hmmm I downloaded the low qual pc file from gdrive but ran out of space, cleared off 25GB of space and redownloaded. Unfortunately when my pc gets this tight on HD it tends to get slow - so unpacking it took an hour and a half. As soon as it was done I checked that files were there then deleted the compressed file. Then I tried to run it, only to find no executables. I doublechecked that it was the pc version and it was. So I tried the patch updater to see if it came with the executables to no luck. Does anyone know how I can get the top level directory files (I have the renpy, game and lib directories and they look to be fully populated as best as I can tell). Can I just grab one of the partial compressed files and get what I need? I really don't want to download a 10GB file for the third time.
Updates only have the game folder with scripts and new images/video files in them.
That won't help you.
It sounds like you're using an antivirus software like Avast, Norton, Avira, McAfee etc.
Those tend to false positive files and delete them.
You can check your quarantine folder if the files are still on your drive and recover them.
If not, only a new download will help.
Don't use antivirus software as mentioned above.
Those are viruses themselves and slow your system down.
(that's probably why unzippin' takes so long for you)
Windows Defender and an occasional check (not the live protection) with Malwarebytes are enough.