your antivirus that StarCraft 2 is allowed to request exclusive access. starcraft 2 preparing game data exclusive
Highlights
To resolve the "Preparing Game Data" hang in StarCraft II , which often occurs when the game client cannot access or write to its required files, follow these steps: 1. Disable the "Exclusive" Game Data Setting For every graphics preset (Low→Ultra), the engine compiles
This is the number one cause. Windows Defender sees the constant reading/writing of the SC2Data files during the "Preparing" phase as suspicious activity. It steps in to scan the file, locking it. For every graphics preset (Low→Ultra)