Plugin Directory

[ralphsomma]

Is there a "best practices" directory where plugins should be installed for Lightroom Classic CC on a Windows computer?

For instance, the "Show Focus Points" plugin recommends installing the plug-in at C:\Users\yourUserName\Plugins to avoid auto-updater problems later.

Is this a good idea for all LR plug-ins or is the destination different for each plug-in?

[johnrellis]

Adobe has never provided official guidance on where to place plugins.

You can place the plugins in the Modules subfolder of the Lightroom presets folder, and they will be automatically added to LR and loaded each time LR starts.  To find the LR presets folder, do the menu command Preferences > Presets > Show Lightroom Presets Folder.  The Modules folder is not cleared when you update or upgrade to new versions.

Many (perhaps most) people create a separate "plugins" folder that is easier for them to find.  In this case, when you want to add a plugin, you have to do File > Plug-in Manager and click Add.

[ralphsomma]

Thanks for the quick reply.

I notice when upgrading to Lightroom Classic CC several default plugins were installed: Adobe Stock, Canon/Nikon Tether, Facebook, Flickr and placed in the same folder as LR Classic:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic CC\

Also, X-Rite recommends placing the LR Color Check Passport plugin at the following location:
C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Modules

[johnrellis]

I notice when upgrading to Lightroom Classic CC several default plugins were installed: Adobe Stock, Canon/Nikon Tether, Facebook, Flickr and placed in the same folder as LR Classic:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic CC\

That's where the plugins built-in to LR are placed.  Don't place your plugins there, since they will disappear when you upgrade to a new major version.

Also, X-Rite recommends placing the LR Color Check Passport plugin at the following location:

C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Modules

That's the default LR presets folder (unless you have the option Preferences > Presets > Store Presets With This Catalog checked).  It's not necessary to put your plugins there (see my previous reply).

[ralphsomma]

Before reading the recommendation of the XRite website, I copied the XRite plugin from my old version of LR and placed it in the same location where LR Classic CC placed the default plugins I mentioned:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Lightroom Classic CC\

Interestingly, when I clicked on the "Show Lightroom Presets Folder" button in LR CLassic Preferences menu, I now also see that XRite Plugin in the XRite recommended location: C:\Users\UserName\ApData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom\Modules with the same folder creation date (today) that appears in the folder where I copied it to.

[john beardsworth]

I like keeping them on Dropbox or another cloud folder. It's easier if you get a new computer or have a second one.

[ralphsomma]

OK. So I copied the Instagram and 500px plugins (from the location I originally installed them with the LR program files) to the Lightroom Modules folder. I restarted LR and voila! - there they are under Publish Services in the Library Module! No need to manually add the plugins. And they will be there in future updates. Thanks again.