Found a solution.
Had to download via Firefox as chrome wouldn't let the file download complete.
Then went into windows settings/update and security and added the file as an exclusion under virus and threat detection settings.
All is good in the world again.
Many thanks again for your help.
v.13.1.0 #11 (22-02-2024):
- Fixed the freeze at the beginning of the battle that occurred after installing a specific combination of mods
- Updated Arachne Azur Lane Modpack
- Updated Team Panels by AutoSpy [upd. ship data by Capt_Oveur]