Is this being worked on?
Experiencing the same issue with current 1.8.0 release version. 64-bit Windows 7 machine. Loading a save from previous game version causes immediate missing models/textures followed very quickly by game hang-up. Character creation fails to load character models during background selection, game hangs. Alt-tabbing and returning into focus switches the frozen view to the generic Bannerlord load screen, nothing happens.
Procmon workaround does not work for me.
I'd like to say I'm surprised a company Taleworlds' size did not plan on having even a single legacy Win7 testing computer available for a product sold as supporting that OS, but am not. Still, would bloody well like to be able to play the game I already paid for, and one that has been working without issues in that regard for a long while.