Ok, so I got some useful info from SE's support, thought I'd share. Before I do, it turned out, it is my Windows Defender's problem. 2 things worked, switching off Real-time Protection but it's kind of a stupid solution since it turns itself back on after some time. Then I discovered a more perm solution, not sure if it is the way to go but for now, it'll do. Basically, under Ransomware protection, turning off "Controlled folder access".

Anyways below are the suggestions I got from SE's support:

- Allow Administration Privileges (Run As Administrator) to the game's executable file and launch the game.

- Please make sure all background applications (including anti-virus programs such as Norton, Kaspersky, Windows Defender, etc.) have been disabled and/or closed to minimize game interference before attempting to log in.

- While the game is running, open the Task Manager and click the 'Details' tab. Find the game, right click it and select the 'Set Priority' options to 'High.'

- Turn off Fullscreen Optimizations. Find the executable file for the game (normally found in the install folder), right-click it and select 'Properties'. Under the 'Compatibility' tab, check the box labeled 'Disable Fullscreen Optimizations', then click 'Apply'.

- Ensure that the latest version of Internet Explorer is installed on your PC (even if you don’t use Internet Explorer). Please do not use Microsoft Edge for these steps, as that is a different Internet platform.
Once Internet Explorer is up-to-date, please open the Internet Explorer browser’s “Internet Options” by clicking on the “Tools” option (or type Alt+X), then click on the “Internet options” setting. Please adjust the following settings:

- Under the General tab, please delete ALL browsing history by clicking on the “Delete…” button, then selecting all of the options and clicking “Delete” again.
- Under the Security tab, please move the slider to the lowest possible setting, or no higher than “Medium.”
- Under the Privacy tab, look for the Settings section and click on “Advanced,” then Accept First-party Cookies and Third-party Cookies, then check the box that says, “Always allow session cookies” and click OK.
- Under the Advanced tab, look for the Settings section and scroll towards the bottom of the list and check on the setting under Security for “Allow software to run or install even if the signature is invalid.”
- Under the same section, make sure that all ‘Use TLS’ options (EXCEPT SSL 3.0) are checked. [Use SSL 3.0 should be unchecked]

Hit “Apply” then “OK” to save the changes.
Please RESTART your PC now.