I can't open Audacity 2.0.5

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

I just installed Audacity 2.0.5.exe on Windows 8.1 64 bit. It downloaded, seemed to go through the install ok, then when I click on the program to open it, I see a brief flash on the screen, but it does not open. I have uninstalled, restarted and re installed, but the same problem. I checked the FAQ and tried to find the answer, but to no avail. Thanks for help with this.

2

Uninstall the version of Audacity you have then download 2.0.5 from us: http://audacityteam.org/download/ .

If the problem persists, do a complete overnight virus scan.

If your machine is free of viruses, it could be some security application that is actually causing the problem because it thinks Audacity is behaving undesirably. For example your application could object to Audacity’s splash screen or its Install VST Effects dialogue. You could tell your application that Audacity is safe. Look in the instructions for your security application for how to add exclusions.

If you cannot solve the problem that way, it could be a problem with an audio device on your computer. Show hidden files and folders ( http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/how-to-see-hidden-files-in-windows/#windows8 ) then look in UsersAppDataRoamingAudacity for the audacity.cfg file. Open audacity.cfg in Notepad, Edit > Select All, Edit > Copy then paste in the contents here.


Gale

3

Thanks, I recently did a deep scan and also checked with Malawarebytes. I will try the other tips.

4

I uninstalled again, restarted, I am currently using Webroots and I disabled it and installed again. It asked something like did I want to reset my preferences and I said yes. I then went to my AppData folder (I already have it so I can see the hidden folders but checked again) and in the Audacity folder, all that is there is an empty AutoSave folder and plugins.cfg. I opened the plugin folder with Notepad and it is empty too (0 bytes) it was modified 12/10/2012 and created 2/7/2014. Those are all that is in the folder, there is no audacity.cfg. I still only briefly see the splash(?) screen and nothing else. I hope that helps.

5

I got it to work. I installed the zip file and not the exe file. Not sure what was different, but it brought me to a screen about the VSTs and I took the defaults. This had not come up before. Thanks again!

6

Thanks for letting us know.

It’s probably due to Webroot interfering (or some other security tool). Malwarebytes (at least the free edition) does not block Audacity.

Some security software thinks a “compressed installer” such as Audacity uses is indicative of potential malware. It’s possible the security software allows Audacity to install but not run but sees no harm in the zip version of Audacity.


Gale