Plugins Showing as "Missing" in 3ds Max 2024 on Windows 11 Despite Correct Installation Path

[hamoodpg]

I'm experiencing an issue in 3ds Max 2024 on Windows 11 where installed plugins are showing as "missing" when I hover over them, despite the installation paths being set correctly. The plugins previously worked fine on 3ds Max 2024, but now they are not loading properly. Here's what I’ve tried so far:

1. Verified the plugin paths under Customize → Configure User Paths → 3rd Party Plugins.
2. Reinstalled the plugins multiple times.
3. Checked file permissions and ensured I have full access to the plugin directories.
4. Cleared the cache by deleting the PlugCfg folder.
5. Ran 3ds Max as an administrator.
6. Updated my Visual C++ Redistributables.
7. Ensured 3ds Max is fully up to date with the latest service packs.
8. Checked for conflicts with other installed plugins.

Even after all these troubleshooting steps, the plugins still appear as missing. I'm running the 64-bit version of 3ds Max 2024 on Windows 11. The issue started recently, though everything was working fine before.

Any suggestions on how to resolve this would be greatly appreciated!

  

[larryminton · Accepted solution]

We are able to reproduce this issue.  

Windows 11 24H2 is setting the #system attribute on the following folder: "C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local". As part of our script security, we don't load startup scripts (including macroscripts) from folders that have either #system or #hidden attributes set. This check is propagated up through the parent folders. There are special cases where this check terminates, including whether hit the AppData folder.  But since attribute is now set on Local, we don't hit that check.

If you look at max.log, you will see an entry similar to:

2024/10/30 08:24:32 INF: [06452] [02764] Hidden/System startup script: 'C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2025 - 64bit\ENU\usermacros\DragAndDrop-Macro1.mcr', skip loading...

You can resolve the  issue by running (substitute in your user name):

setFileAttribute @"C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local" #system false

[StudioAIDA]

Do I have to run this command in a Max Script Listener window or in a cmd window?

[KasperFilipsen]

(
	local systemEnvionment = ::dotNetClass "system.Environment"
	local localAppData = systemEnvionment.GetEnvironmentVariable "localAppdata"
	setFileAttribute localAppData #system false
)

A more general use script, that should work for everyone without needing to change the script for each user.

Copy the above script, go to Scripting > New Script

Paste the script and go to Tools > Evaluate All

[spacefrog_ · Accepted solution]

this can also can be done from the windows commandline  ( without maxscript )
running the following command

attrib -S %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local

hitting Windows-R, pasting above line and press Enter should do the trick

[StudioAIDA]

Thanks, KasperFilipsen and spacefrog for the two solutions. They worked perfectly for me.

Since they are easier to use, I would suggest not marking hamoodpg 's post as a solution. In addition, they do not require copies of the macros in the document folder.

[florencia_oneil]

This worked perfectly for me! There was no need to roll back Windows updates. I'm currently using WINDOWS 11 24H2. Thank you!

[neilcross]

Legend!

[stevej.3d]

Was just setting up a new Max 2025 install today and trying to get all my scripts working from a 2024 install on another machine. Usually just getting the various .ms and .mcr files moved around to the right folders and pointing things to the right folder works, but was going crazy not being able to get it to work. I could get a script working while in Max and add it to a toolbar, but relaunching Max and it was missing. 

Turns out it was this Win11 AppData folder inheriting hidden attributes issue. Glad I found this thread.

[alvinhuangVJ9VZ]

yes this was a big issue for me, especially trying to install the plugin Design Connected's Connector 3D thank you!