None of the solutions from the automated system work and I've already tried them all anyway, even 5 - uninstalling/reinstalling. Suggestion 3 to check for updates is impossible as Studio won't start, 1 isn't worth commenting on. Yes, great, a professional should look at it and that professional should be from RWS, but that won't happen. If RWS can't guarantee that software is even going to work for just 5 years, then it's scandalous, but it's obviously a good marketing ploy, because the obvious 'solution' is to buy the newest version and then do the same in 3-4 years time. Just keep paying out for shoddy service.

The last and least attractive option is to do a whole windows reset, choosing to keep personal files (if possible) then reinstall absolutely everything outside of Windows again. After that I would need to keep Windows Update under tight control, if that is still possible, and keep an eye out for the latest two WIndows updates and prevent them. Obviously no guarantees even with that and a massive pain in the youknowwhat.. 

None of the solutions from the automated system work and I've already tried them all anyway, even 5 - uninstalling/reinstalling. Suggestion 3 to check for updates is impossible as Studio won't start, 1 isn't worth commenting on. Yes, great, a professional should look at it and that professional should be from RWS, but that won't happen. If RWS can't guarantee that software is even going to work for just 5 years, then it's scandalous, but it's obviously a good marketing ploy, because the obvious 'solution' is to buy the newest version and then do the same in 3-4 years time. Just keep paying out for shoddy service.

The last and least attractive option is to do a whole windows reset, choosing to keep personal files (if possible) then reinstall absolutely everything outside of Windows again. After that I would need to keep Windows Update under tight control, if that is still possible, and keep an eye out for the latest two WIndows updates and prevent them. Obviously no guarantees even with that and a massive pain in the youknowwhat.. 

Nicholas Miller 

Have you tried a Trados Studio reset?  

To do this just close Trados Studio and then rename this folder:

c:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\SDL\SDL Trados Studio\15.0.0.0\

to c:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\SDL\SDL Trados Studio\15.0.0.0_old\

If you can't find this folder then you need to unhide your hidden files/folders:

www.howtogeek.com/.../

Then restart Trados Studio and see if that helped.  If it didn't I'll log a case for you with the support team.