Hello,

I'm having some trouble activating the V.R patch on one of my two (windows 11) laptops
On one laptop the process works correctly, the license is recognized, and I can restart central and the laptop without any issues
On the other, unfortunately more important laptop, after I close and reopen central it requests administrator via UAC, and if given, the patch will stop working
If I don't give it administrator, I can't interact with central
From the diagnose report inside central, I notice on the laptop that IS working, it says
"Failed: device comp has multiple device ids: <network MAC>, <patcher MAC>
On the laptop that IS NOT working, it shows only the network MAC, and not the patch's MAC
I've uninstalled and reinstalled central many times now with revo uninstaller, and manually deleted program files, appdata, etc
The laptop that does not work DOES show the license file generated by the patcher, so it is doing something, but for some reason central seems to be deleting/removing the patched MAC when restarted only on this laptop...
If anyone has any ideas or can help, I'd appreciate it greatly
If this isn't the appropriate place to look for support, I apologize, I'm new here :D
--
To word it differently
On the not working laptop
I install central
Login
Install a plugin (just one to test, using Primary Source Expander)
Exit Central
Run the patch (2025.3, it says finished when done)
Plugins are now working normally
When I reopen Central (without plugins open)
It asks for UAC on startup
After starting, plugins are no longer working
When I reopen Central (with plugins open)
It asks for UAC on startup
It says Please close the following applications: Reaper (with plugins open)
Only option is close reaper or "Cancel". If I cancel, new popup with "Waves License Engine installation failed" and only option is to restart waves, can't use program
--
I guess it would be possible to always run patch after opening central, but not ideal, and it is working better on other laptop so hoping I can get the same on this laptop
Thanks all!

 

Which version - please provide the full name of Waves?
(Example: Waves Ultimate 16 v25.11.28 Incl V.R Patch WiN)

Windows - which version?
________________________________________________
1. Delete Waves completely:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Waves
C:\Users\Public\Waves Audio
C:\ProgramData\Waves Audio

(Hidden Folder)
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Waves Audio
C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local\Waves Audio

C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
WaveShell1-VST3 15.0_x64.vst3
WaveShell1-VST3 15.2_x64.vst3
WaveShell2-VST3 15.0_x64.vst3

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\WPAPI

Scan your hard drive with the term: WaveShell and delete them.

Go to the Registry --> Run --> Regedit and delete the following folder:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Waves

2. Restart the PC, Deactivate Defender, Download and Install this one:
Next Posting

 

Last edited: Dec 3, 2025

Waves Ultimate 16 v25.11.28 Incl V.R Patch WiN

0. Check System Requirments here : www.waves.com/support/tech-specs/system-requirements#plugins|version-14

1. Go to 1- Installer folder and Install Waves Central and Run.

2.Uninstall previous versions and run Fix Permissions from Waves Central Settings and Login to Waves (If you want Studio Verse). (Backup Presets and other data if needed)

3. Select Offline Installer and Click Install from an Offline Installer
4. Browse the Waves folder you downloaded (Inside : 1 - Installer)
5. Select Waves Ultimate or any other plugins and applications and select Install (Uncheck SD/HD)
6. Run V.R Patch
7. Reboot
8. Load StudioRack and login to Waves to use Studio Verse.
9 Done.

Credits to Team V.R patch
NOTE : Offline installation follows the Official Waves method.
Check https://www.waves.com/support for help if installation failed.

Sample Libraries for Waves Instruments
www.waves.com/downloads/sample-libraries

 

Last edited: Dec 3, 2025

Hey, thank you for your time

This is the patch I am using (edited)
Waves Ultimate 16 v25.11.28 Incl V.R Patch WiN

Both the working and not working laptops are running Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.7171

I uninstalled waves with the uninstaller, as well as the file paths and registry paths you listed, and scanned for waveshell with wiztree, all removed

Rebooted, disabled Real-Time protection from win defender (I hope just the real-time option is enough, I'm not certain)

It doesn't look like your post has a link after Install this one:
But I'll use the waves installer from Waves official

I install central without issue, ran fix permissions, and login to waves. I am not using Studio Verse
The patch says you can use offline installer or install from central, so I've been installing from central using internet

I install primary source expander (just to test) from the install products tab
It completes normally
(Keeping waves central application open)

I run Waves Ultimate 2025.3 patch.exe
It finishes without error

Plugins are now working

I close and reopen waves central
While starting, it asks to make changes to device
If I say no, it come with error saying "Waves License Engine installation failed", with only option to close central
If I say yes, it starts normally, but patch stops working, plugins only in demo mode. And I am now signed out of waves account
And V.R. license not showing under Local Disk C tab

---

I know I can do process successfully on one laptop, but on second (new replacement) laptop, same process not working...
On older laptop, waves central not "fixing" patch on startup, but on new laptop, it "removes" patch. Both connected to internet, both same version of waves central, both same patch, etc. Should be same for both, but only older laptop working...

