How to reinstall VST2 version of Komplete Kontrol

I mainly use the Audio Units plugins these days, but back when I started making music, I used to use VST2's. One day I decided "Hey, I don't use these anyway, I should just delete them." and deleted all of the VST2 versions of my plugins. I did not stop to think that all of my instruments in my old Ableton Live projects would be gone. So now I'm missing years worth of my old work because I made a half-baked decision and I desperately would like to be able to listen to and possibly rework my old sessions.

I'm trying to figure out a way to get the VST2's back, but am having no luck. I saw on a previous thread on here that someone recommended to download Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 and rescan plugins in Ableton, but that did not work. Is there any other way I might be able to get the VST2's back? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

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Accepted answers

adiaz56

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257739#Comment_257739

This did it! I assumed that just rescanning would do the trick because it would scan the default location. When I switched the VST2 custom folder to rescan (Macintosh HD > Library > Audio > Plug-ins > VST for anyone who may find this useful in the future.), I got my plugins back. Thank you so much, everyone!! I can't express how much this means to me. You guys are heroes!

All comments

JesterMgee

So I think if you used the AU plugin in Live BUT used VST2 plugins in KK you can use KK V3 however you will need to run Ableton in Rosetta compatibility mode as VST2 will not appear in hosts as an option under native mode.

KK V3 does not offer a VST2 version of the KK plugin so if you were using KK as a VST2 plugin within Live then you would need to install KK V2 to get that back.

Once you have your VST2 plugins appearing and loading you then need to manually switch out the VST2 for VST3 versions within KK which should then allow the VST3 version to load.

A small number of plugins may migrate automatically from the VST2 instance to VST3 but this seems very rare and often needs the actual plugin to be switched out so will take some time to update.

PoorFellow

Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 - Last VST2 supported version

How to Keep Komplete Kontrol 2.9 and Komplete Kontrol 3 on Your System –Native Instruments

If you run into trouble getting things to work again with old KK and KK VST2 version (and have to go through that ordeal) then I have saved these links that I am sharing here :

Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 can't find the Vst Plugin

How to recover my KK presets after recent KOMPLETE upgrade ?

Jeremy_NI

I saw on a previous thread on here that someone recommended to download Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6 and rescan plugins in Ableton, but that did not work.

@adiaz56 Can you tell us what happened then, which VST2 installation path did you choose in Native Access?

adiaz56

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257698#Comment_257698

When I run the installer for Komplete Kontrol 2.9.6, it does not give me the option to install the VST2 version.

Screen Shot 2026-03-03 at 11.25.23 AM.png

PoorFellow

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257724#Comment_257724

it does not give me the option to install the VST2 version.

The VST (upgrade 88MB) greyed out most likely is the VST2 - often VST2 does not actually say VST2 just VST

adiaz56

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257727#Comment_257727

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case after reinstalling 2.9.6 and rescanning in Ableton.

Screen Shot 2026-03-03 at 12.50.08 PM.png

Vocalpoint

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257736#Comment_257736

You need to make sure that Ableton is actually scanning for plugins in the exact folder where you installed the VST2.

It will most likely not find this location by default since VST2 has been retired for several years.

adiaz56

https://community.native-instruments.com/discussion/comment/257739#Comment_257739

adiaz56

Sorry to be a pain in the butt, but I have one last question for anyone who may be able to help; How do I go about getting the Massive VST2 back? I've gotten the KK problem solved, but my Massive VST2's are still gone.