: By: Derek Moran; In: FAQs; Published: 02 March 2014; Last Updated: 02 September 2022

Q: Can I work on the same project using two different computers?

Answer: Yes you can is the simple answer.

MAGIX software (the new owners of Vegas) allow you to install Vegas Movie Studio or Vegas Pro on up to 2x different computers. Typically you may have a laptop computer for on the road and a desktop computer at home.

What happens if you want to work on the same project with both computers ?

There are two ways you can do this. One would be to have all your media files on a shared External Hard Drive, Computer or Cloud Service. So no matter which computer you are using, the media files all have the same folder address.

Another way you could do this, is to have a copy of all your media files on both computers. You may be on the road and want to do some video editing each night on your laptop computer. However, a problem will arise when you get back home and wish to transfer your project from the laptop to desktop or vice versa. When you open up the project on your desktop, a pop up window will tell you that "The following file could not be found in the specified location". Which means you need to tell "The Project" where the media files are located and then re-save the project, so that the new file locations are locked in.

Instructions for relocating missing Media Files

Vegas Pro and Movie Studio Platinum have an excellent search function which makes it easy to locate missing files. It does not matter if you are transferring from the Laptop to Desktop or Desktop to Laptop - follow the exact same instructions.

Step 1

Open project file from laptop/desktop.
You will be greeted by this window.
Select Search for missing file and OK.

Search for missing files

Step 2

If you have more than one Drive on your desktop/laptop computer, make sure to select the correct drive that has the files.
Then press Search Now.
Once first file is found, select it and press OK.

Search for missing files - Window 2

Step 3

The following window will then pop up, saying that more media files have also been found.
Select Yes to All
This will now load up the remaining files.
Once project has loaded up, make sure to immediately Save As the project, so that the new file locations are locked in. This step is very important !

Search for missing files - Window 3

If the files are spread out on multiple hard drives, you will have to go back to Step 2 and select each hard drive one at a time and follow the instructions all the way through again.

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Max Ippo · 23:21 17/09/2020
Hello, when i try to open any project on Vegas Pro 16.0 from my PC at work to any other PC, i always have this issue : "An error occurred while reading the project file
You may check if you have reading right on this project/file and if it's not corrupt"
Well, since i can still open my project on my main PC at work, it must not be corrupt
And i check all the right without any restriction.
Can you help me to fix this issue ?
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  Derek
  
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  · 09:35 18/09/2020
  
  Hi Max
  This could get complicated...
  Could you please copy and paste your message into the MSZ Forum, where there is more room to message back and forward. I will answer as soon as I see your message in the forum. Thanks.
  https://www.moviestudiozen.com/forum/index
  
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Zachary · 09:51 27/04/2020
What if I am switching computers? Can I deactivate it on one and be able to download it on my new computer, even after downloading it on two devices beforehand?
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  Derek
  
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  · 11:09 27/04/2020
  
  You can only install on a maximum of 2x computers at the same time.
  If you need to install on a 3rd computer, first you need to de-activate one of your licenses.
  You can do this by logging into your Magix account, go to My Products - find program - click Show more details - Deactivate.
  Please note that sometimes it can take 5 to 10 minutes for activate/de-activate to work.
  
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  Zachary · 12:16 27/04/2020
  
  Thank you! As long as I’m able to do so, I feel more confident!
  
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Omar · 04:49 26/06/2019
I can confirm that while you CAN download sony vegas on more than one machine, only ONE machine will be active at any one time. You must deactivate one machine if you wish to use it on another. This is true if you purchase the yearly subscription.
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  Derek
  
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  · 12:55 26/06/2019
  
  I didn't know that was the case with Vegas 365 subscription - thanks for letting us know that.
  However, when you buy the program, you can definitely use it on 2x computers at the same time and don't have to deactivate anything when you switch computers.
  
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Fred · 06:29 31/01/2019
I am at least a few years late and I hope you still look at these comments - I was just wondering if i
can download movie studio 15 on my laptop and desktop and if possible how do i do it
thanks
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  Derek
  
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  · 13:01 31/01/2019
  
  If you actually own the program, download the installer on each computer and install it.
  Magix allows 2 installations per each license key.
  The latest build versions for Vegas Movie Studio 15 and Vegas Movie Studio Platinum 15 can be downloaded from here:
  https://www.moviestudiozen.com/doctor-zen-faq/611-vegas-movie-studio-15-update-history
  
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PZ1

Member
· 01:49 19/09/2018
Excuse me for being late, but can I activate Sony Vegas Pro 14 on multiple PCs at the same time? And can I then use it?
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  Derek
  
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  · 10:56 19/09/2018
  
  You can activate Vegas Pro on two separate computers at the same time.
  If you then wanted to install on a third machine, first you need to deactivate one of your licenses.
  Go to Help/Deactivate in Vegas or deactivate from inside your Magix account.
  
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Tom · 22:41 20/03/2016
I am trying to install Sony Movie Studio 11 on my new pc so I have it on my laptop and my PC but it keeps saying the code is invalid :/
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  Anonymous · 22:42 20/03/2016
  
  All good I just put it wrong xD
  
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Tobias · 07:19 05/02/2015
Hi Derek,

you have written, that Sony allows to install the software on a desktop computer as well as on a laptop / notebook.

