plug ins not showing as VSTs

[R1V3R5]

so i got some plug ins, they worked. then i accidentally uninstalled visual studio. i reinstalled it. now when i download plugins they dont appear as vsts, just .dll's. does anyone know what i need to download and how i should setup the folders for my plugins. i have 2 vst3 folders, one in program files>common files>vst3 where there is a plugin. there is another vst3 folder in program files x86, which also has the same plug in. how do i setup my folders and what do i need to download to make these dll files appear as vst files?

[CutterFiltoff]

I think I'm having the same issue, but it only applies to the elektron overbridge plugs I'm trying to use.

[R1V3R5]

i uninstalled all the plugins, and uninstalled ableton and am reinstalling and hopefully it will reset the pathways. if that doesnt fix it then i have a problem with how the code is being converted.

[R1V3R5]

did you ensure it went to the right path when you installed it?
"As a consequence, no Plug-in manufacturer knows exactly where the Plug-in should be installed into on a specific system, so most of them will just create a standard folder to install the Plug-in to (for UJAM Plug-ins on Windows this is "{SYSDRIVE}\Program Files\VstPlugins\UJAM\"). "
https://support.ujam.com/hc/en-us/artic ... -can-I-do-
https://support.ujam.com/hc/en-us/artic ... ug-in-dll-

[Mark Williams]

No standard for 64bit vst's, but there is a standard for VST3's which should be installed by default into C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 which is for 64bit, and is the system default.

[R1V3R5]

I just found out my program data file was hidden and a melda production vst slid something in there. so none of the melda vsts were working. thats not my problem though but it might be yours.

[Mark Williams]

You really need to take charge of the installation of VST2 plugins, or they will end up everywhere, I install all VST2's into C:\VST, and leave VST3's to install into the default system folder as previously mentioned.

[R1V3R5]

man, im finding sneaky stuff allover the place. when i uninstalled ableton, they left this huge ableton package in program data and ableton wouldnt reinstall.

[R1V3R5]

my problem is with reaplugs. i really need the vst to work for restreaming into obs. how do you know if its vst2 or 3?
https://www.reaper.fm/reaplugs/

[Mark Williams]

VST3 will show as file extension .vst3 whereas VST2s are .dll's

[R1V3R5]

man no matter what i do i cant get it to show up in ableton

[Mark Williams]

Live 10 and onwards only recognise 64bit plugins, are you installing the 64bit versions

[R1V3R5]

yeah. i cant get any .dll files to activate or be found by ableton.
all the vst3s work.

[Mark Williams]

As previously mentioned, you need to get a better understanding of your folder/file management, and ensure Ableton is scanning the correct folder. Also ensure you are installing the correct bit versions for whatever version of ableton you have.

[jestermgee]

Post a screenshot of your plugin pref in Ableton and also the VST2 folder where your plugins are installed