Manually uninstall Pro Tools files on a Windows PC.
Follow these instructions to completely remove all Pro Tools files from your PC. Keep in mind that this is NOT equivalent to uninstalling Pro Tools, but will render Pro Tool scompletely useless on your PC. This is a technique that can be used if:
* Pro Tools will not uninstall completely;
* A newer version of Pro Tools will not install after uninstalling an older version; or,
* another installation/uninstallation error comes up.
Here are the steps to “surgically” remove Pro Tools from a PC:
1. Go to C: > Program Files and delete the Digidesign folder.
2. Go to C: program Files > Common Files, and delete the Digidesign folder.*
3. Go to C: > Documents and Settings > (your user name) > Application Data,** and delete the Digidesign folder.
4. Go to C: > WINDOWS > system32. In the View menu, select “Choose details…” In the list, select “Company” and press “OK.” Go back to the View menu, and make sure “Tiles” is selected. Go back to the View menu and select “Company” in the “arrange icons by” subwindow.
5. In the second line of the tile description, you will see the name of the company for each icon. Find the ones that say “Digidesign,” and delete them. Do NOT delete andything from “Digi International.”
6. Go to C: > WINDOWS > system32 > drivers, and locate and delete “dalwdm.sys” and “digifilter.sys.”
7. On the root level of every hard drive, delete the “Digidesign Databases” folder.
* NOTE: Inside of this folder, there is another folder that contains all plugin files. if you do not want to reinstall your 3-rd party plugins (Autotune, Waves, etc.), then cut all associate .dpm and .dpm.rsr files frm the C: > program Files > Common Files > Digidesign > DAE > plugins folder, and paste them in another folder where you can recopy them back at another time.
** If the Application Data folder is not there, go to: Tools (in the menus at the top) > Folder Options > View, and select “Show Hidden Files and Folders.”
When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!
Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.
Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.