SP...I did try it...it did work the first time. However, after closing out the program and attempting to re-open, the error returns. Any other suggestions?

SP I've tried holding CTRL + SHIFT keys down whilst starting Acid but it doesn't prevent the application initialisation -1 error.

Anyway, as Zeus-Celi6285 wrote above, even if you go through the long and laborious de-installation process the programme will open...... but only once. Try opening it again and the process repeats over and over.

What frustrates me most as a Windows 11 user is how smoothly every piece of software runs on my PC. No problems with anything. It's always MAGIX and Acid. Is it any wonder that most music professionals slag Acid off as a piece of junk? Even if it does get going it's 99% likely to crash anyway.

@Alan-Pitt The problem is, that ACID wasn't developed for Windows 11 and Microsoft continuously changes Windows. For example, there is a brand new security feature in Windows 11 that will block all programs that are not certified. Guess what now happens to old, but secure, programs then? There was already a user here that wrote that this features blocks the VST scanner.

Sp thank you once again for always answering so quickly. You really are a fantastic asset!!! We all appreciate what you do.

I get that the issue lies within Windows 11. I think it is something to do with Smart App Control (SAC) which I'm sure you know is just an extra safety feature Microsoft has launched to make windows safer. They seem fixated on making Windows as secure as possible which is good in some ways but of course, can cause these major issues too.

According to Microsoft when a developer (like Magixx) creates an app, they are encouraged to "sign" the app using a digital certificate that verifies their identity. This is to ensure that the app is really published by the original developer and that the app hasn't been tampered with by somebody else after the developer published it.

In theory that sounds great but before I have to turn off this security feature (Like the other Acid fixes to turn off or disable firewalls) does Magix have plans or indeed the ability to 'sign' Acid as an authentic software programme?

I ask because apparently, it's not just a case of enabling or disabling SAC it's either on or off.

@Alan-Pitt I still hope that ACID 10 will get the same bugfixes that ACID 11 should be getting in the future. But I have no idea when this will happen. Probably when the Sound Forge team finishes the new VST engine which replaces Magix' old VST engine. It's currently in use in the new Sound Forge 16.1 version, but still very buggy.

In this case it's possible that Magix could sign ACID 10 with the new update.

But sadly, it's often the case with Magix programs, that there will be no updates to old versions. There are exceptions so, like Samplitude Pro X which sometimes gets updates even a year after a new version was already released (If enough users complain). So we all need to complain to get ACID 10 certified for Windows 11.

Hey SP thanks again. I'm using Acid Pro 11 Suite currently as I thought version 10 was out of date a while ago. So, just to confirm are you a user who is just passionate about the software or are you linked to Magix in any way? You are extremely knowledgeable about the programme but if Magix doesn't take any notice of users or the issue they face then nothing will ever change. Do they even read this forum? There seems no way to contact them about any issues with software other than through this forum.

An operating system is crucial and Microsoft will not stand still with Windows 11. They will continue to develop the OS and amend it as the future goes on so if Magix is still clinging to Windows 7 in some vain hope that enough users will not update their PCs then they will be in for a shock. It's important that developers heed the latest in security to protect their own interests as well as the safety of users. Somehow, whenever I think of Acid I just think DEAD MAN WALKING and a company who are happy to have the title alone.

@Alan-Pitt I'm a Magix user since the late 1990s. I don't even have ACID installed at the moment. Magix is not monitoring this forum. But they are posting News here. And they wrote that they had stopped ACID development from mid 2020 to mid 2022. Now it's October. In Software development four months it's nothing, especially for very small teams. So it's clear they focus on products that bring revenue.

The Sound Forge development team sometimes gets messages to this forum and they said, they are working on a new VST integration for Magix which should replace the old integration in all their products.

@Alan-Pitt

Hi

. . . . before I have to turn off this security feature (Like the other Acid fixes to turn off or disable firewalls) does Magix have plans or indeed the ability to 'sign' Acid as an authentic software programme . . . .

Magix have already updated a lot of their programs to Windows 11 certification. The process of doing so continues, however it can be time consuming ensuring all the modules within the program run correctly on Windows 11.

What Magix cannot control, and has been seen in the past and appears to be still present, is over zealous 3rd party antivirus programs detecting false positives and either block some features of the software or worst case actually stop it installing/running, in this case the AV manufacturers have to adjust their heuristic detection features once they have been notified by Magix.

John EB
Forum Moderator

johnebaker thanks for your comment.

I don't believe the issue with Acid Pro 11 Suite is overzealous 3rd party anti-virus programmes in this instance. I can install Acid multiple times over without issue but it's actually opening the programme once installed. It works fine but then the -1 error message appears once the software has been closed and an attempt is made to open it.

I also suspect that it's not actually Windows 11 that is causing this problem as people have mentioned this error way before OS 11 was launched. Plus, Joao-Franco experienced the same -1 error code when using Windows 10 and Acid Music Studio.

It seems far more likely that Magixx has just abandoned the software which is sadly, what I feel I must do. Following in the footsteps of thousands of other users who have stopped using Acid and moved on to other software.