After a year of running Avid Pro Tools HD v12.5 AudioUTOPiA on windows 11 home edition I woke up to it not wanting to open. It's in the loading stage and quits. I've uninstalled all plugins and still the same thing. I then uninstalled all avid pro tools data and folders and reinstalled the program again and it's still the same thing. I then uninstalled this version and installed the 12.3, then a error came up staying the iLOK isn't working with this machine and it quit. I then uninstalled that version and went back to the 12.5 and installed the pace ilok app and then started it and it's the same thing. I went into the folder and trashed all preferences and the same thing happened. I took all plugins out of the folder and the same thing is happening. I tried to do everything I don't know what to do because this just happened out of nowhere. Does anyone have any clues?

 

You mentioned getting rid of plugins, but did you try launching PT with all plugins disabled?

If your PT computer is online, you could take a quick look at your firewall ruleset. Just to check that box.


It sounds like you have already done most of what there is to recommend. But did you use Revo Uninstaller to remove it and all iLok-related things 100% and reinstall cleanly? You did not mention that, and if not; maybe any leftover Avid detritus could be screwing up your reinstallation attempts? I would try that if you didn't do it already.

Get those things out of the way. Maybe you already did those and just did not mention.

 

I didn't disable all plugins, but i did delete everything from all folders containing plug-ins, I did look at my firewall and protools is on the accept rule. I didn't use revo uninstaller, but i will try that.I know it has to be something messing with this because it worked perfectly fine for a whole year. Thanks for the reply

 

What operating system are you using? Did you get a Windows update?

 

windows 11 home edition. I did have a windows update, but i uninstalled the 2 updates and still the same thing.

 

I saw that you mentioned deleting them, but you are likely in the predicament due to leftover files. Launching PT with them disabled anyway, could rule out any plugin-related junk. It's like booting your computer into safe mode.

PT should be blocked at your firewall, both inbound and outbound. If you have plugins that need to connect to the web, like legit iLok plugins; you can create exceptions for any of those later on.

Those are the easy ones, and if it is none of them; you might have to wait until someone who is actually running 12.5 to help. Hopefully you can't trade timebomb in 10 yr old software stories with them.

Did this all happen right after the Windows update you did?

 

I just did the revo uninstaller and removed everything that was possible and did a fresh install and its still doing the same thing,

 

You left out that part about Windows update. That's the first thing I'd think you would find to be your problem. With software that old (12.5) is it even a good idea to let Windows update? I thought most of the de-bloated Windows versions usually have that disabled...

 

you cant have it disabled permanently, only for a certain time and then it will turn back on

 

Uninstall Pro Tools, Fully Remove PACE/iLok Drivers, Delete all leftover files,
You can then also use CCleaner to clean the registry, restart the PC and reinstall.

Fully Remove PACE/iLok Drivers

Uninstall PACE License Support using Revo Uninstaller or similar to ensure registry and hidden files are wiped.

Delete any folders left in:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Pace\
C:\ProgramData\Pace\
C:\Users\<YourName>\AppData\Roaming\PACE\

Clean the Registry (Backup First)
Use a tool like CCleaner or Autoruns from Sysinternals to clean out leftover Avid, PACE, or iLok entries.

Install Clean Pro Tools HD 12.5 AudioUTOPiA
After doing the above, re-install Pro Tools 12.5 AudioUTOPiA using the original installer.
Do not update iLok or PACE, and avoid connecting to the internet during the install and first launch.

 

Avid Knowledge Base
Pro Tools quits unexpectedly while loading plug-ins on launch
PT-206888

Last Updated : June 15, 2022
Products Affected : Pro Tools, Pro Tools HD, Pro Tools First, Pro Tools Ultimate

On Pro Tools systems with several hundred plug-ins installed, Pro Tools may quit unexpectedly on launch. If this occurs, try the following:

1. Go to your Pro Tools plug-ins folder:

• Mac: Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio
• Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio

2. Move the Plug-Ins folder to the Desktop.
3. Create a new Plug-Ins folder:

• Mac: Simply launch Pro Tools and it will automatically regenerate a new Plug-Ins folder with its pre-installed plug-ins. Close Pro Tools once it's fully loaded.
• Windows: Right-click on an open space in the Audio folder, then click New > Folder. Name the folder "Plug-Ins" (Take note that "P" and "I" should be capitalized and no spaces in between the words and dash).

