My plugins are all over the place since the Cambridge update.
 
I don't use any special menus, just the default and I have VST 3s showing up in VST 2 entries in the menus but in the Plugin Manager they are correctly listed as VST 3 with their locations properly shown.
 
I don't do anything fancy with plugins. They all go to Program Files\VSTPlugins\Manufacturer Name\   for VST 2's and VST3s just go to the default Program Files\Common Files\Manufacturer Name
 
I even have data paths showing in my default plugin Menu in the Browser under VST 2. I t starts with Program Files\
 
I have paths that were not being used before showing and I can't make paths that I type into Preferences or the Plugin Manager to stick hence I don't scan most of my plugins, not to mention that all my Waves plugins have also gone crazy and Ive just deleted the whole of Mercury while I try to sort this mess out.
 
Anyone else having issues? I've done a reset and rescan many times. I rebooted as well. I've checked the registry and Sonar is not even honouring registry entries with respect to plugins - VST 2 anyway.  VST 3s are Ok except for Waves which I've uninstalled as I've mentioned already.

Check the scan paths in Preferences > File > VST Settings. If things are as simple has you have described there should only be two entries one each for VST2 and VST3. Have you been experimenting with junctions in the scan path?

The paths aren't sticking after I browse to a location and press enter nothing happens. I've found a couple of corrupt Registry entries that may explain matters. The key for a VST path is named differently to the txt string contained within and its that txt that indicates a different Plugin path. Really weird as this was all fine before the update.
 
Tell me scook on another but perhaps related matter, what happens to a link that's deleted in windows explorer? Its gone isn't it? Shouldn't effect things anymore.

Here's a screen shot
 
 

 
 
 

There should be no need to be digging in the registry for this stuff. All the paths except for the ProChannel are exposed in Preferences > File > VST Settings but since you are in there make sure you are looking at HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Cakewalk Music Software\SONAR\Cakewalk VST X64\Paths, the path

 
A deleted link is gone and should not affect things anymore.

Did you remove the VST2 versions of the VKFX plug-ins? The scanner is now picking up the PC modules in place of them.
 

Yep. The only reason I'm in there is because, as I said the Plugin Manager wont allow me to add a new path that actually sticks.
 
I've now found 2 entries in the registry where the name of the key does not match the name of the txt string within the key. I now fixed that and doing a complete rescan of all plugins. But it still doesn't explain what's showing in my browser. Maybe by the time the scan is done everything will be OK.
 
The question is how did this happen. Happily working on a project, get the news about the new update and this afternoon install it (No new windows updates, everything else as it was yesterday and this morning) then all this weird plugin business.

You should be doing VST path maintenance in Preferences.
 

Well hooray, after the Registry edits to correct the 2 keys showing incorrect paths, it all scans OK with the exception that it still shows an entry for Program Files etc in the Browser as per the screenshot above.

Yes steve I know I should be doing that but when the paths that you enter by browsing to them are ignored and when a path that you just deleted recurs after said procedure after pressing enter there's little recourse.