Satvrn

Switching After Effects Version Guide ​

This is a quick, comprehensive guide on how to swap After Effects versions efficiently. This guide includes how to transfer your presets, plugins and scripts.

Note that if you are simply updating to the same year, just a newer build (e.g 25.1 → 25.2), it will automatically override your settings and transfer everything by itself.

This is not relevant for MacKed or GenP users.

This guide only applies if you are swapping years (e.g 2024 → 2025).

You can always have two versions of After Effects installed at the same time. It's unnecessary to uninstall one then install the other nor is this recommended in case of user error. Instead, install the version you’d like to switch to, make sure everything is working perfectly, and if everything checks out then uninstall your previous version.

Now, let’s get started. ​

I will use 2024 → 2025 as an example in this guide, but change it to your versions if you aren’t doing the same.

Common Plugins

If a plugin is located under your Common folder, it will show up under all installed After Effects versions and in this case you don’t have to worry about reinstalling or transferring them. Plugins such as Red Giant and Sapphire install to common. You do not have to worry about plugins in the following folders.

Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Common\Plug-ins\7.0\MediaCore

Mac: Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common/Plug-ins/7.0/MediaCore

Local Plugins

Plugins that are located in this location will only be visible to that after effects version, which in this case you’ll have to copy the files over into your new folder. Plugins like Twitch and Deep Glow (.aex/.plugin files) are often installed here.

Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe After Effects [year]\Support Files\Plug-ins

Mac: /Applications/Adobe After Effects [year]/Plug-ins/

PS: Check the “effects” sub-folder too.

  1. Create a new folder anywhere on your computer. I recommend placing it on your Desktop for easy access.

  2. Navigate to the folder mentioned above.

    • Copy everything except:
      • (AdobePSL)
      • Cineware by Maxon
      • Effects
      • Extensions
      • Format
      • Keyframe
    • Paste the files on the folder you created on your desktop

  3. Move them to your new version of After Effects. Same location, different year, and you're done!

Presets For presets, just copy and paste them over into your new folder the same exact way. Copy them to your desktop, then place them into your new After Effects folder.

Documents\Adobe\After Effects [year]/User Presets Swap [year] to new year.

As far as scripts and extensions go, the concept remains the same. If a location mentions a year, it will need to be moved to new year, if it does not, then it will show up in your new software just fine. This varies on the location, you can find a list here.