A few Windows questions (from a long time Mac user...)

[leftalive]

Just switched over to a Custom PC workstation running PT 12.4 under Win 10 Pro, and I haven't used Windows in probably 17 years. A couple of quick questions (as the search function seems a little wonky today):

1 Does the Pro Tools 12 app itself store core plugins within the app the way it does on MacOS? On Mac I can right click on the PT app - show package contents - and delete the core plugins I don't use (like Maxim, BF76, etc) so that they don't load by default. Is there a similar method for Windows? I found the Factory Content folder, which contained IO Settings, Fade Presets, etc, but no core plugins.

2 I'm assuming I can safely uninstall the Avid HD Driver (x64) if I'm running a native rig, yeah?

3 And what is this 'Avid Effects' that shows up in my programs list? It has a plugin icon... don't know that I've ever seen this on Mac. Safe to delete, or no?

Thanks in advance, guys. It's been a while since I felt like a newb to this degree.

[The Weed]

I believe the stock plug-ins are in the Programs Folder.

[albee1952]

Indeed, things are a tad different.
Plugins are here; C:>Program files>common Files>Avid>Audio

Re the HD driver, I don't know but I would leave it as it does no harm(uses no system resources). The one important detail is this; If/when you uninstall Pro Tools(which is done from Control Panel>Remove a Program), there will be 3 options: Remove pro tools ONLY, remove Pro tools AND the HD Driver, Remove pro tools, HD driver, prefs and database. NEVER choose option 1(IOW, DO remove the HD driver whenever you uninstall for any reason)

as for #3, I'm not sure exactly what it refers to so I would leave it.

[take77]

Avid Effects are installed by the main installer along with the main app.
These are all your stock Avid effects plugin's like the BF76, etc.
It MIGHT include the system plugin's like HEAT, etc. (I'm not sure).
These do not include the the AIR effects or instruments which are installed via separate installers.

You can go to the Audio folder that albee1952 pointed to and there is a "Plug-ins (Unused)" folder.
Any plugins you do not wish to load may be moved to that folder.
This way you are not inadvertently uninstalling any plugins you might want to use like Channel Strip, etc.

The HD driver is required to be installed first before running the 12.7.1 installer (if the HD driver has been removed).
Otherwise, Windows installation of 12.7.1 will not complete.
Just for future ref!

[TOM@METRO]

If you're new to Windows, it's best to leave everything intact until you know you have a working system. Then, removing things one by one will let you know if you've gone to far.

[leftalive]

Originally Posted by TOM@METRO

If you're new to Windows, it's best to leave everything intact until you know you have a working system. Then, removing things one by one will let you know if you've gone to far.

That's basically what I'm doing, yeah. Been a fairly pleasant experience, thus far.

Thanks guys.

[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by leftalive

That's basically what I'm doing, yeah. Been a fairly pleasant experience, thus far.

Thanks guys.

Good to hear.