Changing system default VST directory in W7

deadlightbulb

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Hello everyone,
I've run into a little problem. I need to change the default VST directory on my system, but it seems the method of doing so is different from Vista and XP. You used to be able to change it in the registry. Does anyone know how to do it in 7?

Reason for this change is the fact that I have quite a few VST plugins installed, but many of them are incompatible with Adobe Premier and Media Encoder, among others. Looking back, I should have installed effects and instruments in separate directories. :(

Any help is greatly appreciated, Thanks! :)
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5Ghz
Memory
8GB 800MHZ
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce GT 220
Sound Card
M-Audio Delta 44
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
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750 GB Seagate SATA, WD MyBook 1TB External USB, 250GB Seagate External USB
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder 3.5G
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LAPTOP:
Sony Vaio VGN-NS110E
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
P Dual Core @ 2.00GHz
2GB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Intel 4 Series Express Onboard GFX

Desktop (Gettin' Old):
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
ASRock ConRoe 1333-D667
P4 3.40GHz
4GB RAM
GeForce 8500 GT
250GB S-ATA
15" LCD
*bump*

please, does anyone know how to change default vst dir in w7?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5Ghz
Memory
8GB 800MHZ
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce GT 220
Sound Card
M-Audio Delta 44
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
Hard Drives
750 GB Seagate SATA, WD MyBook 1TB External USB, 250GB Seagate External USB
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder 3.5G
Internet Speed
3mb/s DSL
Other Info
LAPTOP:
Sony Vaio VGN-NS110E
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
P Dual Core @ 2.00GHz
2GB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Intel 4 Series Express Onboard GFX

Desktop (Gettin' Old):
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
ASRock ConRoe 1333-D667
P4 3.40GHz
4GB RAM
GeForce 8500 GT
250GB S-ATA
15" LCD
All my VST plug-ins install in my Program Files/Cakewalk/VST Plugins. This is the "default" directory. I just installed the Antares Auto-Tune EFX VST and it automatically installed in that folder.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
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ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
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16GB Corsair Dominator
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Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
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27" Dell S2719dgf
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2560X1440
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1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
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BeQuiet Silent Base 600
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Deepcool Captain 120EX
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Microsoft Wireless 2000
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Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
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Edge/Firefox
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Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
All my VST plug-ins install in my Program Files/Cakewalk/VST Plugins. This is the "default" directory. I just installed the Antares Auto-Tune EFX VST and it automatically installed in that folder.

Thank you for your reply, but I think you missed the question. I know where my default VST directory is, and so does my system. I wish to change the default VST directory so that when a program like Adobe Premier starts up and thinks "Where are the VST plugins?" it doesn't look in my current VST directory. As I said, it is easy to do in Vista and XP, but the solution is not clear in Windows 7.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5Ghz
Memory
8GB 800MHZ
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce GT 220
Sound Card
M-Audio Delta 44
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
Hard Drives
750 GB Seagate SATA, WD MyBook 1TB External USB, 250GB Seagate External USB
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder 3.5G
Internet Speed
3mb/s DSL
Other Info
LAPTOP:
Sony Vaio VGN-NS110E
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
P Dual Core @ 2.00GHz
2GB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Intel 4 Series Express Onboard GFX

Desktop (Gettin' Old):
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
ASRock ConRoe 1333-D667
P4 3.40GHz
4GB RAM
GeForce 8500 GT
250GB S-ATA
15" LCD
problem is solved. i swear i must be losing my mind. under further inspection of the registry, the value is here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Wow6432Node > VST > VSTPluginsPath

It is different than previous versions of Windows, but not much. There are several keys and values containing the letters 'vst' that have nothing to do with 'Virtual Studio Technology'. So that's why it didn't jump out at first. :D
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Asus
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.5Ghz
Memory
8GB 800MHZ
Graphics Card(s)
Geforce GT 220
Sound Card
M-Audio Delta 44
Screen Resolution
1440 x 900
Hard Drives
750 GB Seagate SATA, WD MyBook 1TB External USB, 250GB Seagate External USB
Mouse
Razer DeathAdder 3.5G
Internet Speed
3mb/s DSL
Other Info
LAPTOP:
Sony Vaio VGN-NS110E
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
P Dual Core @ 2.00GHz
2GB RAM
160GB Hard Drive
Intel 4 Series Express Onboard GFX

Desktop (Gettin' Old):
Windows 7 Ultimate x64
ASRock ConRoe 1333-D667
P4 3.40GHz
4GB RAM
GeForce 8500 GT
250GB S-ATA
15" LCD
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