4. Move plug-ins to the new Plug-Ins folder in batches (instead of moving them all in one go). For example, move 10 plug-ins at a time in order to monitor if there are any specific plug-ins that may be causing the crash:

• Open both the new Plug-Ins folder and the old Plug-Ins folder.
• Move a few plug-ins from the old folder to the new folder
• Each time you move a batch of plug-ins, launch Pro Tools and verify it is able to launch successfully.
• If it launches, quit Pro Tools and move another batch into the new Plug-Ins folder.
• Repeat the process until you've moved all of your plug-ins and have launched Pro Tools successfully.

 

somewhere between Windows 11 and it being Avid PT, I think reinstalling Windows could be in your near future. Hopefully you have a recent backup. You want to hear that from someone who uses either of them, not me.

 

so i went to install another pro tools release a version 10 and guess what it says the ilok is missing on start up. whatever happened the iloks are not working on my computer with any release and i bet it has to do with a windows update that screwed up my app. It's probably blocking the ilok from being installed on my computer which is what is cracking the software. The only choice I have really is to reinstall windows again or get a cracked one that has windows update stopped from updating. This sucks ass. There's no way to uninstall these updates and there's no way to stop windows 11 from totally updating. I'm pretty sure this is going to affect a lot of people soon .

 

Scan your PC for errors using CMD?
Use the System File Checker tool to repair missing or corrupted system files
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...em-files-79aa86cb-ca52-166a-92a3-966e85d4094e

The question that remains is what happened between yesterday (working version) and today (non-working version)?

Take your Control over Windows 11/10/8/7 updates with StopUpdates10 Free!
Version: 4.7.2025.0424 (Date: 04/24/2025 - April 24 2025)
Windows 11 24H2 is supported!
https://greatis.com/stopupdates10/

 

Last edited: Apr 30, 2025 at 5:34 PM

I tried this and it still quits on the loading page. It gets to the plugin loading and its not loading any plugin, but it exits out right away.

 

Did you ever remove iLok Manager and all associated files with it cleanly with Revo and reinstall them? This was in my very first post.

It's funny that post contains comments about Mac, when you clearly state in the thread that your issue is with AudioUtopia Protools 12.5. There is no working Mac version of Protools 12.5 from AudioUtopia. Those responses are wasting your time. It is like taking your car to a mechanic to fix, and them telling you the problem is being caused by your anchor.

 

Yes I did remove all ilok and associated files. I know about the mac lol. I'm still puzzled on what happened. I have other cracked software on here and all of those work perfectly fine.

 

I wrote a piece on this when Audioutopia first dropped the soft it's a older post.The forum i was a member of made it a sticky so I put it here it's lengthy you're warned.

