Re-installing the latest v14 did not work. I'll now work on the specification of the computer system.

Hi John,

Computer specifications are now in my profile.

Error message when attempting to install Magix Photostory deluxe 2025:

Error in module "ntdll.dll" (Load address 0x0000FFA53180000) at address 0x0000FFA532E75CE (Exception 0xc0000005 "Access Violation").

Currently I am totally unable to start Photostory which freezes at start. Thanks for any help that you can give.

Regards,

Baska D

@bdesha

Hi

• If the account you login to the computer is a 'Local account' skip to the next section
  
  If a Microsoft Account, and, OneDrive is installed and syncing your Documents folder to OneDrive, then as a minimum, you need to stop it syncing the Magix folder in your Documents folder - see this article on how to do this. Ensure you have a backup copy of everything that has been uploaded to OneDrive.
  
  If you do not need to use OneDrive then see this article to disable it completely
  
  Continue to the next step.
   
• Reinstall the program
  
  The full install is in multiple steps/parts, if you get an error note the step this occurs at, and whether at the beginning, during or end of that step:-

1. The first part of the install process is the installation of the Download Manager
    
2. The Download Manager then downloads the main program install.
    
3. After the download, the program install is started.
    
4. The program once installed, starts and brings up the activation screen

John EB

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. Mine is not a "Local Account'. I have quitted OneDrive temporarily. Reinstalled Photostory in a process which went smoothly without any errors and overcoming the freeze at start of the program.

Only when I tried to either load an earlier project or start a new one did I have the same issue as before with the error message being the same: Error in module ntdll.dll

I am considering replacing the ntdll.dll file from an earlier version of Windows 11. An attempt told me that I had no permission.

Your thoughts?

Baska D

@bdesha

Hi

. . . . Reinstalled Photostory in a process which went smoothly without any errors and overcoming the freeze at start of the program . . . .

We are making making progress

. . . . I have quitted OneDrive temporarily . . . . .

Temporarily is not an option, as I prevously stated the Magix folder, you may see it as Magix Projects, and its subfolders must, as a minimum, be excluded from uploading to the Cloud. The software creates support files when importing video and moving these, and any video files that are also moved to the cloud to the Cloud can cause significant issues with performance and you must always be connected to the Internet. There are also Privacy concerns with using OneDrive.

. . . . I am considering replacing the ntdll.dll file from an earlier version of Windows 11. An attempt told me that I had no permission. . . . .

Do not do this, you may end up with a mismatch in DLL versions. The 'no permission' means the account you login with is does not have the necessary permissions even though the account may be an 'Administrator' account.

This could also be the new Windows 'feature' that blocks you making changes to system components and the Registry.

The correct full procedure for fixing Windows system file issues is as follows, you must be connected to the Internet:

1. Hold down the Windows Key and press X
    
2. Select - Terminal (Admin), this will open a new dialog pane.
    
3. Type in or copy and paste the command: 
   
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
   
   Press the Enter key to run
    
4. Once this completes repeat step 3 for each of the following commands in this order
   
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   
   DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
   
   SFC /SCANNOW
    
5. Restart the computer - using the Restart option not Shut down

Do note:

During the /RestoreHealth run, the progress may appear to freeze at 63 % for a while (up to 30 mins) as new Windows files are downloaded.

Running the Windows system file fix is at your own risk, if you do not feel comfortable doing this, then seek help from your local computer shop.

John EB

Hi John,

I followed the full procedure for fixing Windows system file issues and encountered the long pause at 63.2% during the RestoreHealth run.

Windows reported that "details are in the CBS log file".

Unfortunately, the final outcome was still Error in module ntdll.dll.

I tried the 2026 version as well as the 2023 version. In all cases Photostory remained open until I tried either to either load an existing project or create a new one. Without success.

Any other suggestions to overcome the frustrating problem?

Regards,

Baska

@bdesha

Hi

What happens if you run Photostory (PS), both versions, in Administrator mode - right click the shortcut to select this option, each time to run PS

John EB

Hi,

Both the 2025 and trial 2026 versions resulted in Error in module ntdll.dll when run in Administrator mode.

Regards,

Baska

Hi John,

My computer which is only about 10 days old has Windows 25H2. Could this version be the cause of the ndll problem?

Hi,

Wrt my last comment: I have just checked: my previous computer had Windows 25H2 Build 26200.8524 and the new one has Windows 25H2 Build 26200.8457. Very similar. The old computer runs Photostory 2025 with no issues.

@bdesha

Hi

. . . . previous computer had Windows 25H2 Build 26200.8524 and the new one has Windows 25H2 Build 26200.8457 . . . .

A bit of a longshot

I am running on Windows 25H2 Build 26200.8457 and experiencing no issues with Photostory 2026 which has had an update for an issue with NVidia drivers of the 591.xx series. Photostory 2025 will not have received this update.

If the RTX 5060 driver version is 591.xx series, Windows will display the version number as 32.0.15.91xx, try rolling it back to 581.80 this known to fix some issues arising from an unpatched Magix fix for the NV issue.

Which Antivirus program is running on the new PC? I am running the default Microsoft Defender.

John EB

Hi,

Lack of familiarity with the Nvidia app and I finished up inadvertently uninstalling it altogether. I also stopped my Antivirus program Norton 360 temporarily and tested Photostory 2026. No luck: the error ntdll remains.

Was it sufficient to have uninstalled Nvidia or do I need to reset it at 581.8 and retest Photostory?

Baska D

@bdesha

Hi

. . . . Was it sufficient to have uninstalled Nvidia or do I need to reset it at 581.8 . . . .

Uninstalling the App would not affect the driver that is already installed, try downloading 581.80 and install that.

John EB

Downloaded and installed Nvidia 581.80 and ran trial Photostory 2026. No luck. Same dll error.

Hi,

A relative of mine who knows about programming is helping me by reviewing all the checks I have made as suggested by you. We have also changed the video card without resolving the issue. He has asked me to go back to the OneDrive issue: make sure I remove it properly and altogether. Which is what I am in the process of doing. Slow moving all the storage before uninstalling. I will let you know how I go.