FAQs

Installation

Mac: When the download of 'ableton_live_XXX.dmg' is complete double click on that file and a mounted disk named 'Ableton Live XXX' will appear on your desktop. Double-click it again to open, and drag the contained folder named 'Live XXX OS X' into your hard disk. The recommended place to put it is in the Applications folder at the root of your Mac OS X drive. After this, you can drag the mounted disk and the dmg file to trash.

Windows: The downloaded zip-file contains a file: Setup.exe. Please double-click this file to install Live.


Please make sure you are using a current version of your Internet browser, and also try to clear your Internet browser cache, then try again.
If you bought the boxed version, the serial number will be on a sticker affixed to the CD or DVD case. If you purchased the downloadable version via our webshop, the serial number was sent with the order confirmation you received via e-mail.
Please download the update for your version as it is the latest full version.
You must install and authorize Live (Unlock) before registering. Please see our Unlock instructions here if you need more help.
You may lose the authorization. Please follow the installation procedure and authorize/unlock again.

If you do not change your computer's components or reformat your hard drive, you should not need to authorize/unlock Live again. If you are uninstalling Live, please save the Unlock.cfg file located in the following paths:

Windows (Live 4 and later versions): C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Application Data\Ableton\Live\Unlock

Note that on some Windows systems the application data folder is hidden by default. Here is how to make it visible:

Windows XP/2000

  1. Launch Explorer.
  2. Select Tools/Folder Options/View.
  3. Check "Show hidden files and folders."

Windows VISTA: c:/users/username/appdata/roaming/ableton/Live/Unlock

To make the appdata folder visible, a user has to do the following:

  1. Launch the Windows Explorer.
  2. Click on 'Organize' -> 'Folder and Search Options' -> 'View'.
  3. Check 'Show hidden files and folders'.

Mac OS X: /Users/Library/Application Support/Ableton/Live/Unlock

You should not need to authorize/unlock again if you have not changed your computer's components and you restore this file to the correct location after reinstalling Live.

You should not have any problems opening old Sets in new versions of Live after uninstalling any previous versions. Furthermore, each version of Live is an independent installation, so you can (but do not have to) remove older versions from your computer without affecting the current version.
  1. Go here to register the serial number that came with your Live Lite version. If you do not already have a user account at ableton.com you can create one at this page as well.
  2. Once you've registered your serial number, click here to go to the page that lists available upgrades for your registered products. Find the "Live Lite to Live Lite 6 Free Upgrade" and click "Add to Cart."
  3. Go to your cart and click on the "Get Free Product" Button. This will add a Live Lite 6 serial number to your account.
  4. Download and install the latest Live 6 update here.
  5. Use your new Live Lite 6 serial number (which is available from the Manage Account page and in your confirmation email) to unlock.
Please use the latest installer from our downloads page. If this does not help, please contact: support@ableton.com
Please download and run this application to fix the problem.

Please try trashing the Undo.cfg file and the Preferences.cfg file. You will find these files in the following paths:

Windows (Live 4 and higher): C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Application Data\Ableton\Live\Preferences

Note that on some Windows systems the application data folder is hidden by default. Here is how to make it visible:

Windows XP/2000:

  1. Launch Explorer.
  2. Select Tools/Folder Options/View.
  3. Check "Show hidden files and folders."

Windows Vista: c:/users/username/appdata/roaming/ableton/Live/Preferences

To make the appdata folder visible, a user has to do the following:

  1. Launch the Windows Explorer.
  2. Click on 'Organize' -> 'Folder and Search Options' -> 'View'.
  3. Check 'Show hidden files and folders'.

Mac OS X: /Users/Library/Preferences/Ableton/

Delete the Preferences.cfg file for the version you are trying to open, and re-open Live. You will find this file in the following paths:

Windows (Live 4 and higher): C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Application Data\Ableton\Live\Preferences

Note that on some Windows systems the application data folder is hidden by default. Here is how to make it visible:

Windows XP/2000:

  1. Launch Explorer.
  2. Select Tools/Folder Options/View.
  3. Check "Show hidden files and folders."

Windows Vista: c:/users/username/appdata/roaming/ableton/Live/Preferences

To make the appdata folder visible, a user has to do the following:

  1. Launch the Windows Explorer.
  2. Click on 'Organize' -> 'Folder and Search Options' -> 'View'.
  3. Check 'Show hidden files and folders'.

Mac OS X: /User/Library/Preferences/Ableton/

You should update the drivers for your audio device. If this does not help, please delete the Live Preferences.cfg file and try again. You will find this file in the following paths:

  • Windows (Live 3): (Installation Directory)\Ableton\Preferences
  • Windows (Live 4 and later versions): C:\Documents and Settings\your user name\Application Data\Ableton\Live\Preferences
  • Mac OS 9: /System/Preferences/Ableton
  • Mac OS X: /User/Library/Preferences/Ableton

Note that on some Windows systems the application data folder is hidden by default. Here is how to make it visible:

Windows XP/2000

  1. Launch Explorer.
  2. Select Tools/Folder Options/View.
  3. Check "Show hidden files and folders."