Maybe usefull

Spoiler: Protools Fix Settings

solutions on getting rid of dae errors one by one im using Windows 8 but this may help some who are having problems running correctly.
System Requirements (Windows):
Computer: Avid-qualified Windows-based computer or laptop
OS: Windows 7 SP1 (32 or 64-bit)
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz processor or faster
RAM: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB recommended)
Minimum 15 GB free hard disk space for installation
pic
Disconnect From Internet!
1.Do not install anything yet get Pro Tools 10.3 Installer (Win) from here.
http://secure.digidesign.com/services/avid/kb/downl...ArticleId=43572. Instruments are here as well
Instruments DVD works using same procedure.
pic
2.Make sure to have latest ilok drivers here:
www.ilok.com/download-ilok-software.html .You may have to restart after installing.
3.Make sure graphics drivers are up to date.You may have to restart after installing.
4.Make sure sound card drivers are up to date or use aiso4all from here:
http://www.asio4all.com/ i used beta version.
5.Make sure all your hard drives names are short less than 11 characters.
6.Now install all of the above except Pro Tools 10.3 Installer (Win)
7.Open up Cmd go to start choose run type in cmd or right click on start (win Cool choose cmd as admin in the Command prompt , type
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOff and press Enter.You should see operation successful
To
Enable DEP this is what dev suggests
In the strong>Command prompt , type
bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx Optln and press Enter.You should see operation successful.
Note: I choose always Off!.If off dosent work choose bcdedit.exe /set {current} nx AlwaysOn and press Enter.
Restart CPU after doing either of these
8.Now unzip Pro Tools 10.3 Installer (Win) choose extract here using winrar.Once extracted you should have a protools folder with setup in it.Instead of using this
go to view at the top (win Cool choose options.To the right of that select view tab. Under advanced settings choose show hidden files and folders and drives.Click apply then OK.
9.Now u will have a folder that says Pro Tools Installer double click open the folder there are 2 files here.(Setup.exe and Avid protools.exe) right click setup first.Choose properties >compatibility >Check the box run this program for windows 7.Then check run as admin at the bottom.Click apply then OK.Now do the same for Avid protools.exe execpt it says run this for previous version of windows.There is no admin option here as its greyed out.
10.Now install using Avid protools.exe,Once done u should have protools HD10 on your desktop right click choose properties>compatibility tab,make sure it says run as admin at the
bottom.
11.Now apply team patch
Make sure u run the patch as admin as well.
Troubleshooting steps if none of the above work:
Internet explorer Fix!
Open Regedit (from Run Window enter “regedit” press OK)
In Regedit browse to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Internet Settings
Right click on the empty space in the right hand side of Registry Editor window and choose New > DWORD Value
Name the DWORD AllowCookies and press enter
Double click on the AllowCookies DWORD and enter 1 in the Value Data field then press OK
Launch Pro Tools
Read the manual!
Optimize your pc for protools important!
Windows Guide - Windows 7 Optimizations and Troubleshooting.
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/troublesho...49411?popup=true
Download the answer base as there are many codes for dae errors.Its impossible to answer them all here.
http://archive.digidesign.com/support/abase/
Protools fails to launch Dae error 13001 once started.Run as admin this is no longer a problem
Hold N key while launching protools for cache prompt raise or lower there..Dae error 9514
Hold shift key down launching protools brings up waves prompt if having problems with waves disable,enable etc.
Cannot adquire Digidesign Hardware:Dae error 6010
The workaround is
Go to My Computer/Control Panel/System/
Click on the Advanced tab and then Performance Settings
Click on the Avanced tab
Select "Adjust for best performance of Background Services"

Update:This error[MF : application has been compromised]
Fix has been found!
If freezes when scanning plugins from Native Instruments (Kontakt 5, Guitar Rig etc)
Using these steps above this is no longer a problem.
pic
All waves plugins work all soundtoys and and ni kontakt battery etc plugs work withought a hitch.
pic

Like holding down the N key

 

that looks like a nice writeup for Windows 8. But before he allowed Windows 11 to update, it was working already.

@rokit0825, I have an idea for a more related test for you to try. There is a thread on here about Soundtoys giving away their new creative plugin called Soundblender for free. It uses iLok. Sign up with Soundtoys to get that plugin for free. This way you will have a non-tampered iLok protected plugin which should absolutely work with no issues.

Soundtoys thread: https://audiosex.pro/threads/soundtoys-free-spaceblender-promo-offer-limited-time.79973/#post-843491

It will open in BlueCats Patchwork Standalone when it is correctly authorized. I already tested this. You could use Patchwork, or any other plugin host like a wave editor, other DAW like Reaper. Do not do anything with Protools.

When you get the Soundtoys plugin loaded and working, you will know you have correctly fixed all the iLok software, dependencies, and services running underneath it.

This will rule out your Protools install completely by using a legit and free iLok plugin. When you have verified that is successful, then approach installing Protools again.

 

what about Quicktime and bonjour service? that can also be uninstalled after a successfull PT opening.
without QT it only write log files here at launch.
C:\Users\Public\Documents\Avid Video Engine\Avid FatalErrorReports.

it can be related to apple update service that seems blocked since 08/2024 by windows security.