itch.io

I've been doing it pretty similar to you, and it's working.

My screen doesn't have any lines saying "Downloading and caching simulation driver..."

Make sure you are *logged into R18* using Chrome.
I use Firefox generally but I think the original steps I read said to use Chrome so I do only for this.  I remember one time I inadvertently went back to using Firefox and it stopped working.
Try renaming your cookie file to simply "cookies.txt" (don't know if that is necessary but I've been doing that).

Also remember periodically you may need to download a fresh cookies file.

I don't know if any of these suggestions will help.

My problem is the download is painfully slow.  Generally about an hour for 1 item.  Longer for larger files.  So I joined Patreon to support the developer to try to get a more current version than v.1.7.3.  So far no luck with that.  I'm waiting for the developer to tell me the password to unlock the newer versions after I download (and also to tell me what version is recommended for better download speed).

Good luck!

I bought the tool.  Figured out how to use it, but it is very slow. Takes over an hour to download 1 item.  So I want to try the Patreon version.  I figured out how to join Patreon as a supporter to you.  Great.  Also I see I can download .rar files.  But the .rar files require a password to extract the content.  So I've been trying to contact you in the Patreon message system.  You apparently want me to use Discord.  I tried to use Discord, but it won't let me login.  I can't get registered or get past the stupid "CAPTCHA" thing.  Any help appreciated.  I just want a faster version than v1.7.3.  I'm running Windows 10.

I bought the tool.  Figured out how to use it, but it is very slow. Takes over an hour to download 1 item.  So I want to try the Patreon version.  I figured out how to join Patreon as a supporter to the developer.  Great.  Also I see I can download .rar files.  But the .rar files require a password to extract the content.  So I'm trying to contact the developer.  So far no response within Patreon message system.  They apparently want me to use Discord.  I tried to use Discord, but it won't let me login.  I can't get registered or get past the stupid "CAPTCHA" thing.  Any help appreciated.  I just want a faster version than v1.7.3.  I'm running Windows 10.