For the Program Files location:
For the ProgramData location (hidden folder):
If Soundtoys 5 fails with an error like “cannot create Soundtoys version root folder at Soundtoys 5” (or similar “cannot create folder” / “permission denied” messages), the host application or installer can’t write the plug‑in’s support files to the expected location. The steps below walk through the most common causes and how to resolve them on macOS and Windows.
Summary checklist (try in order)
Why this happens (brief)
macOS: step‑by‑step fixes
Run installer as admin
Check the folder path and permissions
Remove file/folder locks and quarantine flags
Check SIP and protected locations
Disable cloud sync and antivirus temporarily
Test with a new admin user
Windows: step‑by‑step fixes
Verify target folder and permissions
Remove read‑only or owner issues
Disable antivirus / controlled folder access
Avoid writing to cloud‑synced folders
Additional troubleshooting steps
Reinstall latest Soundtoys release
Remove partially created folders
Disk space and drive errors
Compatibility & OS versions
When to contact Soundtoys support
Quick fixes to try now
If you want, tell me your OS (macOS or Windows) and the exact error text and I’ll give exact terminal/PowerShell commands and the most likely folder paths to check.
This is a common error when installing Soundtoys 5, typically on Windows. It usually happens because the installer does not have the necessary Windows permissions to create a new folder in your Program Files directory, or because a previous installation attempt left behind a "ghost" folder.
Here is a step-by-step guide to resolving the error.
Previous uninstallations may leave orphaned registry entries that confuse the new installer.
Warning: Editing the registry incorrectly can damage your Windows installation. Proceed with caution and back up your registry first.
Once installed successfully, the root folder SoundToys 5 will contain subfolders like Components, VST, VST3, etc., and the error should no longer appear.
The error message "cannot create soundtoys version root folder at soundtoys 5" typically occurs when a Soundtoys 5 plugin attempts to initialize its directory structure (often for presets or user data) but lacks the necessary system permissions or encounters a conflict with the file path.
This issue most frequently affects users on Windows and macOS during initial setup or after a system update. Core Causes of the Root Folder Error The problem generally stems from one of three areas:
Permission Restrictions: The software lacks "Write" access to the required directory. cannot create soundtoys version root folder at soundtoys 5
Antivirus/Security Blocking: Third-party security software identifies the folder creation as a suspicious action.
Redirected System Folders: Moving your system's "Temp" or "Documents" folders to a different drive can confuse the installer's hardlink logic. Step-by-Step Solutions 1. Fix Directory Permissions and Security Settings
Most root folder errors are resolved by ensuring the plugin has permission to write to its default preset location.
Windows Solution: Navigate to C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\. Right-click the Soundtoys folder (if it exists), select Properties, and ensure "Read-only" is unchecked. In the Security tab, ensure your User account has "Full Control".
Mac Solution: Go to /Users/Shared/Soundtoys/. Right-click the folder, select Get Info, and under "Sharing & Permissions," set all users to "Read & Write".
Antivirus Check: Temporarily disable your antivirus or add an exclusion for the Soundtoys installation directory and your DAW. 2. Reset the Windows Temp Folder
If you have moved your Windows Temp folder to a secondary drive to save space on your SSD, Soundtoys 5 may fail to create its root folders.
The Fix: Reset the TEMP and TMP environment variables to their default location: C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Local\Temp. 3. Clean Reinstall (The "Trash and Reinstall" Method)
If the error persists, corrupted old folder metadata (sometimes showing dates as old as 1970) can block new folder creation. Uninstall Soundtoys 5 via your system's uninstaller.
Manually Delete any remaining Soundtoys folders in the following locations:
Mac: /Library/Application Support/Soundtoys and /Users/Shared/Soundtoys
Windows: C:\Program Files\Soundtoys and C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Soundtoys Restart your computer.
Reinstall using the latest installer from the Soundtoys download page. 4. Host-Specific Fixes (FL Studio / Ableton)
Sometimes the error is triggered by how the DAW interacts with the plugin:
FL Studio: In the Plugin Manager, find the Soundtoys entry showing an error. Manually set the "Type" to Effect and hit "Apply Changes".
Ableton: Ensure you are not running Ableton as an Administrator, as this can sometimes create permission mismatches for sub-processes. Summary of Default Paths For the Program Files location:
To verify your installation, ensure the following "root" paths exist: Preset Root Folder Plugin Root (64-bit VST) Windows C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Soundtoys\Soundtoys 5 C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins\Soundtoys macOS /Users/Shared/Soundtoys/Soundtoys 5 /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST/Soundtoys [Source: Soundtoys Knowledge Base, Sweetwater FAQ] Soundtoys 5 released! - Page 4 - Gearspace
The error message "cannot create Soundtoys version root folder" typically occurs due to restricted system permissions or non-standard system configurations that prevent the installer or plugin from writing necessary files. Primary Troubleshooting Steps
Reset System Temp Folder (Windows Only): If you have moved your Windows Temp folder to a different drive, the installer may fail to create the root directory. Resetting the Temp folder to its default location (C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Local\Temp) has been a confirmed fix for this specific error.
Run as Administrator: Ensure you are running the Soundtoys 5 installer with administrative privileges. Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" to bypass potential folder creation restrictions.
Antivirus Interference: Some antivirus or security software can block installers from creating new folders in protected areas like Program Files or Public Documents. Temporarily disable your antivirus or add the installer and your DAW to its "safe" or "exclusion" list. Verification and Manual Folder Checks
If the installer continues to fail, verify that you have access to the default root and preset locations: Windows Default Paths:
Presets: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Soundtoys\Soundtoys 5. Plugins: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\Soundtoys. macOS Default Paths: Presets: /Users/Shared/Soundtoys/Soundtoys 5. Plugins: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/. Additional Solutions
Clean Reinstall: If you are updating, manually delete existing Soundtoys folders from the locations listed above, empty your trash, and restart your computer before attempting a fresh installation.
iLok Verification: Ensure you have the latest iLok License Manager installed and that your licenses are properly activated to your computer or a physical iLok key, as activation issues can sometimes trigger unexpected folder errors in DAWs.
Are you encountering this error specifically during installation or when opening a plugin inside your DAW?
Soundtoys V5 Preset location, presets not saving and hardlinks
If you are encountering the error "Cannot create Soundtoys version root folder at Soundtoys 5," it is almost always caused by a Permissions Issue or a Broken Previous Installation.
Here is the step-by-step guide to fix it.
SoundToys provides a dedicated uninstaller utility that removes every trace of their software from your system. This is often the nuclear option that works when nothing else does.
| Cause | Explanation |
|-------|-------------|
| Permissions issue | User account doesn’t have write access to Program Files, ProgramData, or the SoundToys target folder. |
| Antivirus / security software | Real-time protection blocks the installer from creating folders. |
| Leftover files from previous install | Old or corrupted SoundToys folders conflict with the new installer. |
| Corrupted installer | The downloaded .exe or .pkg is incomplete or damaged. |
| Windows User Account Control (UAC) | UAC restricts folder creation at system level. |
| Incorrect install path | Installer tries to use a path that doesn’t exist or is invalid. |
| Long path / special characters | Rare, but if your username has accents or spaces, some installers fail. |
Sometimes a previous failed install created a file or folder that Windows now considers "locked," preventing the installer from overwriting it. For the ProgramData location (hidden folder): If Soundtoys