After Effects installation paths
If using an older version of After Effects, replace any mention of "2024" to match your version.
WINDOWS
PRESETS
User Presets: %USERPROFILE%\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.
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.
Files that end in .ffx
go here.
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
or 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.
Single files that end in .jsx
or .jsxbin
go here.
MAC
PRESETS
User Presets: ~/Documents/Adobe/After Effects 2024/User Presets
All user presets (presets made by you or downloaded from others) should be saved to and imported 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.
Files that end in .ffx
go here.
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
or ~/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.
Single files that end in .jsx
or .jsxbin
go here.