Those are my registry settings under Win11, for XP change registry path to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MultiMedia Corp]

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Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp\SophiesW]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp\SophiesW\1.0.0]

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp\SophiesW\1.0.0\General]
"Home Dir"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp\SophiesW\1.0.0\Install Paths]
"sounds"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sounds"
"bitmaps"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\dibs"
"stats"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\stats"
"avi"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi"
"chunk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk"
"text"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\text"
"fonts"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\fonts"
"help"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\help"
"htm"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\html"
"jpegs"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\jpegs"
"palette"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\palette"
"raw"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sounds"
"rgn"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\rgn"
"sdf"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sdf"
"tdf"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\tdf"
"ttf"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\ttf"
"ani"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\dibs"
"cur"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\dibs"
"rct"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi"
"fmk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\fonts"
"fot"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\ttf"
"mov"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\mov"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\MultiMedia Corp\SophiesW\1.0.0\Specific Files]
"gscenemv.avi"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\gscenemv.avi"
"fsttrklm.avi"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\fsttrklm.avi"
"fsttrkl8.avi"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\fsttrkl8.avi"
"gscenemv.rct"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\gscenemv.rct"
"fsttrklm.rct"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\fsttrklm.rct"
"fsttrkl8.rct"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\avi\\fsttrkl8.rct"
"0p500999.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\refcards\\0p500999.chk"
"gems0012.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\gems0012.chk"
"gbqs0031.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\gbqs0031.chk"
"gbqs0032.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\gbqs0032.chk"
"gems0011.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\gems0011.chk"
"ggfs0021.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\ggfs0021.chk"
"ggfs0022.chk"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\chunk\\sprites\\ggfs0022.chk"
"sreab01_.raw"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sounds\\sreab01_.raw"
"smeab01_.raw"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sounds\\smeab01_.raw"
"sleab01_.raw"="C:\\Spiele\\SWorld\\sounds\\sleab01_.raw"
@="gscenemv.avi fsttrklm.avi fsttrkl8.avi gscenemv.rct fsttrklm.rct fsttrkl8.rct gems0012.chk gbqs0031.chk gbqs0032.chk gems0011.chk ggfs0021.chk ggfs0022.chk 0p500999.chk sreab01_.raw smeab01_.raw sleab01_.raw"

This is the html file spoken about

Mhhh, there is a file in path "sworld/text/groups.txt" which contains the word itsfrom like in the Error Message

I tested Sofies Welt under XPSP3 and ran into Error (2) "Code3410", has something to do with AVIFile reg settings.
Adding this made it work:

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Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\auds]
@="{0002000F-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Compressors\vids]
@="{00020001-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AU]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\Extensions\WAV]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\AVI]
@="{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile\RIFFHandlers\WAVE]
@="{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer]
@="avifile.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020000-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
@="avifil32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020001-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer]
@="avifile.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020001-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
@="avifil32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer]
@="avifile.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{00020003-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
@="avifil32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0002000D-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer]
@="avifile.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0002000D-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
@="avifil32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0002000F-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer]
@="avifile.dll"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{0002000F-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}\InProcServer32]
@="avifil32.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Apartment"

Under XPSP3 i have no script errors with the GROUPS.TXT from the german CD.
I believe that the txt file coding or EOF is the reason of it not working under Win10,
Because iget no errors when i use the US version GROUPS.TXT but undermines that the language inputs, to english answers only...

EDIT: If someone wants to test what I'm talking about:
Since i think this game is abandonware, here you get it:
(Edit by Dominus: link removed)
If this violates some rules, please remove the link!

Sorry had to remove the dl link. Abandonware is sadly not a legal term 😞

I cracked it! It works now!

I used CFF Explorer and changed the dllD.ddls with dlls without D in last name position. Rebuild header and this fixed it somehow.

You need to copy all files to SSD/HDD and set the registry properly. Add the avifile entry and instal indeo video codec. Run with Admin rights and xp sp3 compatibility

It’s a shame this nice game shipped with a broken app32.exe in Germany

A fixed (non debug) 32Bit exe for german Sofies Welt game

Had to reset my Win11, still debug files loaded.
This time its script32.dll, will upload a fixed file too.

