I tried running the game from the Gog Galaxy 2.0 and just using the .exe files. Both ways result in a little black rectangle being shown for a few seconds on the screen and then disappearing -- that's it.

My specs are:
- Gog's version of Might and Magic 9
- Windows 10 64bit
- latest nVidia drivers for my 1080Ti
- both lithtech.exe and mm9.exe set to "Disable full-screen optimisations" and "Run this program as an administrator"
- my dxcfg.exe has everything set to default.

I tried setting the compatibility mode to Windows XP SP 2 and 3, Win 7 but the result was always the same.
I also tried Mok's cshell.dll file but there's no difference, either.

Could I get any help?

Mine runs as best as it can on Windows 10 x64.
I have no compatibility settings on either mm9.exe or lithtech.exe.
In the "Additional executables" section under the game in GoG Galaxy there should be a DirectX settings.
All those on mine are "Defaults" except Display Mode is "Same as Desktop" and Scaling Method is "Integer". The latter would probably be personal preference. Integer does keep the 4:3 ratio game was designed for.
Using the "Settings" under Additional executables, 3D sound I have off (it was buggy back in the day for most games anyways). Advanced, all on left unchecked, all on right checked.

Note: Use lots of saves. Multiple ones, not just saving over. This game was buggy/unfinished when released and corrupted saves was common. Plus, it will crash to desktop during play at times. Even with fixes out there that are supposed to fix. And it does have the big fan made TELP 1.3 fixes included already.

There is also dgVoodoo, which can replace the ddraw.dll in the games folder as well. Though the "DirectX Settings" seems to be some alternative similar to dgVoodoo.

Thank you for your tips, zandrag.

I've set everything exactly as you said, i.e. no compatibility, "Display mode same as desktop" and "Scaling Method: Integer".
I also checked the "Settings" and my 3D sound was off and the "Advanced" were all the same as yours.
Unfortunately, it still doesn't work :(

I have done so much on my computer for getting legacy games to work since XP was the OS, I lose track of everything.
Another thought:

Make sure you have DirectPlay installed?
PC Settings -> Apps & Features -> Optional features -> on right top "More Windows features"

Under Legacy Components in the small window that pops up should be a DirectPlay. Check that and hit OK.

Yeah, I googled that yesterday and looked it up on my system but it's been on :(

Right, ok!
I wrote about this to Gog's support and they actually managed to help me out so I'm now gonna detail the solution here in case someone else might have the same problem in the future.

I was asked to provide a report from DxDiag. You can run this if you type "dxdiag" in Windows's start menu; once it's finished gathering data on your setup, it can save a .txt file with a report. Do it.
Open the file afterwards and search for "lithtech.exe" (it's the executable for MM9).

In my case there were a few error reports for lithtech.exe and all of them detailed "DINPUT.dll". The people from support reckoned it's a problem with one of my input peripherals so I started disconnecting them one by one and checking if the game'll start.

It turned out that's exactly what happened -- I disconnected my SteelSeries Siberia P800 headset and suddenly the game just ran.

I'm extremely grateful to the people in Gog's game support and to @zandrag as well: thank you for your help :)

LOL! I have the same headset and the same problem. I can play MM9 again now.Thanks!

EDIT:
Switching the input to AUX on the transmitter box and connecting a standard mini jack between my PC and the box allows me to play MM9 with the headset.

Thanks for the investigation and solution.

Disconnecting my headset (Logitech G533 Bluetooth wireless) allowed the game to start for me.

I was also in an earlier thread about this topic and posted your solution over there, giving you named credit.
Again, Thank You.

If you have integrated Intel videocard + Nvidia card you might want to try this:
1. Find and click Nvidia Settings in your tray.
2. Go to Manage 3D Settings/Program Settings.
3. In "Select a program to customize:" Choose LithTech (lithtech.exe). "Add" it if it's not on the list.
4. In "Select the preferred graphics processor for this program:" choose "High-perfomance NVIDIA processor"
5. Run the game.

https://github.com/elishacloud/dinputto8

A patch made by Elisha Riedlinger which fixes the dinput.dll issue

Just extract it to the game directory, and run the game, got rid of the crash on startup for me and I can use my wireless headset just fine

Thanks for information and link. The listed .dll works for my game. No more back-up headset plugged into the monitor for me.

Also, hopefully without overstatement, this is how the Internet can work. Random people around the world able to provide each other with useful information just because they want to.

Thank you for the link, this is how I got the game running on my machine. 8th gen i5, Win 11 pro 23h2. got all my headsets disconnected, just in case.

Well...

Rename lithtech.exe (MM9 folder) to any other name:
Example: lithtechz.exe
(The GOG fixes applied to lithtech.exe breaks the game on Windows 10)

Mouse movement jittery/skipping pixels and crashes at startup::
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Might_and_Magic_IX#Mouse_movement_jittery.2Fskipping_pixels

Loading screen freezing :
https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Might_and_Magic_IX#Loading_screen_freezing
(Basically removes loading screens xD)

Fixing Black night/water and crash on exit:
Download DXWRAPPER - https://github.com/elishacloud/dxwrapper/releases
Unzip it in some folder and copy the following files to the MM9 folder
dxwrapper.dll, dxwrapper.ini and from Stub folder ddraw.dll
Edit dxwrapper.ini (MM9 folder) and change this options to:
DDrawCompat = 1
EnableDdrawWrapper = 1
HandleExceptions = 1

Save!

Solved most of the problems!
Have Fun!

hello. i tried that but now eaven tho i saved the reoirt when i ran "dxdiag" and tried opening the game t didnt work... i need help

This works! The game is no longer crashing on Windows 10.