In this case, 8.5.3. Can I do an install where I just install the basic Sonar program, and a few plugins? No synths, no thousands of samples? I would use it for mastering only. Import wave files, apply some plugins, and generate mp3 and wave files as products. I don't want all the samples, which Malwarebytes identifies as malware, thus slowing down my scans enormously. I could read through all 7,000 + of them, and then exempt them from future scans, but that seems an impossible task. So, a simple install of 8.5.3 with the plugins I use for mastering makes sense. The pieces are already done, either in Sonar or Reaper.
 
Thanks,
 
michael

Current versions of SONAR do not have the custom install feature provided by older versions such as 8.5. Instead the product is organized into several installers. It is possible to avoid installing sample content by not running those installers. The same is true for different groups of plug-ins (including synths) although I believe there are a few included in the SONAR installer such as TTS-1 and the PC modules  (when installing a version with the ProChannel).

OK, so it sounds like it's pretty straightforward in 8.5. Do I just de-select everything I don't want, and then install it? That's it?

8.5 has a custom installer so just uncheck everything. I have installed it in the past as a bare bones version just to get a few of the things no longer included like V Vocal and True Piano's. Those are now replaced by much superior features, so next time I won't need 8.5. But a bare bones install is very easy with 8.5. 
If your using it for mastering things have advanced 100% since then so your really short changing yourself in plug ins. Unless you have 3rd party stuff and in that case I would use a dedicated Wave editor as they are optimized for the task. 8.5 would be low on my list of software to use for serious mastering. 

Yes, there is a custom install option with a pick list. I believe 8.5 also provides a drop down above the pick list with a few prepackaged options. The basic/custom install option is a couple of screen into the install process.

Yes it's a long list and pretty easy to use. And very easy to not include all the samples, loops and tutorials etc. I never installed those ever. Not much point not installing all the plug ins because they take up relatively little space. Not sure about the VST instruments using HD space, but you certainly wouldn't need them for mastering. 

Well, I just tried it, and had to uninstall as it would not open. It was pretty bare-bones, just a handful of plugins, no synths, libraries, etc. During install, there were some error messages, which I ignored. At the very end, there were some options I wasn't sure about, and I unchecked them. Don't know what I did wrong, but I'll try again with different configuration and see what happens.

Success. I used a backup disc I made awhile back, in case the original disc was defective. Also, this time I chose to install Libraries (Cal scripts, templates, etc) in case those were essential. Not sure which change did the trick, but it worked.
 
I realize mastering tools have improved, but for now the old plugins are like old friends to me, and are good enough for what I do.

Glad it worked out.  and I'm with you about using stuff that always worked for you.. I'm not very adventuresome  myself...:] 
 
When I did it,  I only un selected the tutorials and library's and stuff. Like I say most of it doesn't take up much room.