Guide

How to install ZXP extensions on Mac and Windows

A .zxp file is an extension for Adobe Creative Cloud apps: a panel for After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro or InDesign. Creative Cloud can't open it with a double-click, so you need one extra step. Here are two ways to do it: an app that does it for you, or Adobe's own installer from the command line.

.zxp or .ccx?

.zxp is the classic format for extension panels, built with Adobe's CEP technology. It works in After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign and, with some limits, Photoshop.

.ccx is the newer format for UXP plugins, used mostly by Photoshop and InDesign. A .ccx file usually installs with a double-click, through the Creative Cloud app. If an extension comes in both formats, prefer .ccx for Photoshop.

Method 1: ZXP Manager (easiest)

ZXP Manager is a free, open source app for Apple Silicon Macs and Windows. It uses the same installer that comes with Creative Cloud, so nothing is patched or hacked.

1. Download ZXP Manager and open it. The first time, your computer asks you to confirm: it takes a few seconds and happens only once.
2. Drag the .zxp (or .ccx) file onto the window, or click + and choose it.
3. Check the preview: name, version and the Adobe apps it works with. Click Install.
4. Restart the Adobe app. The extension is ready.

The same window lists everything you have installed, grouped by app, and removes an extension with one click.

Get ZXP Manager, free

Method 2: Adobe's installer from the command line

Creative Cloud includes a command-line tool, the Unified Plugin Installer Agent. It's what ZXP Manager uses behind the scenes, and you can run it yourself: on Mac in the Terminal app, on Windows in Command Prompt. Copy a command, change the part in quotes at the end, and press Enter.

Install an extension

Replace the path at the end with the location of your file. On Mac you can delete the example path, keeping the space before it, and drag the file into the Terminal window to paste its path.

macOS

"/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Desktop Common/RemoteComponents/UPI/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent" --install "/path/to/extension.zxp"

Windows

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\RemoteComponents\UPI\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe" /install "C:\path\to\extension.zxp"

See what's installed

This lists every extension, grouped by Adobe app. Note the exact name of the one you want to remove.

macOS

"/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Desktop Common/RemoteComponents/UPI/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent" --list all

Windows

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\RemoteComponents\UPI\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe" /list all

Remove an extension

Replace Extension Name with the name shown by the list command, keeping the quotes.

macOS

"/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Desktop Common/RemoteComponents/UPI/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.app/Contents/MacOS/UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent" --remove "Extension Name"

Windows

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Adobe Desktop Common\RemoteComponents\UPI\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent\UnifiedPluginInstallerAgent.exe" /remove "Extension Name"

If it worked, the last line reads Removal Successful for extension followed by the name. Quit and reopen the Adobe app to see the change.

Where to find the extension after installing

• After Effects, Premiere Pro, Illustrator, InDesign: Window → Extensions.
• Photoshop: classic .zxp panels are under Window → Extensions. UXP plugins (.ccx) are in the Plugins menu.

Always restart the Adobe app after installing or removing an extension.

Common problems

The panel doesn't show up in Photoshop on an Apple Silicon Mac

On M-series Macs, Photoshop loads classic .zxp panels only when it runs with Rosetta. In Finder, select Photoshop in Applications, choose File → Get Info and turn on Open using Rosetta, then restart Photoshop. If the extension also comes as a .ccx file, install that one instead: it works natively.

"The extension could not be loaded because it was not properly signed"

Adobe apps refuse .zxp files that aren't signed by their developer. The file may have been modified, or it may be a development build. Ask the developer for a signed version.

The installer says the extension isn't compatible

Each extension lists the apps and versions it supports. ZXP Manager shows them in its preview before installing. If your app is missing or too old, check for a newer version of the extension.

Older extension managers don't open on my Mac

Some popular managers are built for Intel Macs only and need Rosetta, or no longer work on recent macOS versions. ZXP Manager runs natively on Apple Silicon.

Last updated: 30 October 2026. Adobe, Creative Cloud, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and InDesign are trademarks of Adobe Inc. This guide is independent and not affiliated with Adobe.