( https://www.dropbox.com/s/d2rfrn5kquab8k8/synth-browser.jpg if I didn't attach that correctly... )
 
Anyone know of the best way to figure out which versions of a VST I can remove from my Synth Browser Layout? As you can see in the picture I've attached, mostly with Native Instruments stuff, I have multiple versions of many of my synths... Kontakt 5 is the worst offender with 6 entries haha... Absynth 5 and Kontakt 4 are also pretty bad...
 
Obviously I want to keep the "newest" one aka the version that's being updated when I run Native Instruments official updates through service center... However, I don't really know which that is...
 
Thanks! 

The multiple version of NI plug-ins are various output configurations. Except for the single stereo out, the dll names contain information about the output configuration. The VST name displayed in SONAR X2 and above is controlled by the VSTPlugInNameFormat variable in the Cakewalk.ini. See here for details about the variable and here on how to change it. Or use a custom plug-in layout.

I'll check those 2 links. Thanks.
 
I just want to have 1 or maybe 2 Kontakts... There's no reason for me to ever need other configurations... And since they're not labeled it's hard to know which is which (other than the 16 out and 8 out).
 
Also, most of those Kontakt 5s you see in my picture don't work with the brand new "Rise & Hit" Kontakt expansion that Native Instruments released yesterday. It says they're not a new enough version... But sure enough I started trying some of the other ones and I found one that IS being updated. So it is a real problem for me that some of those are not being updated and still showing up... I'd much rather the ones not being updated just not exist you know?
 
I'll check those links though to see if I can figure it out.
 
 

Filename at the bottom of the Cakewalk Plugin Manager displays the fully qualified file name for a dll. This should help with figuring out which are the good versions and which may be deleted or excluded.

If I were in your position, I'd rename all but one (change .dll to .xll or something) and run a host doing a rescan.  Load the vst and check the version number.  Repeat for other candidates.  Keep good notes and you should easily be able to weed out all but the most recent version.

That's the long way but yea I'll do it if I have to :-) Gonna try to figure it out using everyone's suggestions this weekend.
 
Thanks