I decided "what the hell" and installed Windows 10 on my Win 7 machine. I have a decent connection, but it took hours to download.
My PC had no password on the WIn7 version and no other users.
Win 10 advised me to change my language settings to UK English - I did.
Everything installed correctly and Band in a Box worked.
I switched off and next morning turned on again
Out of the blue, Win 10 demanded my Live ID login password in order to load my desktop.
I NEVER use Live ID and had forgotten my password.
Using my phone I was forced to change me Live password. This is exceedingly tedious, because it involves sending a security number by email and in this email does not have a link to the entry page for the security number. Also, the new password cannot be an old password, or under eight digits or only letters - its fussy, and every entry means a new captcha too.
Having overcome all this and had my new password confirmed, I restarted my Win 10 machine.
Again I was asked for Win Live ID login details.
The password did NOT work. I tried many times, no go. The machine IS connected to the internet.
I tried the same password on the phone - it worked. I tried on my laptop it worked.
I returned to my PC switched it off, started it again, and again it demanded my Windows live password. I typed it in, it did not work. I checked it over and over and did it real slow mo. No luck.
I tried to demonstrate the issue to a friend.
THE PASSWORD suddenly worked!
I don't even WANT a password on this machine, but now, I guess I am stuck with it.
Others are having similar issues, moral is:
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOUR WIN LIVE ID BEFORE YOU INSTALL!!! You WON'T be told this!
So far, I can't see any good reason for a Win 7 user to upgrade, (I did it for curiosity). It's a little tidier, maybe I shall find some killer features soon. It all seems to work in initial tests, no driver issues.
The password is not working again. I was forced ot logout and cant back in the PC now. The SAME ID for WIndows live works on my phone and my laptop, but not on WIn 10.
Just check that it's not something out of left field like the Num Lock or Caps Lock on by default after a restart.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Got in touch with MS help. They advised wiping the hard drive and waiting 24 hrs!
Eventually my brilliant daughter found the issue. Windows 10 had somehow reset my machine so that num lock was turned on by default!!!. This meant my smallish keyboard subbed some numbers for letters in my password! In Bios, my machine was set up so that num was auto turned off. I have checked the bios and it was not turned on(off). I have reset it so that num lock seems to be turned off for passwords. This is currently working for the password, but when I go into Word or something, number lock is auto turned on (typing on this forum was the same)
Not until you begin typing the password, is it possible to see a little greyed out "eye" icon, that will reveal the letters of your password, ONLY if clicked and held on the mouse.
You live and learn! Took me a day to solve this one
Upgraded wifeys, Win7 to Win10, and as best I recall, when I rebooted it asked for a Windows Live account password, and I clicked, ignore or cancel, and it booted just fine with no password needed to boot the machine going forward.
Not so here Dan, I tried it. Whilst installing windows 10, I was asked a question about wether I wanted a local password, or a "Windows" password. Not knowing what these terms meant, and having no internet to find out, I plumped for "Windows", this meant I needed my WIndows Live ID (though the screen never said this. A local password limit's you machine to only your machine. Presumably a Windows LIve password lets you access your work from any device.
There is a setting in DOS that ensures that num lock is turned off when WIn7 (and previous) is booting up for windows. I remember setting it, but somehow the setting got lost on the re-install.
On larger keyboards the numbers pad is to one side of the alphabet keys, but on my keyboard, when the number pad is on, the letter u gives 4, the letter I gives 5 and so forth. There is no light on this keyboard to tell that it is on. That's what caused this elementary stubling block.
Now, I am going to try and find control panel, which seems to be hidden somewhere and replaced with a "settings" menu which seems cut down to me
I had Num Lock on by default on one computer. There was no setting I could find in the BIOS, but I did find a Registry key that resolved it. Trevor
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Thank you folks, I have set the num lock issue in BIOS. It's working. I have also found control panel, I can access it, and a lot of other useful things (Device manager, Program and features, disk manager, file explorer, and a lot more, by right clicking the start button.
Initially, I find WIn10 good. It's tidier, though so far no killer features, just more thoughtfully laid out.
One thought I did have, is what if Win Live ID is hacked or goes down? A lot of users, even most PC's across the world, will not even be able to log on - globally. Seems like an Achilles heel.
Today started with a major crash. When I booted up first all was fine (except windows telling me that I was not connected when I was- in the boot up screen). But anyways
Overnight I had put in a external hard drive I have - 2tb.
Apparently this was not indexed as it was out of the picture when I instsalled WIndows 10.
Win 10 took ages to index. Explorer said "this is not respond, and a green bar showed up incating the job was 95% done, then hanging.
Because of this I had a major crash. I tgried to access oither programs with no luck. Nuthin was moving!
Both screens go black except for a mouse.
I did a hard restart.
Logging in was OK, then it hung. Again a black screen with a mouse.
At first I could not work it out, but then I guessed, the hard drive (which does work!) was being indexed before Win 10 desktop would appear. I pulled it out of the system (USB2) and Windows grinded back up to the desktop.
I checked out the hard disk, its sound. plugging it back in I find that windows has indexed the root folders but when I click on them, things begin to go to road block.
I think eventually I shall be able to index this drive, but it is NOT easy
I might be just talking to myself here, but Spartan seems really poor. No way to import bookmarks, looked like IE with bits lobbed of it, some chromeyness icons, but no real power
If you want to you can roll back to Windows 7 or 8.1 whichever the system was previously. You have 30 days from the install of Windows 10, then the Windows old or previous version will be deleted. More on how to roll back here :-
XPro & Xtra Styles PAK Sets On Sale Now - Until May 15, 2026!
All of our XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs are on sale until May 15th, 2026!
It's the perfect time to expand your Band-in-a-Box® style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs. These additional styles for Band-in-a-Box® offer a wide range of genres designed to fit seamlessly into your projects. Each style is professionally arranged and mixed, helping enhance your songs while saving you time.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-10 includes 1,000 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 includes 3,700 styles (and 35 MIDI styles)!
The XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs are not included in any Band-in-a-Box® package.
The XPro Styles PAKs 1-10 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
The Xtra Styles PAKs 1-21 are available for only $29 ea (reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the Xtra Styles PAK Bundle for only $199 (reg. $349)! Listen to demos and order now! For Mac or for Windows.
Note: XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version as they require the RealTracks included in the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
Supercharge your Band-in-a-Box today with XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAK Sets!
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
Whether you're exploring new features, checking out the latest RealTracks or Style PAKs, this is your go-to guide for Band-in-a-Box® 2026.
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac is here and it is packed with major new features! There’s a new modern look, a GUI redesign to all areas of the program including toolbars, windows, workflow and more. There’s a Multi-view layout for organizing multiple windows. A standout addition is the powerful AI-Notes feature, which uses AI neural-net technology to transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI—entire mixes or individual instruments—making it easy to study, view, and play parts from any song. And that’s just the beginning—there are over 100 new features in this exciting release.
Along with version 2026, we've released an incredible lineup of new content! There's 202 new RealTracks, brand-new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two new RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac and save up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special offer—available until May 15, 2026. Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page to explore all available upgrade options.
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
Our Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK are loaded with amazing add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is included with most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac packages, but you can unlock even more—including 20 unreleased RealTracks—by upgrading to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean