Installing Ableton Live
Learn how to install Ableton Live on macOS or Windows: check system requirements, download and run the installer, authorize Live, add Packs, and start making music.
Check system requirements
Download Ableton Live
Install Live on macOS
Install Live on Windows
Authorize Live
Launch and set up Live
Troubleshooting
Check system requirements
Before installing, make sure your computer meets Live's minimum system requirements.
Before saving existing Live projects in a newer version, see the limitations on backward compatibility. For more information, visit these links:
- macOS Compatibility with Live
- Windows Compatibility with Live
- Live 1-9 Minimum System Requirements
- Live 9 is not supported on macOS 10.15 Catalina or higher
Download Ableton Live
- Log in to your Ableton Account.
- Go to Licenses & Packs.
- Select your Live version and operating system from the dropdown menus and click Download. On macOS, select macOS Universal unless installing on an Intel Mac running macOS 10.13 High Sierra.
Install Live on macOS
- Open the downloaded .dmg file.
- Drag the Ableton Live icon into the Applications folder when prompted.
- Close and eject the installer when finished.
Note: You can force Live to run as an Intel application via Rosetta 2 on an Apple Silicon-based Mac, as explained in the guide How to open Live using Rosetta on macOS. However, running Live via Rosetta is not necessary or recommended if your plug-ins are updated for Apple Silicon. To ensure compatibility, please check for Apple Silicon and macOS support provided by each plug-in developer.
Install Live on Windows
Note: Do not save or copy any content, files, samples or projects into Live's installation folder. Any personal data saved here will be lost if you uninstall, auto-update, or manually update Live.
Live 12 and Live 11
- Right-click on the downloaded Zip file to unpack it, then click Extract.
- One extracted, double click the file Ableton Live [Version Edition] Installer.exe to launch it.
- The setup wizard will guide you through the steps to install Live. Make sure to install to the default location: C:\ProgramData\Ableton\
Note: The two Data.cab files extracted with the Installer.exe do not need to be decompressed further.
Live 10
- Right-click on the downloaded Zip file to unpack it.
- Choose Extract All... from the dropdown menu.
- Once unpacked, double click Setup.msi to launch it.
- The setup wizard will guide you through the steps to install Live 10. Make sure to install Live to the default location: C:\ProgramData\Ableton\
All Live versions
Once installation is complete, delete the installer package, e.g. ableton_live_suite_12.2.1_64.zip. To open Live, click on the Windows Start menu.
Authorize Live
After installing, launch Live from the Applications folder (macOS) or Start menu (Windows). When you open Live for the first time, you'll be prompted to authorize.
- Sign in with your Ableton User Account.
- Follow the on-screen steps to complete authorization.
Learn more about Authorizing Live Online. If needed, you can also authorize Live using the Offline method.
Launch and set up Live
After installation and authorization, it's important to configure Live and your computer for the best audio and performance:
- Update device drivers and plug-ins.
- Optimize Windows for audio and set buffer size and sample rate.
- Learn how to set up an audio interface.
- Set up MIDI controllers.
- Configure VST/VST3 plug-ins on Windows or VST/VST3/AU plug-ins on macOS. Please note: Outdated or incorrectly configured plug-ins may cause performance issues in Live.
- Test playback with the included demo set.
Install Packs
Packs expand Live with additional instruments, sounds, and devices. To install Packs, go to Live’s Browser → Packs, and click Install on any available Pack. Packs you’ve purchased or included with your license are also available in your Ableton account. Learn more about Installing Live Packs.
Get started with Live
For more tips to start making music, visit Getting Started with Ableton Live and Learn Live tutorials, or access the Live Manual from Live → Help Menu → Read the Live Manual. Interactive lessons for using Live are offered in Live → Help Menu → Built In Lessons.
Troubleshooting
If you're not able to run the installer or complete the installation process, check your system compatibility and visit the Installation FAQ. Learn more about troubleshooting Live Installer issues on Windows.