EDIT: I will try again now, uninstall, reinstall, but using offline installer instead of online. On working laptop it works with online, but will try offline to see

EDIT 2: Same result with offline installer and not logging into waves central w/ account
Whenever I relaunch waves central it seems to break the patch

 

Last edited: Dec 4, 2025

@soundguy, uninstall everything again and strictly follow the instructions below:

1. Go to 1- Installer folder and Install Waves Central and Run.

2.Uninstall previous versions

3. Select Offline Installer and Click Install from an Offline Installer

4. Browse the Waves folder you downloaded (Inside : 1 - Installer)

5. Select Waves Ultimate or any other plugins and applications and select Install (Uncheck SD/HD)

6. Run V.R Patch

7. Reboot

 

Hello,

I did your exact steps
Uninstalled all
Installed central
Uninstalled prev versions
Selected offline installer and installed a plugin
Ran V.R Patch
Rebooted

After reboot, plugins are working

I reopened central, then plugins are no longer working

When I open central after patch, it is breaking patch

It isn't friendly, but possible, I could never open central after patch, or re-run patch after opening central
Not ideal but possible

 

If you have an open internet connection going on that machine while running WC it could be contacting the mothership and deactivating stuff. If no inet connex it's very odd - never heard of that happening before. With the v.r. patch you shouldn't need to "log into" any accounts. Should work just fine offline.

 

Hey, yes on both the working and non-working laptop I am connected to internet
I can try the process again without internet to see if something changes
I wondered if a hosts file edit might be needed to stop any kind of external contact but that isn't documented anywhere and again the other laptop that does work is connected to internet and doesn't have that problem
I'll still try just to see

In terms of logging in, the only reason I was doing that was to use the online installer instead of the offline one
These laptops do need to stay online regularly, just to note
(I'm happy to install with the offline installer if that's needed for the patch to work, but the online installer did work with the patch on the working laptop)

 

Did the same uninstall/reinstall process again, I'm getting faster :P
This time without internet and defender real-time disabled

Sadly same result, so seemingly nothing internet/external contact related.

Still, when I start waves after the reboot, it requires UAC on only the not working laptop, it seems whatever it is doing when it requests that is breaking the patch
The only info I have on that is when I say No to UAC, waves comes up with an error about "Waves License Engine installation failed"
The only option is to restart central, but this stops it from breaking the patch, just means I can't use central...

If I say Yes to UAC, waves starts correctly and I can use it, but it breaks the patch, meaning all plugins run in demo mode

Whatever it is doing when it asks for UAC on startup seems to be breaking the patch on this laptop, I'm just not sure what it is doing or why...

 

UAC should be turned OFF completely. If you're running defender A/V that should be completely disabled as well.. If there was going to be anything that would interfere with running warez it would be those two. Keep internet OFF and re-run the install. See what happens then. Be advised that by using the GUI defender OFF switch there can be portions of the A/V still running. On reboot the A/V will be re-enabled regardless of the fact you used the switch to turn it off...

 

Last edited: Dec 5, 2025

How to Disable User Account Control in Windows

Problem:
You want to disable User Account Control (UAC) in Windows to troubleshoot a software issue or to improve the performance of a program, especially if it interacts with other software.

Solution:
User Account Control (UAC) is a Microsoft security tool that helps prevent malicious software from entering your system. It's not a full-fledged malware or virus protection solution, but it will notify you about changes that are about to be made to your computer. Temporarily disabling UAC can help isolate or resolve application problems. Re-enable this security setting once the issue is resolved.

How to Disable UAC:
1. Type "uac" in the Windows Start menu.
2. Click "Change User Account Control settings."
3. Move the slider down to "Never notify."
4. Click OK and restart your computer.

 

I set UAC to Never notify, and again disabled defender (with the switch, but yes thank you for reminding it's re-enabled after reboot), and disconnected from internet

The issue is still the same

And I should clarify, I don't think the problem is UAC itself, I just noticed that on the not working laptop, central asks for UAC on startup, and on the working laptop it does not. I don't think UAC is the problem itself, just a hint/difference I noticed
I'm not sure why central is asking for UAC on one device but not the other, but it seems related to my problem of central breaking the patch while starting

Edit: I also don't suspect defender is causing any problems because I am getting no notifications or protection history logs, and it is not causing problems on the working laptop (same win version)
However I am and will still disable just to make 100% sure it is not conflicting

 

If the installation fails again, you should try this version:

Waves Complete v2025.08.20 Patched and Keygen Only-R2R
Team R2R | 2025.08.22 | 4.6 MB

Temporarily Disable Windows Defender via Windows Settings

This is useful if you only need to disable it temporarily.

- Open Settings via the Start menu or by pressing [Windows] + .
- Go to Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.
- Under Virus & threat protection settings, click Manage settings.
- Turn off Real-time protection.
You can also disable Cloud-based protection, Automatic sample submission, and Tamper protection here.

 

I used the R2R patch on my old laptop previously and it worked well once I understood the process :P
I haven't tried it on the new laptop

I wanted to use V.R for magma stressbox and L4 combability which R2R doesn't support yet

I think my solution for now may be just avoid opening central, and if I need to, run the patch after closing
Not that bad