"[...]
SOFTWARE LICENSE
[...]
Sony grants you a limited license to use the Software only on one (1) computer or mobile device,as applicable, and you may create one (1) back up copy of the Software.
[...]"

As I understand, this means, I am not allowed to install the software only on one device.

Is there anywhere else a hint or something which allows the usage on 2 computers? That will be great.
Thanks a lot.
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  Derek
  
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  · 12:06 05/02/2015
  
  If you install your software on a 2nd computer it will work. I have all my Sony software installed on my Desktop and Laptop for many years now with no problems. Just do it and see what happens. Nothing bad is going to happen if you try.
  
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Evgeniya · 02:25 02/06/2014
Thank you for your reply. I was missing codecs so i downloaded k-lite pack and it worked but only for some avi files. Then i found your post about converting files so i did that and now it work for all files. Thank you for your posts they helped me alot!
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  Derek
  
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  · 11:17 02/06/2014
  
  You should un-install K-lite Codec Pack immediately !
  This is known to cause big problems with Movie Studio and Vegas Pro. When you buy Movie Studio or Vegas Pro, you are paying for premium Codecs. Installing K-Lite replaces the good quality codecs from Sony with inferior ones, which means when you render a video, K-lite is controlling the encoding - not Sony.
  As you probably read in my other article, .avi is just a Video Container for many possible Video Codecs. When a .avi does not work in Movie Studio, all you have to do is convert it.
  
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Evgeniya · 15:22 14/05/2014
Thank you for your tutorial. I am doing everything step by step but after all the files are located and I am waiting for the project to load another message appears saying there is an error loading the files from the project. It loads only the picture file and the music file but it cant load the video files. Do you know what the poblem is? Thank you
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  Derek
  
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  · 16:30 14/05/2014
  
  Even though I have shown instructions for how to do this, it can be difficult for some people if the two computers you are working on are completely different. I actually would not encourage people to swap from one computer to another, unless you absolutely have to.
  If the two computers are running different Operating Systems - that could cause a problem. If you have added extra codecs onto a computer like K-Lite Codec Pack - that could also cause a problem. Please un-install if you have done this.
  I honestly don't know how to help you with an error like this, because it could be absolutely anything.
  The only last thing I suggest is that you [B]Save a Copy[/B] of all your project files in [B]Computer #1[/B] and then bring ALL those files into [B]Computer #2[/B]. When you press Save As a window pops up. Down the very bottom is a check box that says "Copy Media with Project". Select this and press Save. Now you need to import all the files that were saved with the project, into the 2nd computer. This should reduce problems.
  
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  Linda B · 03:41 19/01/2016
  
  Where do I find the copy of the file I saved when I hit the "copy media with project"? I can't find where it was saved... Thanks
  
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GUEST · 05:28 30/04/2014
Hi Derek

Do you know of any way to create a 'Vertical' rectangle in the cookie cutter section?

regards
Terry....u.k
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  Derek
  
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  · 12:03 30/04/2014
  
  No I do not - at least not at this very moment.
  If you are trying to blur something out, then there is a new tool you can use if you bought Movie Studio Suite 13. This version includes New Blue Fx Selective Focus. With this tool you can create any shape you like, if you need to blur something out.
  If you can remember which email address you used for your original MSZ Account, I can remind you of your User Name. Then you can reset your password.
  
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  guest · 05:35 30/04/2014
  
  Hi Derek
  
  2nd question ....I use MSP 12 on my laptop, it was difficult to get 13 to display on the small screen.
  
  Upstairs on my desktop I use MS 13 Suite.
  
  I like to do the simple editing on the laptop...,nice and comfy in the lounge, and I would like to do the elaborate stuff on the Desktop.
  
  Which project files do I need to copy from one pc to the other please?
  
  regards
  Terry
  
  p.s sorry to sign on as guest...I am a member..when I can find my details
  
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  Derek
  
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  · 11:49 30/04/2014
  
  What do you mean by [I]"it was difficult to get 13 to display on the small screen"[/I] ?
  Surely, V13 would be easier to use on a small screen, because of the larger controls ?
  Yes you could start with V12 and move to V13, however I would not like to encourage this type of workflow.
  You won't be able to swap backwards from V13 to V12. All versions of Movie Studio are only forwards compatible. If you tried opening a V13 project back to V12, it will not allow it.
  [B].vf[/B] is the main project file. It all depends on the nature of your project, as to any extra project files that may be there as well. Most will regenerate from the master .vf file.
  I assume when you are on your laptop, that you are accessing all your media files via Wi-Fi and your Windows Home Group, and they are located on your main PC ?
  Your question opens up many different aspects to think about. Before my laptop died, I use to do what you are doing, but I always used the same version of the program. All my actual files were located on the main pc. So I didn't have to copy anything.
  
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Q: Can I work on the same project using two different computers?

Answer: Yes you can is the simple answer.

Instructions for relocating missing Media Files

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

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