How to change environment variables to set up VST plugin path

cem · 10 Apr 2021

Hello,

Bu default Windows sets the destination folder as 'Steinberg'... I need to change that to 'VST Folder'...

My previous Windows 10 (pre 2016) had a registry tweak for it. But my new Windows 1809 system didn't have any Hkey for VST, so I made one from previous experience in here:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VST

But it didn't do the trick. I can't seem to find any string that contains 'Steinberg'. So I have no idea how the Steinberg path is keep being the designated path for VST installs...

Any help would be appreciated...

cheers

spunk · 11 Apr 2021

You do not need to hack the registry to change the VST directory.
By Default, the Steinberg path is C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTplugins. That is where the DAW looks for the plugin. You can copy the plugins from the VSTplugins folder and Paste them into C:\Program Files\VST or VSTplugins where all your other plugins are saved.

cem · 11 Apr 2021

Okay but you miss my point. I want to change that default! I don't use Cubase and I want to change \Steinberg\ with \VSTFolder\
in the registry string. So I do need that hack...

spunk · 12 Apr 2021

I don't use Cubase either, I use Ableton Live, and I have all of my VST's in C:\Program Files\VST. In Ableton/Preferences, I change the Plugin database folder to that and it loads every time. If you installed Steinberg after you installed your DAW, it automatically loads the VST's from the Steinberg studio to the VST folder. You do not need to edit the Registry.

cem · 13 Apr 2021

I know all that... But that's was not my goal...

Here is the answer I received elsewhere and it worked...

1. Create a new key named "VST" in the folder "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE" MainMenu > "Edit" > "New" > "Key"
2. In the new key "VST", create a new String Value named "VSTPluginsPath" MainMenu > "Edit" > "New" > "String Value"
3. Enter your VST path ... press ENTER on "VSTPluginsPath"

Thank you all