@PETER-SMITH1397

Hi

Have you read this topic regarding the same issue.

John EB
Forum Moderator

Hi Can-Dive, Thanks for your reply.

When you go into send a support ticket they say the Registry Key is probably corrupt but you can,t delete it with the windows registry editor. I tried to export it and also with administrator rights to no effect.I did try the editor first but it would allow me to delete it. They say download Registrar Registry Manager Free Home Edition and this will delete the registry key. I actually used this method a few years ago when I purchased an older version of Magix Movie Studio Suite and it worked. Now Registry Manager Free Home Edition downloads OK but won't open. I think I will have to give Magix a miss and try another platform for editing software. There is no support at all, Sony would be rolling in their grave.

Thanks For Your Help

Cheers.

Thanks Johnebaker,

Just read the topic you mentioned and did all the gentlemen was talking about. I haven't heard anything from support for 6 weeks and have tried all avenues from UK, USA and China but haven't herd anything.

Cheers

@PETER-SMITH1397

Peter, I just used regedit.exe and it deleted that key without issue. Here's what I did:

In the Windows search box, type in regedit. On regedit.exe, right-click and choose Run as Admin (assuming you're logged on to Windows as an admin).

Then find that reg entry and right-click it and click Delete.

I then fired up VDL 2026 again with no issue.

As CD has said, first do a system backup or set a Restore Point JIC your registry edit goes pearshaped.

@PETER-SMITH1397

Hi

. . . . . can't get the MPEG_4 Activation to work . . . . .

Is this the HEVC / h.265 codec activation message that pops up on first import of a HEVC/h.265 encoded video MP4 file?

If so your Antivirus program may be blocking the activation process, try disabling the Protected folder / Real time protection feature temporarily, prior to activation.

If not then we need more information on the file you are trying to import.

Download and install MediaInfo, watch out for and close the ad popups, and analyse one of the clips and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.

A screenshot of the popup message may also help. 

John EB

@PETER-SMITH1397 @johnebaker

Update: Now I'm getting the MP4 Activation Failed message after deleting that reg key. I mistakenly thought I had imported an MP4 OK, but it was actually an MPEG 2 in disguise (don't ask! 😂).

This is the file I'm trying to import:

General
Complete name                            : H:\Videohelp\elektro\Bring Me the Horizon feat. VRD QSF Recode.mp4
Format                                   : MPEG-4
Format profile                           : Base Media
Codec ID                                 : isom (isom/iso2/avc1/mp41)
File size                                : 625 MiB
Duration                                 : 6 min 8 s
Overall bit rate mode                    : Variable
Overall bit rate                         : 14.2 Mb/s
Frame rate                               : 29.970 FPS
Writing application                      : VideoReDo (Lavf58.29.100)

Video
ID                                       : 1
Format                                   : AVC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile                           : High@L4
Format settings                          : CABAC / 2 Ref Frames
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes
Format settings, Reference frames        : 2 frames
Format settings, GOP                     : M=3, N=30
Codec ID                                 : avc1
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding
Duration                                 : 6 min 8 s
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 14.0 Mb/s
Maximum bit rate                         : 19.2 Mb/s
Width                                    : 1 920 pixels
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels
Display aspect ratio                     : 16:9
Frame rate mode                          : Constant
Frame rate                               : 29.970 (30000/1001) FPS
Color space                              : YUV
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0
Bit depth                                : 8 bits
Scan type                                : Interlaced
Scan type, store method                  : Separated fields
Scan order                               : Top Field First
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.226
Stream size                              : 616 MiB (99%)
Codec configuration box                  : avcC

Audio
ID                                       : 2
Format                                   : AAC LC
Format/Info                              : Advanced Audio Codec Low Complexity
Codec ID                                 : mp4a-40-2
Duration                                 : 6 min 8 s
Duration_LastFrame                       : -21 ms
Bit rate mode                            : Variable
Bit rate                                 : 192 kb/s
Channel(s)                               : 2 channels
Channel layout                           : L R
Sampling rate                            : 48.0 kHz
Frame rate                               : 46.875 FPS (1024 SPF)
Compression mode                         : Lossy
Stream size                              : 8.32 MiB (1%)
Default                                  : Yes
Alternate group                          : 1

First message is this:

Then this:

I disabled Windows Defender and Malwarebytes but can't disable Acronis.

That file did import OK before I deleted that reg key.

Edit: I got Acronis shut down but the MPEG 4 codec still won't activate.

Edit 2: Tried a restart of Windows, no joy, still failed activation.

@AAProds, @PETER-SMITH1397

Hi Al, Peter

Try running the program as Administrator - right click the shortcut and select Run as Administrator. Then try the activation again.

This will run the program with higher privileges than your 'Administrator' account.

John EB

@AAProds

Hi Al,

I assume you created a full Registry Backup before you deleted that specific key? If so, have you tried reinstalling that backup? Does that resolve the issue for you? If so, it would seem that Support's advice to @PETER-SMITH1397 is highly suspect!

Also, I note the comment in your second screenshot about Administrator rights. Does it make any difference if you open the program from the desktop icon by right-clicking (on the icon) and choosing the option to Run as Administrator?

I've just installed VDL 2026 so will try and check what happens with my installation when importing an mp4 later today.

