Only for Windows Users: Do this b4 installing 20b2

As I just mentioned in another thread, I just made the migration back to PC-land after being on a Mac for decades.

Tried installing v.20b2 after uninstalling v.19.1.4 and the installer wouldn't even finish. I forgot that Windows is much more problematic with ultra-advanced software like DR in that it needs to have ZERO traces of the previous install to be stable - and usable. So if you're having ANY instability issues with BETA 20b2 do this:

Download and run the REVO Uninstaller Pro (free 30-day trial) and remove DR - but make SURE you use the "scan for traces" after it does the uninstall and that will give you the clean foundation you need.

I tested this 5 times, by using the Windows uninstaller vs REVO and it was the same result each time: there were 3 leftover registry files and just over 200 other miscellaneous files from Blackmagic scattered all over the C-drive that were totally hidden. REVO hunted them down and removed them all.

After that the new BETA installed perfectly and I've been throwing the kitchen sink at DR ever since with ZERO stability issues.

Let REVO create a clean foundation and chances are all your stability woes will disappear. Unless you've got a dead BBQ'd squirrel packed away in your ATX case. hahaha

For reference I'm using:
- Win-11 Home
- MSI B450 Tomahawk Max II
- Ryzen 7 2700X (8-core)
- Radeon RX 580 (8GB VRAM)
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD for the C-drive
- 1TB Samsung EVO990 M.2 NVMe "D" drive where all my working files and DR database and projects live.

Windows is much more problematic with ultra-advanced software like DR in that it needs to have ZERO traces of the previous install to be stable - and usable.

I've never found that to be true. I just install the new version over the old and it works every time. (So long as both are Studio.)

Windows is much more problematic with ultra-advanced software like DR in that it needs to have ZERO traces of the previous install to be stable - and usable.

I've never found that to be true. I just install the new version over the old and it works every time. (So long as both are Studio.)

+1. Zero install issues. Ever.... over many years of updates.

Same for me. I have Resolve setup to participate in beta releases it gives me popup when one is available. I just click download and install. No difference to my Studio Max. I never uninstall always let the installer manage.

+1, Never had any problem with updating resolve

I think you need to upgrade your device

Simply installing a new version on top of the old one is not a problem for me either. Always clean and nothing needs uninstalling first.

OK guys, there's just no problem with installing over a previous. Good for you. Clearly there ARE verifiable issues with this otherwise the forum wouldn't be flooded with all manner of install/launch/unstable issues from people just not getting anywhere from a new version.

This is why I stopped posting help articles on forums, too many jerkoffs with too much time on their hands thinking because they don't have issues nobody else should.

When someone mentions an issue they're having, many of us immediately attempt to reproduce the problem so we can contribute to verifying if the problem is the software or the user's computer.

It is normal to report when we don't have a similar problem.

Installation issues are often a result of some kind of permissions failure, where the installer is unable to remove or overwrite a file. This could be for a number of reasons.

I purchased Resolve in 2019, and have never had an issue with installing newer versions. I've installed every update there has been. And me stating that does not undermine you describing a problem, it simply states that this is not a problem that everyone is having. It is not me saying that you're not experiencing difficulties.

Installation issues have not been a common thing in Windows since Vista.

I commented for two reasons. The title was centred on Windows as having the problems and not Mac. Not true for me as it was my Mac that had the problem. In neither case did I uninstall. I have faith that BM engineering know how to install over a previous release and any issues will be hardware or software conflicts. I also agree that these are more likely on a Windows PC. However in my case both times I have had problems they have been on my Mac.

I didn't comment because I have nothing to add other than I've never had an issue installing over Resolve on Windows or Mac. However, I can imagine there being many contributing factors to a failed upgrade. We've seen this on Macs where security features of the OS have interfered (not having write permissions on folders, etc.) and clearly this could also occur under Windows (whether or not the installer is run with administrative privileges, anti-virus quarantining files, etc.). Certainly there could also be bugs in the installer itself that don't account for all manner of environments.

