CtD on "Init Engine" after Win10 upgrade

[Senshi]

After finally installing the last big Win10 update (version 1511, build 10586.29), my Civ4 refuses to start. It always crashes without a message the same split second it reaches "Init Engine" on the splash loadbar. Happens with mods or vanilla, always the same.

I tried searching, but I only found that people have trouble with SecuDrive CD checks that were disabled. Shouldn't be an issue on Steam, and certainly not BtS which doesn't have these. The secdrv service in question is not even installed on my machine.

I have the Steam version of Civ4 BTS.
I run Win10 x64 (version 1511, build 10586.29), on a fairly modern PC: ATI R290, Xeon E3-1230, 16GB DDR3

The crash happens no matter if I use the regular version (without direct connect&Gamespy) or the "original exe" alternative in Steam.

Logs are attached. I couldn't find anything suspicious in them (no real error message), but then again I'm no expert.

The game worked just fine the day before that particular upgrade (which I had to do from a separate ISO, because Windows update failed to download the update properly), but I don't see how and what it should have broken.

Hope you can help!

 

[Senshi]

"Have you tried turning it off and on?" says imaginary annoying tech support.

"Yes, of course!" I answer.

"Have you tried turning it off and on AGAIN?" says imaginary annoying tech support.

"No, why would that change any...wow...that's impossible." a speechless me answers.

In short: After restarting the PC three times, it now works for some sadly inexplicable reason. No, no further updates were installed or anything, it just works now...

To end with a quote

And the LORD spake, saying, "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin, then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."