OK, I've done that. The program still closes a few seconds into launching.

@Ludwig-Bouwer Please check the Windows Reliability Monitor for errors. If Sound Forge crashed there should be a detailed error description which can tell us more.

https://petri.com/solving-problems-using-reliability-monitor-in-windows-10/

Description
Faulting Application Path:    C:\Program Files\SOUND FORGE\SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 17\Audiostudio17.exe

Problem signature
Problem Event Name:    BEX64
Application Name:    Audiostudio17.exe
Application Version:    17.0.2.109
Application Timestamp:    6476d2e5
Fault Module Name:    sfvstwrap.dll
Fault Module Version:    1.0.0.4733
Fault Module Timestamp:    6476d152
Exception Offset:    00000000008c931c
Exception Code:    c0000409
Exception Data:    0000000000000002
OS Version:    10.0.19045.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID:    1033
Additional Information 1:    165c
Additional Information 2:    165caa728e79f7293eae9d05e3b34a7f
Additional Information 3:    20c7
Additional Information 4:    20c7f372ffe7169e3cc9015e7ed03dca

Extra information about the problem
Bucket ID:    d6e0760cb9a43b545b21ea4a6ae6d905 (1955101318597499141)
 

I'm seeing the same behaviour with SF17 Audio Studio demo

@Ludwig-Bouwer I suspect it crashes during the VST scan.

Try moving the audio_plugin_scan_server and audio_plugin_scan_server_x64 executables in the Sound Forge program folder to a different location, for example create a new backup subfolder and move them there.

I think Sound Forge cannot scan for VST plugins if these files are missing.

You'll get an error message during program initialization but maybe it works.

Please tell us if the programs starts fine after doing that.

Moving the folders themselves, or pointing the folders to scan elsewhere?

@Ludwig-Bouwer Moving the scanning executables which you can find inside the Sound Forge program folder.

Hi SP, I've purchased the full version as it is on sale now - still the same issue. I have moved all Plugin Scan exes to a temp folder completely outside the SF folder and it still closes. Please advise.

Try resetting SF. If it crashes before you can get to the 'File> "Reset all preferences and clear cached data", hold down the 'Ctrl+Shift' keys, whilst launching SF, which will opens the reset/clear cache tool.

Otherwise try temporarily moving the VST plug-ins out of the VST search folders. Typically in 'Program files> VST and Steinberg, The same for Program files (x86). If SF opens normally, add back a few of the <.dll> plugin files to ID the offender,

Thanks so much - I have done the reset and that doesn't work. To be honest, if moving my VSTs (2500 of them) is required then there is something severely wrong with SF17 - I have never in my life had to do that to get a DAW to work. Magix has to fix this problem, whatever it is.

@Ludwig-Bouwer No, there might be something wrong with a single VST in your collection. We can't tell which.

Is there no way to disable all VST scans so that the program can launch? My SF14 works perfectly, by the way..

@Ludwig-Bouwer Yes, I think there are VST scan server exe files in the Sound Forge folder. Simply move them temporarily to another location. You should only get an error message and then the program should start. Does this help?

If SF14 works fine, your problem might have something to do with the new VST interface that was implemented since SF 16.

I did move the exe's and the program still crashed. I have uninstalled SF17 and will do a full new install. Does SF17 not have sandbox scanning as an option?

The VST grovel file is in the 'C:\Users\- USER NAME -\AppData\Local\MAGIX\Sound Forge Pro\17 (system) folder.

You might try uninstalling SF with a third-party uninstaller. Magix and many folks recommend 'Revo Uninstall' that can remove the 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 version. The free version is adequate in most cases unless a forced uninstall is needed.

@Ludwig-Bouwer Please hold CTRL and SHIFT and double click on the program icon to start Sound Forge. Keep holding CTRL and SHIFT until a small window appears that will ask you if you want to reset the program settings. Do this. This helps very often if the program cannot be started.

Worked first try, thanks.

Yea, that didn't solve any real problems. I made Magix refund me, actually, as they were unwilling to make an effort.