How do I edit the registry so Cakewalk is no longer the default folder where plugins get installed?

There is no easy way to do that as some plugins don't like being moved. Easier to just keep the cakewalk directory.

It's easy, change the 'data' in the VSTplugins path in
 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VST
 
From C\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins to where you want it
 
I always hated how Cakewalk took over that

Great, that's what I'm looking for.
Thanks!

Thank you! I've been looking for this for years. Too bad about Sonar. At least they enjoyed the whole ride. 

Matron Landslide
It's easy, change the 'data' in the VSTplugins path in
 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\VST
 
From C\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins to where you want it
 
I always hated how Cakewalk took over that

Nice! Will this work even with NI VSTs and others that don't allow you to move them? I have several VST folder locations. Maybe I could combine them into 1?

That sets the Windows default vst location, When you install SONAR it hijacks it, then more often then not when you go to install a plug it will come up with the Cakewalk path by default. Some plugins/developers have it built into them another path, like the Steinberg(sure you have seen it). You could set it to where you install plugs, then most of the time it will come up with that directory by default, just saves you changing it if on install if you use a certain directory.

I must have done something right, or very wrong, when I installed Sonar, 'cos I found only CA2A, Dimension Pro and Rapture in my C\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins folder. Maybe I've changed my default plugin folder path during the installation, I can't remember.

That reg setting only effects plugins that look for it.
 
Many plugins will still default to C:\Program Files\VST or other locations because they're hard coded to.
NI plugins are installed to the locations set in Native Access preferences.
If a plugin or group of plugins has an installation manager chances are that manager will have a setting the defines where its plugins get stored - it may default to the registry setting, or other location for example C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VST.
With Sonar it's the CC preferences will set were most of it's plugins will be installed to regardless of the registry setting - though from what I recall there are a couple that still use the registry setting instead or end up someplace like C\Program Files\Cakewalk\Vstplugins.

Matron Landslide
That sets the Windows default vst location, When you install SONAR it hijacks it, then more often then not when you go to install a plug it will come up with the Cakewalk path by default. Some plugins/developers have it built into them another path, like the Steinberg(sure you have seen it). You could set it to where you install plugs, then most of the time it will come up with that directory by default, just saves you changing it if on install if you use a certain directory.

OK, but if you already have plugins installed there and you rename that directory or move the plugins some of them will no longer work. I had this problem once before. Native Instruments and some others have this problem. NI has a tool to help you move them but it doesn't always work. But I see now that the OP wasn't talking about moving it. Just changing it from the default path. It's been a long day/night.