How to Install and Activate Waves V12

Mar 26, 2023

Learn how to install Waves V12 plugins, via an offline installer.

Important Notes:

  • V12 plugins can be activated by Waves Creative Access subscription licenses and by perpetual (non-subscription) V14-V12 licenses.
  • Products released after October 10, 2021 are not part of the V12 offline installer.
  • To see a list of the plugins available in the V12 installer, visit this page.
  • Sample libraries for Waves instruments must be installed manually.

This article covers different situations such as:

  • You have newer licenses, but need to install V12 software due to system requirements.
  • You have V12 licenses and wish to install V12.

Step #1 Activate your Licenses

  1. Download and install Waves Central for |
    If you already have Waves Central installed, skip to the next step.
  2. Launch Waves Central:
    On Windows: via the desktop shortcut or via Start Menu > All Programs > Waves Central.
    On Mac: Applications > Waves Central.
  3. Log into Waves Central.
  4. Select the Licenses page on the left bar.
  5. Select Not Activated at the top of the page.
  6. Choose the license/s you wish to activate. Selected licenses will appear in the list on the right.
  7. Choose the target device for the activated license/s.
  8. Click the Activate button.

Step #2: Install the V12 software

If you are installing bundles or single plugins:

  1. Quit any host application.
  2. Download the V12.7 Offline Installation Folder for or .
  3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
  4. Navigate to the Waves – 10.10.21 folder which you just extracted.
  5. In the folder, launch the file named “install.cen”.
  6. Browse to your Desktop > Waves – 10.10.21 and click Open.
  7. Waves Central will open on the Offline Installer page.
  8. Select the products you wish to install.
  9. Click Install.

If you are installing Waves Creative Access:

  1. Quit any host application.
  2. Download the V12 Waves Creative Access Offline Installation Folder for or .
  3. Unzip the folder to your desktop.
  4. Navigate to the Waves V12 Plugins folder which you just extracted.
  5. In the folder, launch the file named “install.cen”.
  6. Waves Central will open on the Offline Installer page.
  7. Select All Waves Plugins and StudioRack.
  8. Click Install.

Please note – Only plugins that are part of your Waves Creative Access subscription will show up in your DAW.

Your products are now ready to use.

If you need any further assistance, please contact Technical Support.