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.

I am trying to download Live from your website, but I am unable to do so. Why is it not working?

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.

I'm trying to locate my Live serial number. Where should it be?

If you bought the boxed version, the serial number will be on a sticker affixed to the CD cover. If you purchased the downloadable version via our webshop, the serial number was sent with the order confirmation you received via e-mail. Please be sure to register your serial number on our registration page here.

I just bought the Live downloadable version, but on the download page I only see the Demo and Updates. What do I download?

Please download the update for your version as it is the latest full version.

I am trying to register my serial number on your registration page and I keep getting an error saying: "You must Unlock your software." What does this mean?

You must install and authorize Live (Unlock) before registering. Please see our Unlock instructions here if you need more help.

Can I install Live on an external hard drive?

You must install Live on your internal hard disk for the Live authorization to work.

I am having problems with my computer and may do a clean installation of my OS. Will I lose my Live authorization? If so, what would the procedure be to reauthorize Live?

You may lose the authorization. Please follow the installation procedure and Unlock again.

If I delete Live and reinstall, will I need to Unlock again?

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

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

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

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

I have a previous version of Live (i.e., Live 5.x, Live 6.x, etc.) on my computer. I'd like to know if it's okay to uninstall old Live versions after I buy the newest version. I'm worried that uninstalling previous versions of Live will cause errors in my Sets or somehow affect the new version.

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.

A copy of Live Lite 6 came with some hardware that I purchased, but the serial number is for a different version. How can I install it?

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.
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."
Go to your cart and click on the "Get Free Product" Button. This will add a Live Lite 6 serial number to your account.
Download and install the latest Live 6 update here.
Use your new Live Lite 6 serial number (which is available from the Manage Account page and in your confirmation email) to unlock.

Where do I find the hash key (#) on my Mac computer keyboard?

On some Macs, you will find the hash key (#) under caps lock and alt and 3 together.

I can't get Live to start in Mac OS X. Every time I double-click on the application icon, it starts to boot and then fails.

Please use the latest installer from our downloads page. If this does not help, please contact: customercare@ableton.com

When trying to launch Live 3 or later versions in Mac OS X, I get this message: "Live could not access the folder Application Support in the Library folder of your home folder. Most likely this is because of a permission problem. Please try to allow write access to that folder for the current use. If you don't know how to do this you can get instructions in the FAQ section at www.ableton.com."

Please download and run this application to fix the problem.

I keep getting the message that "Live cannot access the undo history file and is switching to a memory based undo" each time I open Live. What can I do to fix this?

Please try trashing the Undo.cfg file and the Preferences.cfg file. You will find these files 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

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

When I try to open Live, I get the following error message: "error reading C:\ProgramFiles\Ableton\Live\Preferences\Preferences.cfg."

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 3): (Installation Directory)\Ableton\Preferences
Windows (Live 4 and laster 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

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

I cannot open Live; it keeps giving me a message saying that the last time it closed incorrectly due to a corrupt audio driver. It asks me to change my audio preferences, but the program won't even open. How do I fix this?

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

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

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