Hi , this is my first post. Ive been using Pro tools on Macs for years and recently used a PC vers for the first time. Question. Is there a way to set up a session as a stationary pad (like you do in Macs)so I dont have to keep inporting session data. So I can save a session as a template. I hope this makes sense.

This is pretty easy to do. Create your template session and save it. Then go into Windows explorer and click on the properties for the ProTools session file and change it to "read only". Then when you open it in ProTools and attempt to save it, you will be forced to do a "save as" and give it a new name - i.e. the name of the song or whatever session you are trying to create. You can constantly go back and reload your template and then save it as a different name. You don't have to change the file to "read only" but it helps keep you from accidentally erasing your template.

You can use import session data for that .

That's true but the original post said that they did not want to do it that way.

It does not work as seamlessly as on Mac. Since PT was originally written on/for Mac, certain "features" simply do not operate properly/fully with XP...very few things, but this is one. Import Session, tho it might seem a PITA or clumsy, actually offers more than the current template workarounds. (Yes, I consider it a workaround on Mac and XP...I really wish Digi would wake up and realize a REAL template system would be incredibly beneficial...along with several other things...) IMO, whether on Mac or XP, I find Import Session Data to be preferable to the current "template" system/"feature" as Digi has it today. I believe I am not alone with this...

Here's my method, and it's really quite simple. Make a template folder with no audio files. In MAC, duplicate (Apple D) this folder, open the session from within the newly created duplicate folder, and go to town. Change folder/session names, of course. The original is ready to be duplicated again next time. In Windows, copy/paste to create the dup (i.e. no Apple D in Windows).

Good point Nikki. It would be nice if Digi created a real way to make and use templates

I posted a solution like EGS' some time ago, and found it to be much easier than that described in the manuals; for me it is quick and easy enough to be completely satisfactory. However, with the introduction of the fancier system of 'linking' to specific file locations, a new problem has arisen. I often want to include audio files in my templates (usually at least some test tones, often lots of other stuff). I used to just copy the folder, rename it and the pts file, check drive allocation, and I was done. This was handy for going to a different machine, too. Now, the copied session always refers to the audio files in my template, and I need to go through a convoluted process each time (rename the templates folder so the session can't find it to link to, then do a find and re-link files via a specified search path). A simple setting of 'Use files in session folder by default' would settle it, but I can find no such thing. Is this available? Thanks, and Happy New Year to all.