I think it's reasonable to document the nuclear option when all else fails and over the years I've seen others document how to completely remove product 'ABC' when all else fails. This is one such thread.

I have the reverse problem.

I upgraded Windows 11 Home to 20 STUDIO. Decided to remove and add 19 back as my daily driver.

A Windows novice, I thought I was completely erased from 20, but while attempting to load 19 again, the pop-up says something like this: "Can not load 19, a more recent version is installed."

What steps does a beginner Windows 11 user take, including "REVO," to get back to work with 19?

Thank you.

As I just mentioned in another thread, I just made the migration back to PC-land after being on a Mac for decades.

Tried installing v.20b2 after uninstalling v.19.1.4 and the installer wouldn't even finish. I forgot that Windows is much more problematic with ultra-advanced software like DR in that it needs to have ZERO traces of the previous install to be stable - and usable. So if you're having ANY instability issues with BETA 20b2 do this:

Download and run the REVO Uninstaller Pro (free 30-day trial) and remove DR - but make SURE you use the "scan for traces" after it does the uninstall and that will give you the clean foundation you need.

I tested this 5 times, by using the Windows uninstaller vs REVO and it was the same result each time: there were 3 leftover registry files and just over 200 other miscellaneous files from Blackmagic scattered all over the C-drive that were totally hidden. REVO hunted them down and removed them all.

After that the new BETA installed perfectly and I've been throwing the kitchen sink at DR ever since with ZERO stability issues.

Let REVO create a clean foundation and chances are all your stability woes will disappear. Unless you've got a dead BBQ'd squirrel packed away in your ATX case. hahaha

For reference I'm using:
- Win-11 Home
- MSI B450 Tomahawk Max II
- Ryzen 7 2700X (8-core)
- Radeon RX 580 (8GB VRAM)
- 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD for the C-drive
- 1TB Samsung EVO990 M.2 NVMe "D" drive where all my working files and DR database and projects live.

I have the reverse problem.

I upgraded Windows 11 Home to 20 STUDIO. Decided to remove and add 19 back as my daily driver.

A Windows novice, I thought I was completely erased from 20, but while attempting to load 19 again, the pop-up says something like this: "Can not load 19, a more recent version is installed."

What steps does a beginner Windows 11 user take, including "REVO," to get back to work with 19?

Thank you.

As a Windows novice, I suspect you tried to remove DR20 using Mac procedures. You can't just delete stuff in Windows or stuff like registry entries get left behind. There is zero need for 3rd party tools like REVO Uninstaller. I would simply reinstall DR20 Studio, then go to the Control Panel and properly uninstall it, along with any other BlackMagic software you find. Reboot, then install 19.

Download and run the REVO Uninstaller Pro (free 30-day trial) and remove DR - but make SURE you use the "scan for traces" after it does the uninstall and that will give you the clean foundation you need.

I tested this 5 times, by using the Windows uninstaller vs REVO and it was the same result each time: there were 3 leftover registry files and just over 200 other miscellaneous files from Blackmagic scattered all over the C-drive that were totally hidden. REVO hunted them down and removed them all.

Thank you for this. I' struggled to install 20beta 2. It just fails on the actual install of the new version after the installer has uninstalled the previous versions.
I eventually restored every weeks system image until i found one that worked. I think it will update from 19.4 but not 20Beta1. I was not sure why an older system image worked and a newer one didn't. Another change was upon restoring the system image I used a third party app to disable all but security windows updates. I think windows is more stable only allowing feature updates once per year.

Previously i have had no issues installing any software including any black magic software.

Out of habit, prompted by Windows behaviour with another programme in the past. I always uninstall just the Resolve app in Control Panel/Programs and Features before installing a new version. Like others here I've never had a problem with a new version installation.

thinking because they don't have issues nobody else should.

That's part of the discovery process. If 10 people respond "it works for me", then it may be wise to start looking at what you might be doing different. (Even if there are multiple "yous" having the issue.)