"C\Program Files\" is for 64-bit apps and plug-ins.
"C:\Program Files (x86)\" is for 32-bit apps and plug-ins.
Audacity is a 32-bit app on Windows and can only use 32-bit plug-ins. 64-bit plug-ins won't work in Audacity on Windows.
plugins folder thing..
Forum rules
This forum is for Audacity on Windows.
Please state which version of Windows you are using,
and the exact three-section version number of Audacity from "Help menu > About Audacity".
Audacity 1.2.x and 1.3.x are obsolete and no longer supported. If you still have those versions, please upgrade at https://www.audacityteam.org/download/.
The old forums for those versions are now closed, but you can still read the archives of the 1.2.x and 1.3.x forums.
This forum is for Audacity on Windows.Please state which version of Windows you are using,
and the exact three-section version number of Audacity from "Help menu > About Audacity".
Audacity 1.2.x and 1.3.x are obsolete and no longer supported. If you still have those versions, please upgrade at https://www.audacityteam.org/download/.
The old forums for those versions are now closed, but you can still read the archives of the 1.2.x and 1.3.x forums.
Re: plugins folder thing..
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Re: plugins folder thing..
Yes Audacity "should" find VST plug-ins that are in the VST Path (when they are supported plug-ins).
I'm not able to test this as I'm on Linux, but I'll ask the developers if they can reproduce the problem.
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Re: plugins folder thing..
Yes this is a bug. I've logged it on the Audacity bug tracker.
As a workaround, the plug-in, or a copy of the plug-in can be placed into:
32-bit Windows:
C:\\Program Files\\Audacity
or
64-bit Windows:
C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Audacity
9/10 questions are answered in the FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)