In short, Sofies world can run on Win 11 if:

-all files get copied to harddrive
-all folders in registry point to install folder
-you have added HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AVIFile to registry
-install indeo 5 video codec
-the german version is a debug version, you need to use cff explorer to rename imports from
msvcrtD to msvcrt and rebuild the header and save the file. App32.exe and script32.dll are affected. Copy the files like msvcrt.dll from toinsall folder right next to the app32.exe

Actually, there is an easier and cleaner way to get this to work. You have to own the right CD though. There are at least 2 versions of the German CD. The first comes in a jewelcase (CD case), copyright 1997 by New World Vision, and "Sofies Welt" printed on the CD with "Sofies" in orange and "Welt" in green. The second version comes in an amaray (DVD) case, copyright 2002 by Navigo / United Soft Media, all text on the CD is in black and the CD is silver/reflective.

You need the second version from 2002 to get this to work. The CD from 1997 contains a 16 bit version of the game, which needs a 32 bit OS at maximum. However, since Windows 11, Windows is 64 bit only and can run 32 bit software but not 16 bit. Luckily, the version from 2002 seems to be in 32 bit. I tested all of this a while ago in Windows 11 (23H2).

There are 4 options to get this done:

Option 1 (the standard way, standard program launch via APP32.EXE from C:, with patch):

1. Run SETUP.EXE from the CD, and install "Sofies Welt" (tested with installation type "maximal", so most of the files are copied to local drive).
2. There is a patch. If I remember correctly, this is an official one. It reads "Navigo" and "usm.de" when launched. I'm not 100 % certain though. Use at your own risk. At least it's pretty old. I attach it here:
   The attachment Sofies_Welt_Patch ME-2000-XP.7z is no longer available
   Run the patch (may be located somewhere on C:; it likely finds the destination directory where "Sofies Welt" is installed via a registry entry). In the patch, you can also set “Sofies Welt" to run in full-screen mode. To change this afterwards, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, and (un)check "Run this program in 640 x 480 resolution."
3. In the destination directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
4. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the destination directory.

Option 2 (standard program launch, with patch, no CD) - best option, in my opinion, if you trust the patch:

1. Copy the files from CD to a folder on drive C:.
2. Run SETUP.EXE in the folder on drive C: and install "Sofies Welt".
3. Follow the steps from option 1 starting with step 2.

Advantage: This way, the game will run without the CD. Important: The folder containing the installation files is still needed and must not be renamed. Otherwise, the game will no longer start.

If you don't trust the patch, you can use the well-known OTVDM/WineVDM instead (see option 3 and 4). What needs to be copied is adopted from the official troubleshooting FAQ: https://web.archive.org/web/20040821122518/ht … .asp?idfaq=8118

Option 3 (Launch the program from the CD, without a patch):

1. Run SETUP.EXE from the CD, and install "Sofies Welt"
2. Copy the files "SCRIPT16.DLL" and "SOSLIB03.DLL" from the CD, from the “TOINSTAL” directory, to the destination directory. Delete "APP32.EXE" from the destination directory, copy the file "APP16.EXE" from the CD to the destination directory, and rename it to "APP32.EXE".
3. Download and extract otvdm (tested with v0.9.0) and run the "install" shortcut (anywhere on C:).
4. On the CD, right-click SETUP.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply. Run SETUP.EXE again to launch the game.

Advantage: You don't need to use the patch. Drawback: Full-screen mode does not seem to be possible.

Option 4 (Launch the program from the CD directory, without a patch, no CD):

1. Copy the files from the CD to a directory on drive C:.
2. Run SETUP.EXE in the CD directory (the directory on C:) and install the game.
3. Copy the files "SCRIPT16.DLL" and "SOSLIB03.DLL" from the CD directory, specifically from the "TOINSTAL" folder, to the destination directory. Delete "APP32.EXE" from the destination directory, then copy the file "APP16.EXE" from the CD folder to the destination directory and rename it to “APP32.EXE”.
4. Download and extract otvdm and run the "install" shortcut (anywhere on C:).
5. In the CD directory, right-click SETUP.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply. Run SETUP.EXE again to launch the game.

I got curious and also tried to get some other versions (German 1997 and other languages) to work. I found most of them at the Internet Archive. Here are the results. None of the CDs work out of the box. A few files from the German 2002 CD are crucial, they can function as a patch. So I attach them here (I hope this is okay - if not, please delete):

There are also 2 versions of the English game. Most of the files in the root folder either date from 1997 or 2002, so there also is a 1997 and a 2002 version.

