3ds Max 2013 does it work under Windows 11 or Windows 11 Pro?

[jellowone]

My PC that I build back in 2013 unfortunately died this week, it was a nice machine with dual Xenon processor, but I was unable to get it to work so I am now forced to buy a new machine.

Unfortunately, all new machines come with Win11 or Win11 Pro. My concern is my legitimate copy of 3ds Max 2013 may not work with this machine. Before I make this large investment, does anyone have any experience with this old version of 3ds Max on this OS?

I know this is an old version of 3ds Max but I am not a commercial artist and as you can imagine, I spend a lot of money purchasing it in the first place and it basically does everything I need. I would rather not have to buy both a new computer and a new 3ds Max so please response if you know the answer.

Thanks ahead for your help.

[RobH2]

What version of Windows was on the machine that died? 

[darawork]

Hi,

I had 3DSMax 2020 running under Windows 10. Then we switched to Windows 11 and 3DSMax 2020 stopped working. Wouldn't even load up, loads of errors. AutoDesk Support told me that they don't support 3DSMax 2020 under Windows 11, so in the end we just uninstalled 3DSMax 2020 and moved to 3DSMax 2022. Be it that they "don't support it" as in want nothing any longer to do with it, or "don't support it" in a "software not compatible with Windows 11" sense, I do not know.
If it was my own PC at home, I might have figured out a way to get 3dsMax 2020 working under Windows 11, but having no Admin rights here I hadn't a chance in hell to get it to work. So the moral of the story is; You could always try it and see (it's looking like you have no other choice anyways), but I wouldn't bank on Autodesk providing you with any support for such an old version (no offence intended to 3DSMax 2013). They only provide support for the current version, plus three versions prior.

Regards,

[jellowone]

Thanks for the replies guys!

My current machine that died was running Windows 7 Pro.

I do have this 3ds Max 2013 running on my laptop also which is running Windows 10 Home. I suppose if I buy a new machine, I could just junk Win11 and try to run Win10 in it?

[jellowone]

So it seems you are able to run 3ds 2014 under Win 11 Pro with no problem?

[darawork]

Hi,

Sounds like a plan. Windows 10 will be suppported by Microsoft until October 14th 2025.
If i could go back to Windows 10 from 11, I would. A lot of stuff annoys me about it.

(From Robs signature, it looks like he's running 2024 on Win11 Pro. I've 2024 at home on Win 10).

Regards,

[RobH2]

I would maybe suggest installing Windows 7 Pro on the new machine if you still have an installer. Then install Max 2013 and make it a dedicated Max box. It's not optimal, but it might get it working without much expense. 

And yes, I do have Max 22, 23 and 24 all running nicely on Windows 11. I think I preferred Windows 10 but I decided I'd bite the bullet and dive in for better or for worse. So far, I'm happy with it now that I've gotten used to Windows 11. I don't think I'd go back, nothing is malfunctioning such that I'd need to do that. 

[jellowone]

Well that is an option. But since it would be an expensive high-end machine, it would be a shame to run Win 7 on it if only because I have to wonder if the device drivers for the new hardware on it would be backward compatible with Win 7 and would be able to take full advantage of the CPU and other hardware/

Having said so, I have zero problems with it being a dedicated Max box because that is what it actually is.

[RobH2]

Yea, I know. That's why I said, "not optimal." The best thing is if you have a nice box now is to bite the bullet and join the rest of us with the modern Max version. It's so much more capable and amazing. I know it has a big cost associated with it but if you prorate it backwards for 10 releases, it's not that much per year...lol...  

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do. Bottom line, it's unlikely 2013 will run on Windows 10 or 11 without issues even if at all. 

[jellowone]

I think if I was a true 3D artist, I would not hesitate. But the fact is 3D to me is a means to an end. I am a naval historian and I use 3D to recreate what has been lost and I publish books on that topic and the graphics is just part of the book. As such, my 3D model is already as good if not better than what is already available and there is zero need to improve as it just takes time from me that I need for other parts of the book.

[RobH2]

That's interesting and I understand what you are saying.

However, knowing all of that does not solve your problem. Your old machine died and the version of Max you have is unlikely to run on it. So you have a new machine and need to still do your historical 3d work. I'm guessing the books you publish don't pay enough to justify buying Max.

