How to install the Pro Tools software
This article includes a visual step-by-step installation help for the installation of the Pro Tools software.
System Requirements and Compatibility
An Internet connection is required to install and authorize Pro Tools software (to download the
Pro Tools installer and Pro Tools license).
The following are required to run Pro Tools software:
• A qualified Windows or Mac computer
• A qualified audio interface (or built-in audio capability)
Avid can only assure compatibility and provide support for hardware and software it has tested and approved. For complete system requirements and a list of qualified computers, operating systems, hard drives, and third-party devices, visit www.avid.com/compatibility.
About iLok and iLok Cloud
Pro Tools software can be authorized using an iLok USB key (2nd generation or later) from PACE Anti-Piracy, or with the iLok Cloud feature of the iLok License Manager. An iLok can hold hundreds of authorizations for all of your iLok-enabled software. After a software license has been placed on an iLok, you can use the iLok to authorize that software on any computer. iLok Cloud works very similarly to a physical iLok, but it requires a constant internet connection to validate the licensing.
Note that the Pro Tools First license can be placed on an iLok or your computer directly, but is not compatible with iLok Cloud.
Installation Overview
Installation of Pro Tools includes the following steps:
Creating Your Avid Master Account
Retrieving Your Pro Tools | Software License
Removing Previous Versions of Pro Tools | software
Installing Hardware Drivers
Installing Pro Tools | software
Starting Up or Shutting Down Your System
Launching and Authorizing Pro Tools | software
Configuring your system for improved performance
Creating Your Avid Master Account
An Avid account is required to activate Pro Tools software, and, if you purchased a download version of Pro Tools, to download your software.
If you don't have an Avid account, visit www.avid.com/myavid to create your account.
Retrieving Your Pro Tools Software License
When you purchase a boxed version of Pro Tools, you receive an activation code, either on an activation card or through your Avid account. If you bought Pro Tools from the Avid Store, you will receive your license online and skip the following procedure.
To retrieve your Pro Tools software license:
If you don’t already have an iLok account, visit www.ilok.com to sign up for an account
You will need to install the free iLok License Manager on each computer, and you can download it from the iLok Website.
The iLok License Manager requires one of the following operating systems:
For Mac: Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion) or above For Windows: 32-bit or 64-bit: Windows 7 or above.
2. Visit https://my.avid.com/products/redemption and log into your Avid account (if you don't already have an Avid account, click "Create Your Account")
3. Enter your activation code and your iLok.com User ID
4. To deposit your license into your iLok.com account, follow these instructions:
Sign Into Your iLok Account
Run the iLok License Manager software, and the basic window like this will open like this one.
Enter your User ID and Password, and you will be able to manage from iLok licenses and iLoks using the iLok License Manager software.
Move licenses from my iLok account onto one of my iLoks
Drag & Drop Method
This is the fastest and most common way to activate a license.
Select the license you want to activate in your iLok account in the cloud.
Drag it to a new location, either an iLok or a machine (if allowed), in the left-hand column
Confirm the move in the pop-up window.
Activate From The Detail Panel
To use the buttons, you will need to select the license you want to activate from the list of licenses on one of your iLoks.
Click the Activate button in the upper right-hand corner and select a location in the pop-up window; this will be one of your iLoks.
Click "Activate" to finish.
When activating a license to an iLok, the iLok must be plugged into your computer for the operation to be successful.
Installing Hardware Drivers
Before installing Pro Tools software, install the latest drivers for your hardware. Refer to the documentation that came with your audio hardware for more information. For Avid audio interfaces, download and install the drivers for your Avid hardware from www.avid.com/drivers.
Pro Tools may not recognize your audio interface if you do not install the drivers. If you are upgrading Pro Tools, be sure to install the latest drivers for your hardware.
Installing Pro Tools on Mac
Download the Pro Tools Installer from your online Avid account
Open the Pro Tools disk image.
Double-click Install Pro Tools.pkg
Follow the on-screen instructions to continue the installation.
Installing Pro Tools on Windows
Make sure you are logged in as an Administrator for the account where you want to install Pro Tools.
Download the Pro Tools Installer from your online Avid account
Do one of the following:
If Windows AutoRun is enabled, a mini-browser appears. Select Install Pro Tools to begin the installation.
If Windows AutoRun is disabled, locate and double-click Setup.exe, and then select Install Pro Tools to begin the installation
NOTE: On Windows, if the User Account Control dialog appears, click Allow. Several messages are displayed during installation that can be ignored, including multiple "Found New Hardware" dialogs and "A Problem Occurred During Hardware Installation." If you get a warning dialog about the driver not passing Windows Logo testing, click Continue Anyway.
Follow the on-screen instructions to continue the installation
When the Install Wizard is done, click Finish.
Note: Windows users who do not have a dedicated audio interface should also consider installing and configuring ASIO4ALL from http://www.asio4all.org/ (without which Pro Tools will not be able to play audio through the built-in speakers of a Windows computer)
*Although this guide suggests that you can use ASIO4ALL with Pro Tools, ASIO4ALL is not officially supported or qualified by Avid for use with Pro Tools. We have found this configuration to work best for customers, but it has not gone through Avid's qualification processes. For a list of officially supported audio interfaces, refer to the Pro Tools system requirements pages.
Avid Link
When you install Pro Tools, the Avid Link application is also installed. The Avid Link application is used to manage your software and entitlements related to your MyAvid account. The Avid Link application helps you maintain the most current Pro Tools software and audio plug-in updates that you are entitled to when new versions become available. See the Avid Link page for more information.
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