How to Run Waves Plugins on Windows 7 / 8.1

Last updated on: 1/5/2023 4:58:53 AM

As of January 2020, Microsoft no longer provides support or updates for Windows 7. As of October 2021, Waves Central can no longer install plugins or activate licenses on Windows 7 / 8.1 machines. If you are still running Windows 7 / 8.1, you can follow the steps below to install V9 or V10 plugins using a legacy version of Waves Central.

Step #1 - Activate licenses to a USB Flash Drive, using a separate system with a supported operating system:

1. Download and install and run latest Waves Central on a supported system (Win 10 and above or Mac OS 10.13 and above)
2. Activate the licenses on a USB flash Drive (do not install the plugins)

Step #2 - Install V9 or V10 on the Windows 7 / 8.1 machine

Windows 7 / 8.1 can run Waves plugins V9 or V10. (To install V9, follow the instructions listed here).

To install as V10, follow these steps

1. On the Windows 7 /8.1 computer, Uninstall Waves Central.
2. Download the V10 Offline Installation Folder for Windows.
3. Once done, disconnect your computer from the internet.
4. Extract the downloaded zip file and run Install_Waves_Central.exe (It will auto-launch at the end of the installation).
5. Since no internet is present, the auto-update will not occur. When prompted to log in or ‘Continue Offline’, click ‘Continue Offline’.
6. Click on ‘Offline Installer’> Browse >select Waves V10 - 5.3.20 folder (which you just extracted).
7. Select the products you wish to install and click on Install.
8. Once done, connect your USB flash drive from Step #1 to this computer to activate the plugins.>

Please note: If you launch Waves Central when online, it will auto-update to the latest version which is not supported on Windows 7 / Windows 8.1. Please make sure to only run Waves Central when you’re offline.

None of the above worked? Contact Technical Support.