Cannot Create Soundtoys Version Root Folder At Soundtoys 5 Link May 2026
SoundToys’ installer writes several files in rapid succession. Some overzealous antivirus programs (including Windows Defender’s “Controlled Folder Access”) see this as suspicious ransomware-like behavior and block the folder creation.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
rmdir "C:\Program Files\Soundtoys\Soundtoys 5 Link"
If that fails, force deletion:
rmdir /s /q "C:\Program Files\Soundtoys\Soundtoys 5 Link"
This is the crucial part. By default, the installer often tries to place the "Soundtoys 5 Link" folder at the root of your Macintosh HD.
Instead, choose "Install for me only" or manually select your user home folder.
Ideally, you want to install the plugins to the standard macOS plugin directories:
However, if the system is blocking you from the main Library folder, try installing to your User Library:
Users > [Your Name] > Library > Audio > Plug-Ins
| Step | Action |
|------|--------|
| 1 | Run installer as Admin |
| 2 | Disable antivirus |
| 3 | Clean uninstall / delete leftover folders |
| 4 | Fix folder permissions (C:\Program Files\Soundtoys) |
| 5 | Delete symbolic link via command line |
| 6 | Clean registry |
| 7 | Clean boot Windows |
| 8 | Install to custom path |
| 9 | Run chkdsk |
| 10 | Contact Soundtoys |
This guide resolves >99% of “cannot create Soundtoys version root folder at Soundtoys 5 link” errors on Windows. For macOS, a similar path conflict may appear, but the error is primarily Windows-specific.
The error "cannot create soundtoys version root folder" typically indicates a permission or directory conflict where the Soundtoys installer or plugin cannot access the required system folders to establish its file structure. This often occurs when default paths are modified or restricted by administrative settings. Core Causes If that fails, force deletion: rmdir /s /q
Administrative Restrictions: The installer lacks the necessary permissions to write to public or shared document folders.
Symbolic Link/Hardlink Conflicts: If you have previously moved your plugin or preset folders using symbolic links (shortcuts) to a different drive, the installer may fail to resolve the path.
Incorrect Temp Folder Path: Setting the system's "Temp" folder to a drive other than the main system drive (C:) can cause the Soundtoys installation to fail during folder creation. Recommended Solutions
1. Reset the Windows Temp FolderIf you are on Windows and have moved your temporary files, reset the path to the default: C:\Users\[Your_Username]\AppData\Local\Temp. Many users report this immediately resolves folder creation errors during installation.
2. Verify and Repair Default PathsEnsure the following root folders exist or are not blocked:
Windows: C:\Users\Public\Public Documents\Soundtoys\Soundtoys 5. macOS: /Users/Shared/Soundtoys/Soundtoys 5.
If these folders are set as symbolic links to another drive, delete the link and let the installer create a standard folder first. 3. Run with Full Permissions Close your DAW completely before running any installers.
Right-click the Soundtoys installer and select "Run as Administrator".
Ensure the iLok License Manager is updated to the latest version, as licensing issues can sometimes trigger generic file access errors. This is the crucial part
4. Perform a Clean ReinstallIf the issue persists, manually delete existing Soundtoys folders and the preference files before reinstalling:
macOS: Remove the Soundtoys folder from /Library/Application Support/ and the "InstalledAAXPlugIns" file from ~/Library/Preferences/Avid/ProTools if using Pro Tools.
Windows: Delete any "Soundtoys" folders in C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 or C:\Program Files\VstPlugins.
For further assistance, you can consult the official Soundtoys Troubleshooting Guide or contact their support directly with your specific OS and DAW version. Soundtoys FAQ - Sweetwater
Topic: SOLVED: "Cannot create Soundtoys version root folder at Soundtoys 5 link" Error Fix
Posted by: AudioTech_Mike
Hey everyone,
I just ran into this frustrating error while trying to authorize and install Soundtoys 5 on my system. Every time I opened the Soundtoys Auth Manager or tried to scan plugins, I got the message:
"Cannot create Soundtoys version root folder at Soundtoys 5 link" If the error persists
It essentially halts the authorization process. After digging through support docs and experimenting for an hour, I figured out the issue. It is almost always a permission error or a broken alias (shortcut) left over from a previous installation.
Here is how I fixed it on macOS (though the logic applies to Windows too):
Use the SoundToys Cleanup Utility (available from SoundToys support) or manually:
If you are trying to install Soundtoys to a secondary drive (D: or E:), the symlink creation often fails due to the drive being formatted as exFAT or FAT32 (which don’t support symlinks) or due to drive mapping issues.
Workaround: Install Soundtoys to the default system drive (C:).
Corrupted disk sectors can prevent folder creation.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:
chkdsk C: /f
Say Y to schedule on reboot → restart → let it run.
This works about 40% of the time. Creating symbolic links requires elevated privileges on Windows.
If the error persists, move to Solution 2.