Log out, and you'll see that a new icon appears at the Windows logon screen: Administrator. Follow the instructions to the letter, including opening a CMD window, typing the text shown at the HowToGeek site, and then hitting Shift-Control-Enter (very important). Find out how to unhide it by Googling this: 'Enable the (Hidden) Administrator Account on Windows 7, 8, or 10' (go to the link at HowToGeek).

I am using Windows 7: I had to logon on as 'Administrator', which is a big problem for most people, because the logon is HIDDEN. If you have another Sony program, you may be able to find it there, in the 'About' menu pull-down (I found my computerID in Sony's SoundForge 'About' dropdown). First, you need to know the computerID that SpectraLayers originally used. The fix is possible I just hope I can keep it basic and understandable. ADDENDUM: To Richard Stamats and anybody else experiencing the same problem with SpectraLayers Pro 3 (I was one who could not get the program to open).

Just seems to me that a class-action lawsuit is in order over this Sony-caused theft of software usage by MAGIX.

I will no doubt have to replace all of my Sony software with another brand, but it won't be MAGIX. I am now the owner of Sony software, legally purchased, expensive, and my usage rights have been taken away from me by MAGIX. I sent an email to support, received a computer-generated reply with a ticket number.but there is no obvious place on their website to look up the status of your submission, only a message that you sent something to them minutes ago. Once you register, good luck finding anything useful. Sony dumped its user base into the hands of an outfit that cancels your usage rights of your own software! If you go to the MAGIX website, you can't get any support information unless you register (this site actually asks for your birth date.what?).

After spending thousands on various Sony Software products, I now find myself locked out of SpectraLayers Pro 3, with the same 'computerID' issue mentioned in another complaint here. See 'ADDENDUM' at bottom for solution to SpectraLayers Pro 3 problem described by Richard Stamats below. MAGIX Takes Ownership of Your Legally Purchased Sony Software

Magix customer service