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FreddyNoel
Known Participant
September 11, 2025
Answered

Restore installed plugins & extensions in Photoshop

  • September 11, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 224 views
After the unfortunate situation with the mixed-up emails, I recently found out that all my plugins, filters, and actions have disappeared from my Photoshop. However all my Presets are still ipresent for Lightroom Classic. Is there any way I can retrieve my plugins from a hidden folder buried somewhere on my hard drive? Thanks.
    Correct answer Trevor.Dennis

    Hi Freddy.   You could try searching your drives for *.8bf files  That will find a lot of plugins.  

    In some cases — especially older plug-ins — you can simply move the .8bf file to appropriate location.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/nz/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html

     

    More complex plugins will need installing.

     

    1 reply

    Sameer K
    Community Manager
    Sameer KCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 11, 2025

    Hey, @FreddyNoel. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll help you figure this out. 

     

    3rd-party plugin developers have different methods and locations they installing the plugins. 

    As your post is likely moved from another community, I don't know what Operating system you are working on.

     

    Check the content here, it lists the various folder locations you can install plugins at: https://adobe.ly/3IhG36V

     

    I hope this helps. Thanks!
    Sameer K
    (Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

    F
    FreddyNoelAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 11, 2025

    Hi, @Sameer K , thank you for your quick reply. I use the Mac OS system. Following the link and the instructions, sadly, none of my previous plugins remain in the dedicated folders.

    I'll have to reinstall the most important ones.

    Best Wishes
    Trevor.Dennis
    Community Expert
    Trevor.DennisCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 11, 2025

    Hi Freddy.   You could try searching your drives for *.8bf files  That will find a lot of plugins.  

    In some cases — especially older plug-ins — you can simply move the .8bf file to appropriate location.

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/nz/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html

     

    More complex plugins will need installing.

     

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