Installing Cakewalk

Please note before installing:

In order to install Cakewalk, you must log in to your Windows system as a user who has administrative privileges. Once installed, the program can also be used by users who do not have administrative privileges.

If system monitoring software, such as anti-virus programs are installed on your computer, you must close them until you have finished installing Cakewalk. You must also remember to close applications that are not shown in the Windows taskbar.

To download the Cakewalk installer, go to www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk and click Download.

You can install Cakewalk by BandLab directly via the Cakewalk web installer, or via the BandLab Assistant client for desktop.

Click Cakewalk Installer if you only want to install the core Cakewalk program.

Click BandLab Assistant if you wish to do offline authorization for Cakewalk, or you want access to BandLab loops.

 

Note: After Cakewalk is installed, all subsequent updates can be done directly from within the application via Help > Check for Updates. Notifications for available updates are also automatically shown by default.

To install Cakewalk

1.	Start your computer.

2.	Close any programs that are open or running.

3.	Do one of the following:

If you are installing from the Cakewalk web installer: Locate the file CakewalkSetup.exe that was saved to your computer's hard drive and double-click on it to begin the installation.

If you are installing from BandLab Assistant: Follow the instructions under BandLab Assistant. BandLab Assistant provides the easiest way to download and install Cakewalk.

If you are installing from a digital download: Locate the file Cakewalk_by_BandLab_Setup.exe that was saved to your computer's hard drive and double-click on it to begin the installation.

4.	Click the Install button.

 

Note: If you exit Setup without completing the installation, repeat step 3 to restart the installation process.

5.	Follow the installation instructions on the screen.

BandLab Assistant

BandLab Assistant is an application that lets you access both BandLab and Cakewalk content. Use the Apps tab to install, update, and open Cakewalk and related content like demo projects and instrument packs. Use the Sounds tab to drag over 40,000 free loops into your projects.

1.	Download BandLab Assistant from www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk, then install it on your computer.

2.	Double-click the BandLab Assistant shortcut on your desktop to start BandLab Assistant.

3.	Type your BandLab account user name and password, then click Log In. If you do not yet have an account, click Sign Up.

Note: If you previously had a Cakewalk account, sign up for a free BandLab account with the same email address you used with your Cakewalk account. This ensures that BandLab can verify any previous purchases, and any future upgrade or cross grade opportunities will be available to you.

4.	Click the Apps tab to show available applications. Under Cakewalk by BandLab, click Install. BandLab Assistant will download and install Cakewalk.

5.	When installation is complete, click Open to open Cakewalk.

Uninstalling Cakewalk

There are several different ways to uninstall Cakewalk.

Uninstall from the Start menu:

1.	Click the Windows Start button and navigate to the Cakewalk folder.

2.	Right-click Cakewalk by BandLab, then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from the Settings page:

1.	Select Start , then select Settings  > Apps > Apps & features.

2.	Select Cakewalk by BandLab, then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from the Control Panel:

1.	In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel and select it from the results.

2.	Select Programs > Programs and Features.

3.	Right-click Cakewalk by BandLab, then select Uninstall.

Uninstall from BandLab Assistant:

1.	Double-click the BandLab Assistant shortcut on your desktop to start BandLab Assistant.

2.	Click the Apps tab.

3.	Under Cakewalk by BandLab, click the drop-down arrow next to the Open button, then click Uninstall.

Activating Cakewalk

Activation is the process by which Cakewalk validates that your software is genuine and being used in accordance with the license agreement. Cakewalk can be activated by an online or offline process.

Saving and exporting are disabled until Cakewalk is activated.

A toast notification appears at the bottom of the screen to inform you if Cakewalk has not been activated yet. If your computer is connected to the internet, go to Help > Refresh Activation.

In order to automatically keep your activation status up to date, Cakewalk will renew your activation status whenever a new version of the application is installed and run for the first time, and when you sign in to BandLab from within Cakewalk. If you have never signed in to BandLab from within Cakewalk, you will be prompted once to sign in.

You will see a “Cakewalk activation has been refreshed” message on starting the application for the first time. If you were not signed in to BandLab, you will be prompted to sign in, after which it will auto renew the activation status. Note that you must have an active internet connection for the automatic renewal process to work.

As long as you stay logged in to BandLab within Cakewalk, and use Cakewalk occasionally, it will automatically stay activated with no further user intervention required.

Offline activation

If Cakewalk is installed on a computer that is not connected to the internet, you can use offline activation as long as you have access to another computer that is connected to the internet. To use offline activation, follow these steps:

1.	In Cakewalk, go to Help > Offline Activation > Export Activation Request to open the Save activation request dialog box.

2.	Select the folder you want to save the activation request file to, then click Save.

Cakewalk saves a Activation request.crq file. This file is encrypted and machine-specific, and can only be used to activate Cakewalk on the machine that was originally used to create the Activation request.crq file.

By default, Cakewalk appends a timestamp to the file name, using the following format: <Month><Day><Year>_<Hour><Minute>. For example: 032820_1157Activation request.crq.

3.	Copy the Activation request.crq file to removable media, such as a USB flash drive, that you can transfer to another computer that is connected to the internet.

4.	Using an online computer, open BandLab Assistant and sign in with your BandLab ID and password.

5.	Click the Apps tab.

6.	Under Cakewalk by BandLab, click the drop-down arrow next to the Open button, then click Process Offline Activation Request.

If activation is granted, BandLab Assistant generates a Activation response.dat file.

7.	Copy the Activation response.dat file to removable media that you can transfer back to your offline Cakewalk computer.

8.	In Cakewalk, go to Help > Offline Activation > Import Activation Response to open the Import activation response dialog box.

9.	Select the Activation response.dat file and click Open.

If the response file is valid, Cakewalk is activated.