If your 3d work is simple, yet till better than what's out there, maybe a free 3d software package will suffice. Have you looked at Blender? Sketchup might work for you as well. There's a free version but the Pro version is not very expensive and it's quite powerful. You might also be able to find a local software repair shop that sells used computers. You might find one that still works and has Windows 7 on it for $100 bucks or so. Then put Max on it. You'll have another machine, but use your new one for everything else and the used one for Max 2013. 

Anyway, just thinking out loud. You'll figure out the right solution. It would be interesting to see some of your historical work. Good luck with it. 

[jellowone]

What you say also make sense. First, you are correct in that the books which actually done quite well having sold tens of thousands of dollars in net cost, but the profit does not justify Max. 

My work is good but not simple. It is good because they are accurate and as such, they are extremely complicated and nothing simple and each take close to a year to build in Max. As such, switching software is not really an option (a medium complex example is attached here). It's complexity requires a high-end machine - thus the reason for my original machine being a dual Xenon. Buying an old machine has crossed my mind, but the fact is all computes have a certain life and 10 years is indeed old. So an upgrade is a good solution if I don't have a potential problem with the software compatibility...

[RobH2]

Wow, yea, that's not simple. Those take some time to model for sure. Nice work.  Thanks for sharing it. 

So it just comes down to economics now. The only thing we can count on in this world it that "nothing will stay the same." You've reached the "end of life" for some old software code and just have to decide it the cost of moving forward is worth it. In you case, I don't think there is any way around upgrading Max if you want to keep doing your nice historical models. FYI, there is an Indie version of Max that is a lot less expensive if you make less than 100K a year. Look into it. It is a full version and is not crippled. 

 https://checkout.autodesk.com/en-US/indie-cart

[jellowone]

Thanks! I am actually a 70 odd year old retiree and naval history is just one of my hobbies that I have participated in for 50 years. So it's not really a job in any sense, and the income from the books are nowhere remotely close to 100k. So this Indie version is of interest to me but unfortunately your link seems to only lead me to an empty basket. I have visited the Audodesk.com website and don't see an "indie" version, so it would be great if you can tell me a bit more about it.

[RobH2 · Accepted solution]

Try this link. I just Googled "3ds max Indie version" and got a link. You can try the same. It's the same as any other commercial version, nothing is missing. You just have to be eligible to purchase it. 

https://makeanything.autodesk.com/3dsmax-indie

[jellowone]

Thanks a bunch! I find it OK and that is a much more attractive and reasonable offer for a user like me. I will definitely look into it should my old 3ds Max 2013 fail and this would be a lifeline!

Thanks again!

[domo.spaji]

I believe your Max 2013 will work just fine in new OS.

Things aren't changed that much, in fact Max is still riding on same driver/direct X like 2013 vers.

[RobH2]

There you go @jellowone maybe it "will" work. I hope so. Thanks for weighing in @domo.spaji . Doesn't hurt to try for sure and if not, look into the Indie Max version.

But, I tell you, Max is a different animal now than it was in 2012/2013. For the complex kind of modeling you do, you'd enjoy the new modeling features. 

[jellowone]

Yes, I am quite happy now thanks to you guys knowing that there is a chance for success with my old Max but that there is a path forward if it does not!

THANKS AGAIN guys!

[jellowone]

Well, I bit the bullet and splurged and brought this machine. It was heavily discounted due to the slower version of the i9 but not a problem for me as I am sure this beast is head and shoulder faster than my old 2013 dual Xenon.

Lenovo ThinkStation P360 30FM0019US Workstation - 1 x Intel Core i9 Hexadeca-core (16 Core) i9-12900 12th Gen 2.40 GHz - 32 GB DDR5 SDRAM RAM - 1 TB SSD - Tower with a NVIDIA Quadro RTX A4000.

In retrospect, my old machine dying was probably a good thing as it and the old Max was very long in the tooth...  So with this new machine, I am a convert to moving to the Max Indie. However, since the new version is probably quite different than my old Max, and I am sure I didn't even make full use of (although having done 3DCG since the 90s, I have very little formal education in 3D modeling as my degree although a Ph.D. was in the biological area), any suggestions as to how best to properly educate myself with this new software? I am not against starting from ground zero....