How to Uninstall Pro Tools First

Pro Tools is one of those programs that really likes to stick around. It takes up a lot of space, creates folders in multiple locations, and doesn’t uninstall as smoothly as a normal program. Read on to find out how to remove Pro Tools First from your computer.

Whether you use Windows 10 or Mac Os X, you should back up your audio plugins before uninstalling Pro Tools. Your plugins may have been installed to the Avid/Audio folder, and you could risk deleting them during the installation process.

Uninstall Pro Tools First on Windows 10

The Avid Knowledge Base recommends uninstalling Pro Tools First like most programs. Try this method before you attempt anything else.

Step 1: Navigate to Your Programs

On Windows 10, go to your Start menu. From there, navigate to Windows System > Control Panel > Programs and Features.

Step 2: Uninstall Pro Tools

You’re looking for a program called “Avid Pro Tools.” Click on it, select “change,” and then choose “uninstall.”

These steps can also be used for older versions of Windows, although the exact navigation may be different. In Windows 7, you want to go to Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a Program.

Step 3: Uninstall Avid Application Manager

If you want to uninstall Avid Application Manager, a program that is downloaded with Pro Tools First, you should do so now. As with Pro Tools First, click on the program and select “Change.” Click through the menus to complete the uninstall.

Step 4: Use the Command Prompt

In some cases, you may find it impossible to uninstall Pro Tools through you traditional programs menu. When this happens, you’ll need to open the command prompt instead.

You can find your command prompt by right clicking on the start menu. Type in “control appwiz.cpl.” Once you see the uninstall screen, select and uninstall Avid Pro Tools.

Step 5: Delete Associated Files

Even when you uninstall Pro Tools First, files and settings may be still be left on your computer. A clean uninstall is important if you want to install a new version of Pro Tools or simply want to free up space on your hard drive.

Look for and delete any files or folders titled “Avid” in the following locations:

  • C:\Program Files
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid
  • C:\users\*Username*\AppData\Roaming\Avid
  • C:\users\*Username*\AppData\Local
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

Step 6: Use a Registry Cleaner

If you want to make sure all traces of Pro Tools First are removed from your computer, consider using a registry cleaner. Programs like CCleaner or Wise Registry Cleaner will help you remove trace settings and files left over after Pro Tools is uninstalled.

Uninstall Pro Tools First on Mac OS X

Log in as an administrator on your Mac before you attempt this uninstall. Your normal account may already be an administrator account.

Step 1: Navigate to Pro Tools Utilities

Find your Applications folder. From there, go to Applications > Digidesign > Pro Tools > Pro Tools Utilities.

Step 2: Run the Uninstall File

You should see a file titled “Uninstall Pro Tools.” Double click it and follow the instructions to finish uninstalling the program.

Step 3: Choose Clean Uninstall

You will see two types of uninstall: Safe Uninstall and Clean Uninstall. The Safe Uninstall will leave behind plugin settings; unless you want this, choose Clean Uninstall every time.

Step 4: Trash Avid Files

Depending on the version of Pro Tools you installed, there may not be an uninstall file for you to use. Instead, you’ll just need to move all Pro Tools or Avid files to your trash bin.

These are the files and folders you need to delete:

  • Mac HD/Applications/Pro Tools
  • Mac HD/Library/Audio/MIDI Patch Names/Avid
  • Mac HD/Library/Application Support/Propellerhead Software/Rex
  • Mac HD/Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio
  • Mac HD/Users/home/Library/Preferences/Avid/Pro Tools

You may also want to manually scan your library to see if there are any other folders titled “Avid” and remove them.

Step 5: Delete Pro Tools from Your Launchpad

Check your launchpad for the Pro Tools First icon. If it hasn’t automatically been removed, delete it now. You may also want to remove icons from your desktop.

Step 6: Empty Your Trash Bin

Your uninstall won’t be complete until you have empties your trash bin and fully deleted the files. Double check your trash to see if there’s anything you want to back up before you empty it.

Even after an uninstall, Pro Tools usually leaves many settings and files behind. You may have to delete each of these files by hand or make use of a registry cleaner to get rid of all of them. If you don’t delete these files, they will be used the next time you install any version of Pro Tools, and they can cause problems in the long run.

That said, once you’ve uninstalled the program and deleted any related files, the process should be complete. From here you can uninstall a fresh version of Pro Tools or another DAW of your choice.

Comments(2)
  1. john don

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