Hello there,
I have some old H2O team VSTs that I am trying to install on my Windows 11 PC, but they freeze.
I have tried compatibility mode, everything... they just freeze on the splash-screen and nothing happens.
If anyone has a solution for this, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

unpack them manually with Universal Extractor and move to the vst folder

 

Thank you for that. That helps, but the issue is that some of these VSTs need patching, and that is not as straightforward to find how that is done.

 

what kind of patching? please name the release
dont forget to check arent they 32bit first, cause you'll need some 32bit software to use them, bridge software or Reaper

 

Hi @IAeoNI,
please give us the list with the full names of the programs you can't install, so we can test it ourselves under Windows 11.

Spoiler: Source: ChatGPT KI

Install Java (If Required)

• Some versions of H2O may depend on a specific version of Java.
  
  
• Download the correct version of Java from the official website, or use OpenJDK if required by the older H2O version.
  
  
• After installation, set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to point to your Java directory.

H2O Releases Archive --> https://audiosex.pro/threads/h2o-releases-archive.31016

 

Last edited: Oct 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM

Win 11 tends to dislike and avoid , often disallowing running anything windowed with 16bit code in it. Unfortunately, a lot of software from that period was in transitioning phase from 16bit to 32bit and now we're in the 64bit era. I'm impressed you even got it to run in Win 11.

P.S.
- The only way i can conceive you installing and running inside Windows 11 would be in a virtual machine running nothing older than Windows XP SP2. Even then it may not work, you may have to go farther back.

 

Last edited: Oct 30, 2025 at 10:30 AM

You could monitor the installers on a virtual machine with Win7, 8 or 10 using VMware Thinapp or Total Uninstall Pro
and then move files and registry to your main machine.

VMware Workstation Pro is now free to use since Broadcom bought vmware.

What VST's do you try to install?

 

Last edited: Oct 30, 2025 at 11:38 AM

A few tips, or things to try, for installing or running the old stuff on WIN11. You may need to use two or more in combination for things to work.

- Run the installer as admin. Not just an account with admin rights but right click 'Run as admin' as well.
- Some of the older 32bit packages actually use 16bit installers or 'launchers'. Use OTVDM (WineVDM) to install or run the 16bit stuff.
- Try running the installer from C\root. Some of the older items do not like longer paths \ pathnames or have problems with non 8.3 conventions.
- Make sure Defender, antivirus, etc. are not blocking the item as well as files it relies on in Windows TEMP and C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Temp
- If the Radium, H2O, etc. deployment package\wrapper fails to install, do not close out the error screen. Look in the Temp folder for a 'temp' copy of the actual installer and try installing using that.
- As others mentioned extract (Universal Extractor, etc.) the files and place manually.
- Try different 'Compatibility' modes as others have mentioned.

P.S. I run ancient stuff like Voyetra DOP 3, Evolution Sound Studio II. Just installed the MOTU Unisyn 1.5 (Radium) on latest WIN 11. Via grabbing actual installer from Temp dir and installing via otvdm

 

Using an "unpacker" app like the one mentioned or Inno Unpacker occasionally works with some plugins and provides you with a .dll that you can just drag and drop. More often it does not. It depends on the plugin.

 

those old softwares, are made with old packers so they mostly work

 

Try installing old Visual Basic C++ libraries (x86 and x64)
On ghost spectre toolbox, they provide an installer for MIcrosoft Runtime / Visual Basic C++ / Redistributable all in one from all yeas (ex 2002,2005,2008,2010... 2024)
I had problems with few old plugins and after installing that it worked for me. Give it a try.

 

Thank you Synclavier, for your reply. I just tried two of them from an archived DVD I have: LinPlug.Albino.VSTi.v2.1.1-H2O and IZotope.Ozone.DX.VST.RTAS.v3.07.incl.KeyGen-H2OI did stop after noticing that the same issue happens on both. I have a feeling that something like what LuckyLuke7 is mentioning in his reply might be missing from my pc and not allow the setup/installer exe to run properly. I did download them at the time when WIndows XP was the shit, and all these also installed OK on my old Windows 7 system.
The Universal Extractor worked to unpack the exe and get the VST dll and soundbanks and place them inside the VST folder, but the VST requires a serial key when I try to use it. I guess that the installer would patch/crack the VST/registry to look legit.

I will try this. Thank you for your suggestion. Will keep updating this post with anything I find that works for me.

Thank you so much for your detailed reply. I did most of the things you recommended before I created this post. The things I try to install are not that ancient, at least I don't think. They are VST's collected from 2005 to 2009 time. If I remember correctly. ( you make me feel old )

I want to thank everyone who has replied so far. Wow, what a great community here.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Oct 31, 2025 at 4:34 AM

If those old files came off a DVD from an ancient Windows version, it’s usually easier to just download the software again. Most of it is tiny, and you’ll probably find recent tips from people who’ve tried installing it lately. Many of those old releases are still pretty easy to find. Old free software is usually another story.

Here’s the latest all-in-one Visual C++ redistributable: link.

Old archives often got corrupted just from burning or copying. Remember those CRC errors? Scan the files again before running the installers to avoid finding out new things about old files.