Jeff

@johnebaker @PETER-SMITH1397 @emmrecs

Try running the program as Administrator - right click the shortcut and select Run as Administrator. Then try the activation again.

Activated OK! My MP4 imported without issue. Good job John (and Jeff one minute later).

@emmrecs

I assume you created a full Registry Backup before you deleted that specific key?

Arrh, err, well, you know how it is... I discovered my nightly backup was no longer... nightly. 😂

I didn't think to export the REG key before deleting; I assume that's what you're talking about Jeff.

@AAProds

Hi Al,

One lives and learns, often the hard way!! But I'm glad the suggestion from both John and I worked!

I was actually wondering whether you had exported the whole registry before deleting that key? That is certainly my preferred method when needing to perform surgery on the Registry.

I've also just imported an mp4 to VDL2026, encountered the message about codec activation, clicked to activate and everything worked.

Jeff

@emmrecs

Jeff, I didn't realise you can export the whole registry but have worked out how to do that now, thanks for the hint.

@PETER-SMITH1397

Pete, when you have the Registry Editor open, to back it up: File>Export>Export Range All (or as you see fit). You can just RC on a key and export it only if you wish.

If you watch the attached 2 min Youtube video in my previous post, at the 1 min mark, backing up the registry is explained. Hopefully all our suggestions to @PETER-SMITH1397 has helped him resolve this issue. 🤓

Hi Al, Peter

Try running the program as Administrator - right click the shortcut and select Run as Administrator. Then try the activation again.

This will run the program with higher privileges than your 'Administrator' account.

John EB

Hi John I have run as administrator but that solution didn't wok either. I'm not sure why.

Thanks for your help.

@PETER-SMITH1397

Hi

. . . . . can't get the MPEG_4 Activation to work . . . . .

Is this the HEVC / h.265 codec activation message that pops up on first import of a HEVC/h.265 encoded video MP4 file?

If so your Antivirus program may be blocking the activation process, try disabling the Protected folder / Real time protection feature temporarily, prior to activation.

If not then we need more information on the file you are trying to import.

Download and install MediaInfo, watch out for and close the ad popups, and analyse one of the clips and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.

A screenshot of the popup message may also help. 

John EB

Hi John,

Yeah if you try to add an MP4 video file to the time line on first go after installing the program, the error message come up. Magix Movie Studio 2025 was working well and I upgraded to 2026. Niether program works now.

Peter

@PETER-SMITH1397

Peter, I just used regedit.exe and it deleted that key without issue. Here's what I did:

In the Windows search box, type in regedit. On regedit.exe, right-click and choose Run as Admin (assuming you're logged on to Windows as an admin).

Then find that reg entry and right-click it and click Delete.

I then fired up VDL 2026 again with no issue.

As CD has said, first do a system backup or set a Restore Point JIC your registry edit goes pearshaped.

Hi AAProds, Thanks for your help, Unfortunately I have tried running as administrator but Window still wouldn't let me delete the registry. Your right I also did make a restore point.

Cheers Peter

Hi @PETER-SMITH1397

Have you tried using the free version of Revo Uninstaller? The free version is portable so you just need to download it and run the executable. It does not install on your computer. Not only does Revo uninstall your program but it also deletes all associated registry keys and file locations. I suggest you use the Advance settings.

https://www.revouninstaller.com/revo-uninstaller-free-download/

Once you have completely uninstalled the program, reboot your computer and try installing VDL2026 again.

Cheers

@PETER-SMITH1397

Have you tried running Video Deluxe as Admin?

Right-click on the Magix VDL shortcut and choose run as Admin. That worked for me: after the program started up and i dragged an MP4 onto the timeline, I was then able to activate the MPEG 4 codec.

@PETER-SMITH1397, @Can-Dive

Hi

. . . . I suggest you use the Advance settings. . . . .

As a regular user of Revo Uninstaller, both Pro and portable editions, I would advise using the Moderate mode when scanning for registry entries and left over files.

Advanced mode is aggressive and may pick up registry entries and file/folders which are not related to the program being uninstalled with the risk of breaking other installed software if deleted.

John EB

I agree with the the above statement by @johnebaker. Unless you are comfortable in being able to decipher the listings, Moderate would be the way to go. I only use Advanced as a "nuclear" option.

Hi Everyone,

Thank You all so much for all your help and support with the problem I had with Magix Movie Studio activating the MPEG 4. I Have finally been able to Activate and all is well. I have been without the program for six weeks trying to solve the problem. The only solution I could think of and not hearing anything from support over the time was to reset windows 11 with a clean copy. Magix Movie Studio was the first program I loaded in so there and it worked.

Kind Regards to all

Peter

Well, this is interesting. Having deleted that registry key earlier, and successfully having (re) activated MPEG-4 import by starting the program as an admin, I now find I have to start it "as admin" every time, otherwise the "activation required" message comes up and activation fails.

Oddly, when I do re-open the program "as admin", no activation is required and the project with the MPEG-4 opens without issue.

I'm about to re-install Windows 11 Pro on a new NVME. It's been several years, and Windows, for some reason, seems to get "funky" over time. 24H2 will not install, but there are some issues with solid states drive controllers with that build and current "kb" builds, so I will install after vacation.

I normally do this, label the old boot drive with date/OS, and put it away after I am sure everything I need is migrated over.