Autodesk 3ds Max 2010 fails to launch on Windows 11

Question

The app just loads to this line and crashes (seen in tskmgr).

Used Program Compatibility Assistant to help troubleshoot the issue but Windows's Get Help troubleshooter doesn't even recognize the app.

Following the steps loops back to the Get Help page above...

Answer 1

I managed to solve the issue.

For anyone else facing startup problems in 3ds Max 2009/10, simply backup and delete your stdplugs\mentalray.dlz file.

If ui elements & text are extremely small, select the program, press alt + enter to open Properties, Compatibility > Change high DPI settings > High DPI scaling override, (choose what works best). For me, it was "System (Enhanced)".

Answer 2

Windows 11 is no as compatible with older software as Windows 8/10 was, AutoDesk indicate 3ds Max 2010 is not compatible with Windows 11, and on their forum, everyone indicates that software will not run on Windows 11, but it will run on Windows 10, if you are unable to get that software working on Windows 11 even in Windows 7 Compatibility Mode with administrator privileges, then you either need to update your AutoDesk software or install Windows 10 on that device to run that Autodesk software.