After Effects Installation Paths
If using another version of After Effects, replace "2024" with your version.
Windows
Presets
User Presets:\Documents\Adobe\After Effects 2024\User Presets
All user presets (presets that you made or downloaded from others) should be saved to and imported here.
Files that end in .ffx go here.
Default Presets:C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024\Support Files\Presets
This location is reserved for default presets. Altering this location is not recommended unless for a specific reason.
Plugins
Local:C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024\Support Files\Plug-ins
Unique to that particular version of After Effects.
Some plugins may also be installed to
\Effects
Common:C:\Program Files\Adobe\Common\Plug-ins\7.0\MediaCore
Typically reserved for plugins that are compatible with both After Effects and Premiere, visible in all versions.
Files that end in .aex go here.
Extensions
System:C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions
User:C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\CEP\extensions
(if you don't have administrator).
Folders that consist of multiple folders and files (CSXS, META-INF, etc.) go here.
Scripts
For dockable scripts:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024\Support Files\Scripts\ScriptUI Panels
For non-dockable scripts:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects 2024\Support Files\Scripts
Most scripts are dockable, it's unlikely that you'll ever use an undockable script unless you're a developer.
Files that end in .jsx or .jsxbin go here.
MacOS
Presets
User Presets:
~/Documents/Adobe/After Effects 2024/User Presets
All user presets should be saved to and imported here.
Files that end in .ffx go here.
Default Presets:
/Applications/Adobe After Effects 2024/Presets
This location is reserved for default presets. Altering this location is not recommended unless for a specific reason.
Plugins
Local:
/Applications/Adobe After Effects 2024/Plug-ins/
Unique to that particular version of After Effects.
Some plugins may also be installed to
/Effects
Common:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Plug-ins/7.0/MediaCore
Typically reserved for plugins that are compatible with both After Effects and Premiere, visible in all versions.
Files that end in .plugin go here.
Extensions
System:
/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions
User:
/Users/<user>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions
~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/CEP/extensions
Folders that consist of multiple folders and files (CSXS, META-INF, etc..) go here.
Scripts
For dockable scripts:
/Applications/Adobe After Effects 2024/Scripts/ScriptUI Panels
For non-dockable scripts:
/Applications/Adobe After Effects 2024/Scripts
Most scripts are dockable, it's unlikely that you'll ever install an undockable script unless you're a developer.
Files that end in .jsx or .jsxbin go here.