How to install the English 1997 or 2002 CD ("Sophie's World") on Windows 11:

1. Copy all of the files from the English CD to your local C: drive. I guess a folder right at C: with a short name could make a difference, so create a folder like "SWINSTALL" and copy the files to this folder.
2. Copy the files from the German 2002 CD (see above) also to this folder and overwrite the SETUP.EXE. The files are the following. The files other than SETUP.EXE may not be needed in game (they contain German text) but SETUP.EXE wants to copy these and so they are needed in order for SETUP.EXE to work:
   SETUP.EXE
   LIESMICH.TXT
   HTML\SFSNP02_.HTM
   HTML\SLIRO01_.HTM
   HTML\SMYRO02_.HTM
   HTML\SNARO02_.HTM
3. Run SETUP.EXE from your local drive. It's in German, simply click "weiter" and choose "Maximal" at one point (the other options may work too, but I only tested this option).
4. No further patch needed. In the target directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
5. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the target directory.

The English 2002 CD is essentially missing 2 more files that are on the German 2002 CD but do not get copied to the local drive during installation:
DIBS\P60BN011.BMP
DIBS\P60BN012.BMP
These are only sprites that are part of the encyclopedia menu. So it shouldn't influence the gameplay to much if at all. They may even be included in another way, as other sprites as part of the English files. So I'm not including them here.

The English 1997 CD is missing these 2 files and 1 more:
HELP\SOPHIE.GID
I don't know what it's for. You might be safer to use the 2002 CD with this method presented here.

How to install the German 1997 CD on Windows 11:
The 2002 CD and the 1997 only differ in the SETUP.EXE, which is essential for Windows 11 as is the patch.

1. Copy all of the files from the 1997 CD to your local C: drive. I guess a folder right on C: with a short name could make a difference, so create a folder like "SWINSTALL" and copy the files to this folder.
2. Copy the files from the German 2002 CD (see above) also to this folder, that is, only the SETUP.EXE from this package is needed. Overwrite the existing SETUP.EXE.
3. Run SETUP.EXE from your local drive and choose "Maximal" at one point in the installation process.
4. The official patch mentioned in my post above is needed. Download, extract, and install it.
5. In the target directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
6. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the target directory.

How to install the Norwegian 1997 CD ("Sofies verden") on Windows 11:

1. Copy all of the files from the 1997 CD to your local C: drive. I guess a folder right on C: with a short name could make a difference, so create a folder like "SWINSTALL" and copy the files to this folder.
2. Copy the files from the German 2002 CD (see above) also to this folder, that is, all of the files but SMYRO02_.HTM! - This is only for the English CDs. Overwrite the existing SETUP.EXE.
3. Run SETUP.EXE from your local drive. It's in German, simply click "weiter" and choose "Maximal" at one point (the other options may work too, but I only tested this option).
4. The official patch mentioned in my post above is needed. Download, extract, and install it.
5. In the target directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
6. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the target directory.

The German 2002 CD and the Norwegian 1997 CD differ a lot. So it's hard to tell whether this installation trick really does the trick or if the game crashes at some point. I haven't tested it. Though to improve your chances you might want copy the following files from the Norwegian CD to the local drive as these are not on the German CD and might have been copied by the original Norwegian installer if it was used:
HTML\BIGQMODE.HT
HTML\SMYRO03_.HTM
SDFNO\AGORAM.SDF
SDFNO\AGORAS.SDF
SDFNO\AGORA_AC.SDF
SDFNO\BAROQUES.SDF
SDFNO\BTLINES.SDF
SDFNO\CAMERAOB.SDF
SDFNO\DELTA.MVM
SDFNO\ECLIPSE.SDF
SDFNO\FAIROUT.SDF
SDFNO\FARSIDE.SDF
SDFNO\FFATE.SDF
SDFNO\INTRO.SDF
SDFNO\INVITAT.SDF
SDFNO\LEGO.SDF
SDFNO\LIMBO.SDF
SDFNO\LUCKYNOS.SDF
SDFNO\MEDIEV.SDF
SDFNO\MYTHS.SDF
SDFNO\NATPHIL.RDD
SDFNO\NATPHIL.SDF
SDFNO\PENTA.SDF
SDFNO\RENAIS.SDF
SDFNO\REVOLUT.SDF
SDFNO\ROMWOOD.SDF
SDFNO\RUNES.SDF
SDFNO\SCENES.SDF
SDFNO\SDF.TXT
SDFNO\SENSE.SDF
SDFNO\SUBCON.SDF
SOUNDS\SFSVO01_.WAV
SOUNDS\SRVVO01_.WAV
SOUNDS\SRVVO02_.WAV
SOUNDS\SRWVO01_.WAV
TDF\OOGH\DATACARD.16
TDF\OOGH\DATACARD.PDF
TEXT\BIGQMODE.TX

Good luck! It would be great in case this works to let other people know here. Or in case it doesn't work what goes wrong and if so if you have found some solution.

Fixedit4u wrote on Yesterday, 11:59:

Option 1 (the standard way, standard program launch via APP32.EXE from C:, with patch): […]
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Option 1 (the standard way, standard program launch via APP32.EXE from C:, with patch):

1. Run SETUP.EXE from the CD, and install "Sofies Welt" (tested with installation type "maximal", so most of the files are copied to local drive).
2. There is a patch. If I remember correctly, this is an official one. It reads "Navigo" and "usm.de" when launched. I'm not 100 % certain though. Use at your own risk. At least it's pretty old. I attach it here:
   The attachment Sofies_Welt_Patch ME-2000-XP.7z is no longer available
   Run the patch (may be located somewhere on C:; it likely finds the destination directory where "Sofies Welt" is installed via a registry entry). In the patch, you can also set “Sofies Welt" to run in full-screen mode. To change this afterwards, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, and (un)check "Run this program in 640 x 480 resolution."
3. In the destination directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
4. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the destination directory.

Thank you for the patch of the german exe! This one works with my version which seems to be the troubled 1997 version. I cannot find the 2002 version on the net.
This exe, which gets to be copied in the game folder, is UPX packed and loads a debug dll: MSVCRTD.dll. Well at least it runs, but i think the avifile reg fix is anyway needed.

You are welcome. The patch works with your 1997 version? That's interesting because I have a 1997 CD too and I don't get the installation from the 1997 CD to run on Win11 with just the patch. I wonder if we have identical CDs. Maybe we can figure this out. I will create a hashsum for all the files on my 1997 CD later on.

At what point is the avifile reg fix needed? I didn't get how it works exactly yet.

Like I described in my last post, I can install and run the 1997 version by overwriting the SETUP.EXE with the 2002 version (that's the only file that is new on the 2002 CD) and then applying the patch and using XP mode. Have you tried that?

Well, you may have missed my 2nd post because you say you can't find a 2002 CD online. I provided the SETUP.EXE from my 2002 CD. All the other files are identical to the 1997 CD ... Have a look at this here:

Fixedit4u wrote on Yesterday, 19:38:

... A few files from the German 2002 CD are crucial, they can function as a patch. So I attach them here (I hope this is okay - […]
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... A few files from the German 2002 CD are crucial, they can function as a patch. So I attach them here (I hope this is okay - if not, please delete):

The attachment Files from German 2002 CD as patch.7z is no longer available

...

How to install the German 1997 CD on Windows 11:
The 2002 CD and the 1997 only differ in the SETUP.EXE, which is essential for Windows 11 as is the patch.

1. Copy all of the files from the 1997 CD to your local C: drive. I guess a folder right on C: with a short name could make a difference, so create a folder like "SWINSTALL" and copy the files to this folder.
2. Copy the files from the German 2002 CD (see above) also to this folder, that is, only the SETUP.EXE from this package is needed. Overwrite the existing SETUP.EXE.
3. Run SETUP.EXE from your local drive and choose "Maximal" at one point in the installation process.
4. The official patch mentioned in my post above is needed. Download, extract, and install it.
5. In the target directory, right-click on APP32.EXE, select Properties, then Compatibility, check the box next to "Run this program in compatibility mode for" "Windows XP (Service Pack 3)" (or Service Pack 2), and click Apply.
6. Now you can run the game with the APP32.EXE in the target directory.

...

I‘m unsure if the installer is installshield.
He is definitively 16bit only, had to copy files to hdd/ssd.
In case of installshield 3 and 5 there are universal 32bit installer. Saw them on pcgamingwiki.
Your patch: sofies welt works on my installed version, as it replaces the app32.exe with a working one.
Look at the beginning of this thread, i had problems after installing snd running this game.
So i tried to get what the game wants with these errors…