Hi there, I'm having major issues installing the new 2026 BIAB. I have used the "Install Manager" and seperate files but no joy.
I get the error message "You cannot install to the hard drive root. Please select a folder (e.g. C:\)."
So, I've tried - selecting a folder i.e. (C:\bb) - selecting a folder i.e. (G:\bb) - G is my external hard drive - folders inside a folder ( 2 or 3 folders deep) - creating new folders and locations - tried installling on the external drive where the RealTrack files are - downloading the install and manually installing - different admin account
Basically I get the above error message each and everytime.
I contacted the chat yesterday and he suggested deleting everything and starting again (all the files took hours to download).
Anyway I did this as getting it working is the priority and it's made no difference at all.
I'm literally unable to install the program files .
I tried your suggestion and it didn't work unfortnately. In previous years I've always installed the program on the C drive and the Realtracks and Realdrums on the external drive.
For some reason I'm getting the same message no matter where I try or how deep into a Windows folder or Extenal Hard Drive folder I specify.
I really don't know how to resolve this and although this is a newish PC I installed BIAB 2025 UltraPAK Plus with no issues literally about 2 months ago.
Any trace of that has gone now - I didn't even uninstall it.
This is intentional for bb and RealBand since people shouldn't install the bb files directly the hard drive root. However for the RealTracks, you're right, it is actually fine (as in your case - you selected G:\ for the RealTracks). This would just create the folder G:\RealTracks. We're updating the Band-in-a-Box installer to change this behavior and will post back here when it's available.
Hi Andrew, Thanks for replying. I've also tried folders inside the C drive and no luck. Also I've got another drive that didnt work either. And I've tried the G drive with no luck there as well.
Everywhere I have tried comes with that error message even though I'm trying 2 or 3 folders deep.
I've tried every single drive including the external drive (G) and nothing works unfortnately.
C:\bb (My Windows drive) G:\bb (My External drive) D:\bb (Seperate hard drive) E:\bb (Seperate hard drive)
And I've tried...
C:\bb\new folder (My Windows drive) G:\bb\new folder (My External drive) D:\bb\new folder (Seperate hard drive) E:\bb\new folder (Seperate hard drive)
new folder = me creating a new folder within the hard drive just for clarity.
I've tried 1, 2 and even 3 folders deep but I get the same message no matter what drive I try or how many folders deep I try.
I'm using the BIAB manger installer and I've manually downloaded an installer, I've tried another Admin account on the computer and have installed loads of software like Cubase, Albeton Live and scores of 3rd Party VST's from numerous manufactuers without any issue - and that's just music software as an example.
Thanks for all help and suggestions thus far, if there's any work arounds or suggestions I'm all ears.
Windows 11 Professional is my Operating System BTW. BIAB Install Manger version - 1.0.98 BIAB installer version - Build 1211
What I would try if something like this showed up. Pre requisite. Make sure BIAB is not running on the background, or some processes related to BIAB in task mngr. Restart computer.
1) Run DL manager as admin, or check if there some kind of permission thing related to your setup. Folder permission? Can you manually create bb folder in root, without DL manager in file explorer?
2) Download main BIAB package (first item on the list) to whatever folder it defaults, without "auto install" to and try install it manually from folder.
3) If you already have bb folder in root, rename it to bbOld, try Install manager again.
What I would try if something like this showed up. Pre requisite. Make sure BIAB is not running on the background, or some processes related to BIAB in task mngr. Restart computer.
1) Run DL manager as admin, or check if there some kind of permission thing related to your setup. Folder permission? Can you manually create bb folder in root, without DL manager in file explorer?
2) Download main BIAB package (first item on the list) to whatever folder it defaults, without "auto install" to and try install it manually from folder.
3) If you already have bb folder in root, rename it to bbOld, try Install manager again.
Thanks for that.
I tried every suggestion on your list but still no luck.
Hi Andrew, Thanks for replying. I've also tried folders inside the C drive and no luck. Also I've got another drive that didnt work either. And I've tried the G drive with no luck there as well.
Right - as I said it's intentional and I could see in your screenshot that you had selected G:\ for the RealTracks which is the root of the G drive. In any case, the installers have now been changed to allow root for your RealTracks and Drums folders, which makes sense.
So you can re-download just the program install (i.e. Band-in-a-Box and RealBand 2026 ....exe) and this will be fixed for you.
Hi Andrew, Thanks for replying. I've also tried folders inside the C drive and no luck. Also I've got another drive that didnt work either. And I've tried the G drive with no luck there as well.
Right - as I said it's intentional and I could see in your screenshot that you had selected G:\ for the RealTracks which is the root of the G drive. In any case, the installers have now been changed to allow root for your RealTracks and Drums folders, which makes sense.
So you can re-download just the program install (i.e. Band-in-a-Box and RealBand 2026 ....exe) and this will be fixed for you.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you so much!
I've manually downloaded and installed the new install (Build 1212) and I can confirm it has now installed fine without any issues
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