Studio 8 suddenly locking up / freezing

I've been using Studio 8 for years. Have the latest update installed (8.31), etc. No issues...until now.
 
So...here's the issue. Yesterday, as I was attempting to "open a project" or a preexisting file, it just freezes up. No error message, nothing. I hit the CTRL+ALT+DEL to do a forced shutdown of the program. Tried it again...same thing.
 
I can open the program up (either regular or as administrator). If I open a "open a recent project," it opens right away. If I attempt to open a file from a folder that has a *.wrk, *.mid *.cwp, it will load, but with a brief error message: "There was a problem sending the command to the program." Nonetheless...it will still open and play. But, if I attempt to open a project after that...it freezes.
 
I've uninstalled the program (twice now). I've disabled all the VST plugins, I've tried running it with a modified MSCONFIG.EXE startup (nothing loading), and still the same damn thing.
 
I'm at a complete loss here.
 
Anyone have any ideas?
 
Oh, and by the way, I also have Sonar Professional 64-bit, ver 23.4.0 build 38 - it runs without any issues at all. Have had it installed for about a year now. I know..."why not just use that one?" Well...because I'm still trying to get used to it. LOL! :)
 
Thanks in advance for any help! I appreciate it!

What I do is rename the VST folders in Cakewalk x86 and 64, I put a 1 in front of them. (and any other VST folders)
 
Usually a project having troubles will load and Cakewalk will complain it cannot find a lot of things. I will slowly add items back into the VST folders.