@happykoala: Thanks for your input. If I am not mistaken, I do not have this program installed on my computer (as mentioned in original post) since it does not show up in the search bar.

@Packetdancer: Thanks for the clarification. I forced the entire computer to run on high graphics, which I honestly do not think is necessary because prior to installing 5.2 patch (the night before) I was playing ffxiv fine without fiddling with any settings of any sort. I checked while I was on the game previously and it was using the Nvidia card so I have a suspicion that it was not using the Intel graphics card unless something about the launching process suddenly got changed for the 5.2 update.

✰✰✰So I tried something that @BLaCKnBLu3B3RRY suggested in a different thread, which involves enabling UAC. Why it was disabled in the first place, I have no idea since I did not fiddle with anything in particular after receiving this new computer 1 month ago. I pretty much switched everything back to as it was prior to patching but with UAC enabled and it now plays as if nothing happened, but I do not see why this is suddenly a prerequisite for the game to run considering it was fine the night before the patch dropped. If anyone can enlighten me that would be great. Thanks.