TMPGEnc Freeware says 'invalid file'

[Leo48]

For a one-time conversion of a .VRO file I downloaded TMPGEnc 2.525 (dated 2008). Starting the .exe I get the sphlash screen all right but then 'Invalid file. Please re-install.' Which I did, to no avail. Is this a known problem? The OS is XP Sp3.
TIA

[Baldrick]

Did you extract ALL files to a folder and then run the tmpgenc.exe? You will get that error if you just run the tmpgenc.exe alone.

[Leo48]

Yes, I did extract all files to a folder, even downloaded the zip a second time from the other link. And right now I tried the french version, same problem.
Thank you for your time.