Moving NI libraries to external HD

GH Brodbeck
GH Brodbeck Member Posts: 3 Newcomer
in Tech Talks

Hi,

I've owned NI libraries for years but 2 weeks ago, after upgrading my old iMac to a new Mac Mini M4 (512GB RAM & 1TB Storage), purchased Komplete 15 Standard.

I started downloading some of the libraries but I'm always confused why it is not possible to choose to load them to my 8TB external drive (APFS Volume). Somehow I already have old NI libraries there (see attached 1). I'm hoping to avoid overloading the Mini storage. What is the smart way to handle further K15 downloads? Should (or can) I move any of the remaining 90 items in Native Access, and the ones I already downloaded (attached 2 dated Jun 25) to the external drive and if yes, how do I do it safely?

There is obviously a difference between the folders called xyz-libraries (attach 1) and the ones on the Mac HD. While I'm ok when it comes to the musical side of things the file tech and how to handle it creates headaches. Don't want for Finale/Dorico or Logic Pro to spit the dummy. Thanks for any advice!

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Answers

  • GH Brodbeck
    GH Brodbeck Member Posts: 3 Newcomer

    Sorry, forgot attachments:

    1 - NI on external drive.png
    2 - NI on Mac HD.png
  • mykejb
    mykejb Moderator Posts: 2,592 mod

    The Content location is set in the File Management section of Preferences in Native Access. Set that to point to a folder on your external drive and all the library content (ie the huge stuff) will be installed there. It's recommended to leave the Application location in the default location. The Download location is only temporary so you can leave it on your internal drive or point it at the external drive. I leave it on the internal drive here.

    You can move the products you already have installed to your external drive just by moving the folders. Once you've done that start Native Access, click the Support button then "Repair Installed Products". That'll let you change the path for the products you've moved.

  • GH Brodbeck
    GH Brodbeck Member Posts: 3 Newcomer

    Thank you for your explanation, it's starting to make sense.

    My Library Content in Native Access was set to Shared. Of all the products in Komplete 15 I've downloaded so far only Scarbee MM-Bass Library seemed to have finished up on my external drive, dated 13 Jun 2025. The other products are on my Mac HD > Shared, including some older items. When you say that I can move the folders, do you mean just the folders with the word "library" in them? Just double checking on this to make sure I don't move any wrong ones. It will make a big difference to my internal drive space.

  • mykejb
    mykejb Moderator Posts: 2,592 mod

    Yep, that's correct, just things that end in Library. I'd suggest doing a few first so you understand the process before moving all the libraries. I have a similar system with 1Tb internal storage and I dropped a 4Tb M.2 into a TB4 enclosure as an external drive for libraries etc. TBH I don't really notice the difference between the external and internal drive speeds in regular use.

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