SF 11 refuses to start, even full re install

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 7/6/2025, 4:52 AM

After years of using the same original install, Sound Forge 11 suddenly started crashing on launch.

I contacted support, and the only suggestion I received was to fully uninstall and reinstall the software.

I followed those instructions, but after a clean reinstall, SF11 still refuses to start.

During the reinstall process, I did see the usual registration screens. I selected “Register Online”, as I always have.

I'm on Windows 10 (same system as always).

Interestingly, yesterday I had to launch Samplitude X3, and it also gave me trouble — I had to click “Repair” to get it running. But it eventually worked.

So something may have changed on my system recently, but I’m not sure what. Any advice would be appreciated.



 

 

 

Comments

SP. wrote on 7/6/2025, 7:07 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990 Hold CTRL and SHIFT on your computer keyboard. Then double click on the Sound Forge desktop shortcut to start the app. Keep holding CTRL and SHIFT until a small window appears that will ask you if you want to reset the program settings. Reset the settings and maybe the program will start again.

Sometimes Windows updates simply install old drivers. I had this problem some years ago when Windows uninstalled my graphics driver and installed a two-year-old version. Maybe something similar happened on your device?

rraud wrote on 7/6/2025, 10:34 AM

There had been a 'few' reports of the 'Elevated Privilege' issue (after a Win 10 update) in Sound Forge11, but they were rare and mostly confined to SF-10 , So you might try running SF-11 as an administrator. Otherwise, there is a registry tweak for the 'Elevated Privilege' issue but that may not be the problem and forking around with the OS registry can be risky.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 7/7/2025, 2:15 AM

Hello, holding CTRL+SHIFT does reset the settings and delete cache, but the authorisation fails again.
Running as admin changes nothing , the issue persists.
thanks dd

 

rraud wrote on 7/7/2025, 10:24 AM

Try uninstall / reinstall again using a third-party uninstaller. I recommend 'Revo Uninstall' that can remove left-over registry entries and other pertinent data the OS uninstall leaves behind, which can cause issues to reoccur.. Revo Uninstall has a pro and freeware versions. The free version is adequate in most cases.

btw, if you have custom SF keyboard shortcuts and window layouts, which are in the 'Appdata> Roaming' and 'Local ' system folders. save them to another locaton so you can restore later.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 7/11/2025, 3:02 AM

Hi again, tried to uninstall using Revo as you suggested, I did reboot and then run installer as admin

During install I awas on a loop with this error:


it seemed to be an issue with the izotope component so I did cancel, install seemed to resume and complete. But after a reboot I had no SF11 installed, so I run the installer again, omitted izotope and install went thought.
But
Still the same issue when authorising the program:

 



Still no help from support and I can't use the program I bought, this is really unprofessional.

SP. wrote on 7/11/2025, 5:08 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990 Try running the software in Windows 7 or 8 compatibility mode. For this, make a right click on the Sound Forge icon, select Properties and open the Compatibility tab.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 7/13/2025, 4:42 AM

Hello, @SP. thanks for your suggestion but it didn't work, still the same issue. To make it clear: the crash happens when trying to authorise, there's something with the magix autorotation tool that can't get through. I cnat even get to the SF11 start screen..
Cheers
dd

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 8/30/2025, 10:24 AM

After 2 months still couldn't solve this.
Magix support is extremely disappointing.

So, sorry to insist but I bought this program because I really need it and still not working.
Did follow your every suggestion, nothing changed.

Just to clarify SF doesn’t crash. The authorisation software crashes, I did send captures several times.
Please help me find solution. Really in need here.
thank you

 

dd

johnebaker wrote on 8/30/2025, 10:51 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990

Hi

. . . . after a clean reinstall, SF11 . . . .

Did you use the Sony or the newer Magix installer?

If the Sony installer then it will be trying to contact registration servers that no longer exist. In your account at magix.com log in using the email address and password you used with Sony, your account icon is top right of the magix homepage.

Under my products you should see the download for the Magix version and your serial number.

John EB
Forum Moderator

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 24H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

SP. wrote on 8/30/2025, 11:02 AM

@johnebaker The screenshots look like the Magix installer.

@daniel-DIAZ2990 Have you tried to disable Windows Defender Antivirus and Firewall?

johnebaker wrote on 8/30/2025, 12:31 PM

@SP.

Hi

Thanks for the heads up on the installer.

John EB

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 24H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 8/31/2025, 8:56 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990

Hi

. . . . after a clean reinstall, SF11 . . . .

Did you use the Sony or the newer Magix installer?

If the Sony installer then it will be trying to contact registration servers that no longer exist. In your account at magix.com log in using the email address and password you used with Sony, your account icon is top right of the magix homepage.

Under my products you should see the download for the Magix version and your serial number.

John EB
Forum Moderator

Hi, I downloaded the new installer in july 2025

https://dl03.magix.com/soundforgepro11.exe

And tried it after a complete uninstall...

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 8/31/2025, 9:02 AM

@johnebaker The screenshots look like the Magix installer.

@daniel-DIAZ2990 Have you tried to disable Windows Defender Antivirus and Firewall?

Yes, tried without defender both virus protection and firewall, same issue...
thanks
dd

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/15/2025, 1:44 AM

I'm shocked that there's no support at all (at least here I did got some answers) but the official Magix support just doesn't see to care. What I'm I supposed to do? Not buying SF in a new version to see if the authorisation software does work? Getting a crack to bypass it?
This is ridiculous.

SP. wrote on 9/15/2025, 2:07 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990 It's likely they will say that this is a legacy software and they no longer support it. The current version is 18, not 11.

