Also having a similar issue. Cannot get simulator to load, and crashes on blue bar after checking for updates. Posted about it here (also applies to 1.18.14.0 hotfix version:
Community folder empty, all drivers and windows up to date. Everything up until this point has been annoying but with workarounds. But this is something else entirely, and I feel like I’m out of options, like so many others. MOD EDIT: removed discussion about legal activity.