FILES
This section is to help users who need to work directly with the installation files. If you are looking to access folder locations shown in the Browser (and set in File Settings), you can Right-Click Folders in the Browser and choose 'Open'. The operating system browser will open to this folder. To access other files when updating a plugin or component for testing or when working with Techsupport:
Windows
A 'clean installation' requires a specific set of steps that should be completed in the following order:
Manual Uninstall / Clean Install
- Make sure you have backed up all your personal projects and files! The best way to avoid issues is to make sure everything that is yours is OUTSIDE the FL Studio folders.
NOTE: From FL Studio 20 onward, your project files are, by default, in - '...\Users\[your computer account]\Documents\Image-Line\'. This location is set by the User data folder. If so, deleting the folders below won't delete your personal data.
- Perform a Reset settings.
- Restart your computer and do not open FL Studio until you have completed the remaining items on this list. This will make sure no files are locked and in use.
- Right-Click the FL Studio desktop icon and choose 'Open file location'. Note the folder you are in, 'FL Studio N'. N = Version you are using and then go back up one level. The default installation location is 'C:\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio N'. This includes the 32 and 64 Bit versions. NOTE: If you have installed an older version of FL Studio, your default install location may be under C:\Program Files (x86)\Image-Line\FL Studio N. While the location is not particularly important it's a good idea to move any new installation to C:\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio. The remainder of this section will assume this is the case.
- Delete the FL Studio installation folder 'FL Studio N'.
- Delete the 'Shared' folder, if you are using a version older than FL Studio 20.9. From 20.9 onward, the 'Shared' folder is in the main installation folder and will be deleted in the previous step.
- If you want to completely remove all licenses and FL Studio settings, follow these instructions.
- If you want to reinstall the latest version of FL Studio, you can do so now. download it here.
- If you are reinstalling FL Studio, don't forget to:
- Set Browser extra search folders.
- Rescan plugins (although, your previous plugin database should still be intact in the User data folder/FL Studio/Presets/Plugin database).
- Reapply your license by logging into your account from the About Panel.
TRIAL USERS: Note that Diagnostic tool is not available in the FL Studio trial. If you are experiencing issues during trial use, please uninstall FL Studio and check the "Remove settings" option in the uninstall window. Then reinstall the latest version. You can also reset settings during installation by checking "Clear" under "Settings". To get access to the Diagnostic tool, you will need tocommit to a license purchase.
Multiple Installations
- Right-click the existing FL Studio installation icon and choose 'Open file location'.
- Use your file browser to go back up a level so that you can see the installation folder. Normally C:\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio N, where N is the FL Studio version.
- Create a new folder at the same level (not in the 'FL Studio N' but alongside it. Call it 'FL Studio Test' or whatever you like.
- Run the FL Studio installer, and when it offers the install location, set it to your folder: C:\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio Test
- There will be a new icon on the desktop for this installation. If you need to manually create a shortcut/s, Right-click the 'FL64.exe' and choose 'Create shortcut' and then drag that shortcut to your desktop.
NOTE: The last installation of FL Studio normally becomes the default install to open project files. You can change this by opening the installation you want to use as the default, then on the General Settings select 'Associate project files with application'.
macOS
Video tutorial here.
- From the macOS Finder browse to [Macintosh HD]/Applications/FL Studio.app
- Right-Click FL Studio.app and choose 'Show Package Contents'
- Navigate to /Contents/Resources/FL. This will place you in the root of the FL Studio installation folder.
From here you can locate the relevant FL Studio installation files discussed elsewhere in this manual.
Manual Uninstall / Clean Install
NOTE: If your Mac is running an unsupported version of macOS, we STRONGLY RECOMMEND you update your OS first. Check the system requirements from the download FL Studio page to find out the oldest supported version. If your macOS is not supported, this does not mean it won't necessarily work, but FL Studio is no longer being developed to maintain compatibility with it. However, it's usually a good idea to avoid using the very latest major release of macOS update for music production. If you encounter any issues with the latest macOS version please visit the FL Studio macOS Technical Support Forum
- Restart your computer and do not open FL Studio until you have completed this list. This will make sure no files are locked and in use.
- Make sure you have backed up all your personal projects and files! The best way to avoid issues is to make sure everything that is yours is OUTSIDE the FL Studio folders.
NOTE: Your project files are, by default, in - '[Macintosh HD]/Users/[user account]/Documents/Image-Line/FL Studio'. This location is set by the User data folder. If this is the case, deleting the folders below won't delete any personal data.
- Show hidden folders if you have not already done this. Use (Cmd + Shift + .) to show hidden folders at 5 & 6 below.
- Delete FL Studio application. Drag and drop the FL Studio icon to the Trash. IMPORTANT NOTE: Any personal files (projects, samples, etc.) left in the Package Contents folder under - Finder > Applications > FL Studio.app > Content, will be deleted! Take a moment to reevaluate your life choices, as this is not the place for personal data so move your files outside of the FL Studio.app folder before removing FL Studio, if you put anything there you want to keep.
- If you are using a version of FL Studio before 20.9, delete the '[Macintosh HD]/Library/Application Support/Image-Line/Shared' folder. From FL Studio 20.9 onward, the 'Shared' folder is in the main installation folder and will be deleted in the previous step.
- Delete the '[Macintosh HD]/Users/[user account]/Library/Preferences/Image-Line' folder.
- If you want to completely remove all licenses and FL Studio settings, follow these instructions.
- If you want to reinstall the latest version of FL Studio, you can do so now. Download it here.
- If you are reinstalling FL Studio, don't forget to:
- Set Browser extra search folders.
- Rescan plugins (although, your previous plugin database should still be intact in the User data folder/FL Studio/Presets/Plugin database).
- Reapply your license by logging into your account from the About Panel.
Multiple Installations
To avoid installing a Beta, or any new version, over an existing installation, you can rename the existing FL Studio application prior to installation of the beta or new release.
- Close FL Studio.
- Open Finder and select the 'Applications' folder in the Sidebar.
- Locate and right-click the 'FL Studio N' application. Where N is the version number.
- Select 'Rename'.
- Rename the application to something other than 'FL Studio N', such as 'FL Studio N Stable'.
- Install the beta, or new release, as normal. It will become the default FL Studio installation.
- To maintain quick access to the various installations, make Alias shortcuts.
- Open Finder and select the 'Applications' folder in the Sidebar.
- Right-click the application you would like to create a shortcut for and select 'Make alias'.
- Relocate the alias to your Desktop. Alternatively, you can drag the application from the Applications directory to your Dock to create a shortcut.
