How-To: Get your Olympus recorder working in Windows 7 and Vista

Software

This article applies to the VN-120PC, VN-240PC, VN-480PC, VN-960PC, VN-2100PC, VN-3100PC, VN-3200PC and VN-4100PC digital audio recorders being used on 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

The problem with getting your Olympus digital recorders to work with newer versions of Windows is that Olympus doesn’t provide all of the drivers you need in one place. In the hopes that I can save other frustrated users 20 minutes of wasted time, I’ve provided download links and a short guide to getting your recorder working with versions of Windows newer than XP.

1) Install the original Digital Wave Player software (Olympus link | local mirror)

Installing the original software will not get your device working, but it provides the baseline for the updates that you downloaded.

2) Install the Digital Wave Player update (Olympus link | local mirror)

This will make a green and gray digital recorder icon appear in your System Tray. (32-bit Windows users stop here.)

3) Install the 64-bit Windows drivers (Olympus link | local mirror)

After you’ve completed this step, you should be able to connect your device and transfer the audio files to your computer.




If you found this post useful, please consider donating $2

 

(Optional) Install Audacity to edit your audio files.

Link. Windows 7 users should use the 1.3 beta version.

292 thoughts on “How-To: Get your Olympus recorder working in Windows 7 and Vista”

  1. You could try looking at the status of your recorder.

    Does your recorder have a hold switch? Mine does, and it needs to
    be released before connecting it to the computer, otherwise the DWP
    software grays out the transfer options.

    When my recorder is on hold, its screen is blank. When it’s
    released, the screen displays text and icons.

    Regards,

  2. Hey, thanks for replying. I’ve tried that, and it doesn’t show up no matter whether the recorder is on or off. Thanks though :)

  8. If anyone has the VN-480PC working under windows vista (32 bit), could they please let me know the driver file name they used and where they found it! Olympus only have a 64 bit version on their support website, and none of the advice given here works for me :(  TIA Brian.

  11. Thanks so much.  I have work files on my voice recorder that I couldn’t access to work with – now I can!
    $2 is a great deal. In fact I would have donated $5 if I’d have the option to increase the amount.  Happy October.  

  13. Thanks a lot .I almost threw away this recorder.Now i can make really good use of it. Thanks again.

  21. I’m on Windows 7 x64 and even after doing all the above along with Cenk’s suggestion, I still could not transfer files. I then created a short-cut of the Digital Wave Player app, and went into Properties and then the Compatibility tab. The app was set to run in Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode. I UNCHECKED that and then I was able to transfer files from my recorder to my PC.

  24. VN-960PC ;   I struggled to get things to work in Windows 7 (64bit) when I already had the software installed. I turned off the virus software and exited the already running recorder in the system tray, just clicking Exit.  I then ran all 3 steps, including the software install one to start.  All parts completed successfully. I plugged in the recorder and the transfer started.   Thank you.  You solved a major problem for me as the audio file was important.  Thanks again.

  26. I’m under win7 64 corporate. I did all the steps, my recorder was recognized but nothing happens when i clicked on transfer. I changed the compatibility from win xp32 to win7 AND (i think it is the trick), I changed the priority of the executable who was, by default, in high priority process to normal, then the transfer was able to operate.

  27. original software is not loading on my harddrive; when I click on exe file, it shows the Olympus tile asking which language but when I click on the language, it does not install.

  29. Thank you so much Cenk.  I  just used your advice and it worked.  Appreciate it. SH

  30. followed instructions, downloaded a sh*tload of files (as instruction).  My computer still does not “detect” the device.  thanks, I appreciate your trying!

  32. Cenk from Turkey, I will never meet you. but I love you. thats right I said I love you. thanks for posting this. Im so gay. but my little recorder works now

  35. Dear Cenk, Thank you very much.  For the past two months I have been trying to install the DWP.  None worked.  But your suggestion to go to CP,System, Deivce Manager worked beautifully.  Thanks a lot. Harit

  36. Dear Cenk, Even after ungrading the DWP,  as suggested by you, still I am unable to transfer the files from DWP to PC.  Nothing happens when I click the transfer button.  Any suggestions? Expecting your response to solve the problem.  Harim 

  39. Thank you Ryan.  I had a disc crash on my Windows 7 computer and lost all my prorams.  I was able to reiinstall DWP in 3-steps with the help of your instructions.  Thank You!

  40. I’ve downloaded all the files you have suggested.

    When I try to install the original Digital Wave Player software I am asked which language I want. I select UK, the box disappears and that’s it. Nothing else happens. I tried to run the update but it says the original Digital Wave Player software hasn’t been installed!

    I have Windows 7 and a VN-2100PC.

    What do you suggest?

  41. Incredibly helpful!  You saved me a ton of time.  I tried to donate but the “Donate” button does not work.

    Thanks so much!

  42. Can’t get this to work on Windows 8 – it kept on saying there was a problem with the installation of Digital Wave.  If you ever do an update, pls get in touch, will happily donate!

  43. none of this works. I had to buy a new computer and it is running windows 8- no options seems to work, thanks anyway. I am pissed because nothing I have is compatible with this stupid windows 8! I absolutely hate it!!!

  44. I contacted Olympus by email through their UK website. Within two hours their helpdesk sent me links to download updated versions of Digital Wave, plus link to software for 64-bit systems and driver for the DVR. It all worked fine, I can download now.

  45. Your post has saved me a lo of time (and frustration!). It works perfectly now. Thank you so much for this!  

  46. Thank you so so much it is finally working now :-) Just one thing: ONLY the english Version of step one is working! i first tried it in german und got frustraited.

  47. Rian,

    I am as straight as they come BUT I love you too. I base all my instructions and typing for my business off the VN2100, I own a bunch of them. My 32 Bit computer died and of course the wave player didn’t work on my new Windows 7 Op system. I Googled the question, up came your page and it worked like a charm!

    Thank God for people like you.

    Mike

  48. You are amazing!!! I love you!!!!! Thank you so much for your help. Without your instruction, the instruction above is meaningless. My recorder works, now. Thank you!!!! You are a life saver!!!

  49. Thank you so much! 
    I have been searching and searching trying to get my VN-960PC working with 32-bit Windows 8, but without any luck.  I had even done all of the previous steps, but still it would not work.  Then I found your post and when right-clicking where it said “digital voice recorder” instead of selecting “troubleshoot”, which I had done countless times and which does search online for a driver, but does NOT find one.  Your post gave me the idea to instead click properties—-> “hardware” tab—->properties—>change settings—>update driver.  The system then asked for a local driver or to search online, I chose online, it searched, and it FOUND IT!  Now it works!  YOUR AWESOME!

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