Anyone know what the latest version of Kontakt is, and should I avoid the symlink version. I've read mixed things about it.
 
Thanks - rev

Sorry for my ignorance, but what does symlink means?

Rog:
Symlink technology creates a folder containing a link to your VST folder, a pointer in other words. Nothing goes into the registry, it's all done kinda on the fly and on the surface. If you want to get rid of it - delete - done.
 
At first, I was thinking that stuff pointing to stuff that then has to do stuff would be adding an unnecessary complication but I didn't wait for an answer from here, I tried it.
 
I've never had more stuff recognized so quickly and painlessly. You can tell the app to scan an entire drive and it will find all your Kontakt libraries or you can Browse to narrow down the search. The app found all my Kontakt libraries, no activation necessary, it recognizes encrypted patches and you can save encrypted scripts.
 
Even the full version gave users problems with 'no library found' or 'this patch is encrypted' but not with the symlink version, everything happened seamlessly and instantly. 
 
rev

It shouldn’t have an adverse effect. I use default locations for all my installations but use links to put my files where I want them. This includes plugins but I’ve not had any problems.

As for Kontakt, not sure what you mean by symlink Version, unless you have managed to mess up creating links and find yourself with multiple copies of the Kontakt dll.

To find out the latest version just open up Native Access. It will tell you the current version you have installed and if theres an update.

>As for Kontakt, not sure what you mean by symlink Version
You might have missed my reply (above). Symlink technology, I believe, resulted from Portable requirements, being able to use these apps on a phone or tablet. 
 
I have a big bad machine with petabytes of everything and a water cooling option so I don't know how people work with digital audio on a phone - but I'm not a millennial. Call me old fashioned but I went to school! I claim to know more than Facebook and video games, I know climate change is real.
 
Forest Trump is out to lunch and I have to finish my tunes before the ice melts. I know no one will listen to them but every nano-second helps! :)
 
rev

The version of which you speak is obviously a pirated/cracked version if it doesn't require activation and bypasses encryption.
 

As far as I know, there is only one NI authorized version of Kontakt.  Current version is 5.8.1.
 
Using symlinks is a valid method for relocating large data folders such as sample libraries after you have installed them, so that the application still thinks the libraries are in the original path locations. 
 
Since the current version of NI Native Access allows you to define content paths directly in preferences, it shouldn't be necessary to be concerned with using symlinks for Kontakt.
 
Also, have never heard of a portable install for Kontakt.  That does have some red flags for piracy, and I would avoid!