I had the same problem with my original version. I hoped the GOG version would restore that. But it seems it was a waste of money!
I tried to run the launcher as admin at this works to start the game.
But when I get the menu screen in the game, it starts flashing and the screen goes back to my desktop. If I can click fast, I can hit the 'new game' button. Then I can make a character without problems. But when I start the game, the loading screen gives me the same flashes. and I can't go further then this. It keeps going back to the desktop. And if I open the game window again, I get the same problem over and over.
So I hope someone here can give some help to solve this problem, so that my money isn't wasted after all.
BVR