If both Sound Forge Pro 11 and Samplitude Pro X3 suddenly had problems starting and now Sound Forge during install, I wouldn't be surprised that a Windows 10 update bricked it.

It's your good right to try a cracked version of Sound Forge 11, if there is no other way to get it working. But you might get the same installation error there as well.

Have you tried to install it on another computer, just to make sure it's not a problem limited to your computer?

SP. wrote on 9/15/2025, 2:11 AM

Another idea, maybe check out the Windows Internetoptions and try to enable all TLS versions under the Advanced settings app. Also try to disable the Warnings below the TLS settings.

johnebaker wrote on 9/15/2025, 3:33 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990, @SP.

Hi

. . . . Getting a crack to bypass it? . . . .

. . . . It's your good right to try a cracked version . . . .

This is not correct,

Though the software is an old version, it is still under the Copyright laws to protect the rights of software developers.

Using cracked software puts you into the situation where you face the consequences:

  • Potential malware/virus introduction
     
  • No support.
     
  • Potential legal issues.

John EB
Forum Moderator

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 24H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/15/2025, 6:38 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990, @SP.

Hi

. . . . Getting a crack to bypass it? . . . .

That was a pun of course, I paid for the software!!!!!


I'm just asking: it's your authorisation software that's beeing faulty, I don't even launch SF at all.
What authorisation solution you propose? None so far after several months...

 

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/15/2025, 6:43 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990 It's likely they will say that this is a legacy software and they no longer support it. The current version is 18, not 11.

If both Sound Forge Pro 11 and Samplitude Pro X3 suddenly had problems starting and now Sound Forge during install, I wouldn't be surprised that a Windows 10 update bricked it.

It's your good right to try a cracked version of Sound Forge 11, if there is no other way to get it working. But you might get the same installation error there as well.

Have you tried to install it on another computer, just to make sure it's not a problem limited to your computer?

Hi,
I don’t have any other computer with Windows 10, and this one — my studio computer — has been working fine for many years. Both Samplitude and SF ran without issues until this spring, when SF suddenly refused to launch.

Obviously, I’m not trying to use a crack — I wouldn’t even know where to look for that…

Magix used to offer solid support for legacy products, without treating older legally acquired software as “obsolete.” For example, I bought SF4 (before Magix) and used it until I got a good offer to upgrade to version 11, and SF4 kept working all along.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/15/2025, 6:45 AM

Another idea, maybe check out the Windows Internetoptions and try to enable all TLS versions under the Advanced settings app. Also try to disable the Warnings below the TLS settings.

will try right now....
thanks

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/15/2025, 6:52 AM

No luck, again is the registration utility that provides an error, not even SF

SP. wrote on 9/15/2025, 7:02 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990 Have you tried to set the Windows compatibility mode for the registration utility to Windows 7?

johnebaker wrote on 9/15/2025, 8:12 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990

Hi

In addition to the Internet settings @SP. gave you, there is a second Internet setting(s) which require turning on for some older software:

. . . . I'm shocked that there's no support at all (at least here I did got some answers) but the official Magix support just doesn't see to care. . . .

You should have received an auto reply email giving you a ticket number and suggestions of potential fixes, you may not have seen this as they sometimes end up in your Spam folder.

The Support system has undergone some changes, particularly in the last year or two. In addition to the suggestions there may be links in the email for when proposed solutions do not work, if you did not respond to these, or do a follow up email quoting the ticket number, then it is assumed that one of the proposals fixed the issue.

John EB

VPX 16, Movie Studio 2025, and earlier versions 2015 and 2016, Music Maker Premium 2024.

PC - running Windows 11 23H2 Professional on Intel i7-8700K 3.2 GHz, 16GB RAM, RTX 2060 6GB 192-bit GDDR6, 1 x 1Tb Sabrent NVME SSD (OS and programs), 2 x 4TB (Data) internal HDD + 1TB internal SSD (Work disc), + 6 ext backup HDDs.

Laptop - Lenovo Legion 5i Phantom - running Windows 11 24H2 on Intel Core i7-10750H, 16GB DDR4-SDRAM, 512GB SSD, 43.9 cm screen Full HD 1920 x 1080, Intel UHD 630 iGPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (6GB GDDR6)

Sony FDR-AX53e Video camera, DJI Osmo Action 3 and Sony HDR-AS30V Sports cams.

daniel-DIAZ2990 wrote on 9/16/2025, 1:43 AM

@daniel-DIAZ2990

Hi

In addition to the Internet settings @SP. gave you, there is a second Internet setting(s) which require turning on for some older software:

. . . . I'm shocked that there's no support at all (at least here I did got some answers) but the official Magix support just doesn't see to care. . . .

You should have received an auto reply email giving you a ticket number and suggestions of potential fixes, you may not have seen this as they sometimes end up in your Spam folder.

The Support system has undergone some changes, particularly in the last year or two. In addition to the suggestions there may be links in the email for when proposed solutions do not work, if you did not respond to these, or do a follow up email quoting the ticket number, then it is assumed that one of the proposals fixed the issue.

John EB

Hi John, , I see. those settings has always been checked in my system.

I did get a robot response with suggestions that I tried and didn't work (suggestions oriented to a problem running SF but for me is the authorisation software that's faulty)

I got the automatic email response w/ticket number.

"Hello, I am an AI support agent, and I’m here to assist you"

I replied to that message and after a month with no replies created a new ticket and did the same. It's been 3 months. 3tickets, 3 exchanges with a bot.

No human support at all.


So yeah, I'm shocked.


I see SF is a dead end for me, I've been buying and using it since the Sonic Foundry days, then Sony more than 20 years ago. But it's been 3 months and I need a software like that, it's my job. I'm looking for a serious alternative now.

Thanks
dd