Do you really need these old versions, to get old projects open or something? I ask because, as an example; Albino 3 was resurrected by Rob Papen as Albino Legend and is included with Rob Papen Explorer 9. Most people who want the old version of Ozone seem to stick to v4 or v5. Also very easy to find. You can still track down lots of those oldschool apps and plugins but updated to right before they jumped the shark.

 

Last edited: Oct 31, 2025 at 3:49 AM

Thank you for your reply. Yes, mainly I need them to open old projects, and they are looking for the old VST.
Thanks for the redistributable link. I installed it, and after a restart, the setup.exe still freezes (the H2O logo/splashscreen shows up, but soon after, it offers the option to stop the process).
I also tried WineVDM to open the two VST installers; it said on both that they are Win32 executables, not 16.

 

Last edited: Oct 31, 2025 at 4:36 AM

it's not the files.

 

Last edited: Oct 31, 2025 at 6:31 AM

You are right in your assumptions regarding Linplug at minimum (I'm not sure about Ozone). I had this problem. Some really old plugins register itself when installing them. And they make LOG files (Just text files with .LOG extension) in the folder where they have been installed. Serial may be there. Or they even install keygens with the software in the same folder. So:

- install them in any virtual machine on Windows XP or Win 7(I use VirtualBox) and search for logs or keygen in folders where plugins have been installed

or

- if you have an old HDD with installed plugins search here for logs/keygens.

 

will the DAW project open with different version numbers?

 

Last edited: Oct 31, 2025 at 6:32 AM

Hello @IAeoNI,

I found this version "Linplug - Albino v2.02 VSTi - H2O - Win32 - 8.6.2004 - 7,94 MB"
on my hard drive and installed it successfully. Please check your mailbox.

Spoiler: Linplug Albino VSTi v2.02

Linplug Albino VSTi v2.02

In 2002 Rob Papen approached Peter Linsener of LinPlug with his idea of a sound-designer's dream synth... A few months later ALBINO was born!

Within a very short time it stole the hearts of many musicians due to it's high quality sound, usability and inspirational presets.
Together with his ideas and the wishes of his users, Rob and LinPlug mastermind, Peter Linsener, created ALBINO 2.

Key features

- Modular and extendable design currently with 3 Oscillator Modules, 2 Filter Modules, 2 Envelope Modules and 8 Effect Modules 32 note polyphonic (CPU dependent) Unlimited sound programs, Sound Browser

- More than 1250 Rob Papen presets

- up to 4 oscillator per voice, various High Quality Oscillator types with countless waveforms Amplitude and Frequency Modulation and "Pulse Width Modulation" for all (!) waveforms, Sync 2 filters per voice, each with 2 types of multimode filters, altogether 12 filter modes, saturation control 8 envelopes per voice, 2 types: 5 levels / 5 rates with loop and enhanced ADSR Mode Variable keyboard and velocity tracking, individual for each envelope 4 individual LFOs with various waveforms, broad range of tempo sync, Symmetry and Phase adjustable, additional LFO-DAD-Envelopes Controller hardware (faderbox or synth) can be used to control Albinos parameters using the LinPlug ECS

- Portamento / Glide with various options, constant Time or Rate and Auto-Bend Adjustable Precision to bring in the warmth of good old analogue modules Sophisticated Arpeggiator with 32 programmeable steps, several modes, swing, several clock settings,save/load/copy/paste and many more functions

- Unique modulation matrix with hundreds of modulation routings Spread for ultra-fat sounds (up to 20 Oscillators) Microtuning support for different scales 2 effect blocks with two chorus, flanger, phaser, filter/distortion, two delays and reverb effects.

- Fully recognized velocity, mono and poly aftertouch, pitch bend, mod-wheel and various other controllers.

- Full version comes with a comprehensive PDF manual (box version with printed manual) Sample accurate timing, full automation and settings are saved with your song

Installation notes:

1) Unzip, Unrar and run Setup.exe
2) Enjoy!!

 

Windows 11 ---> This data is from my PC, not from AI! --> Please check and reinstall if necessary.

Close all running programs such as VPN, etc.

.NET Framework (e.g., version 3.5 or 4.8)
Many programs (e.g., older software) require it to run.
https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet-framework/net48

Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes All-in-One Jul 2025
www.techpowerup.com/download/visual-c-redistributable-runtime-package-all-in-one

Java SE 8 Archive Downloads
jre-8u461-windows-x64
https://www.oracle.com/de/java/technologies/javase/javase8u211-later-archive-downloads.html

O&O ShutUp10++: Free antispy tool for Windows 10 and 11
www.oo-software.com/en/shutup10

Run System File Checker ---> In the Command Prompt window, type the following command, and press ENTER:
sfc /scannow
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...em-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

Add Admin Rights to a User Account in Windows 11

Windows 11 Instructions

- Select the Windows Start button, and then, select Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Under Family & other users, select the user's name.
- Then, select Change account type.
- Under Account type, select Administrator.
- Select OK.
- Sign in with the new administrator account.

Then restart your PC.

 

Thank you for this. I will use it if I don't manage to figure out what to fix and install my archived VSTs.

I have installed the All-in-One Visual C++ Redistributable Runtimes and the Java SE 8. The .NET Framework 4.8 said that a later update is already installed. After the restart, the issue persists.
I dread doing this but I guess i will have to use some sort of VMs as some of you suggested.