how to open a zxp file on windows?

A ZXP file is an Adobe extension package. Open one with Adobe's Creative Cloud or Anastasiy's Extension Manager. If that doesn't work, use Anastasiy's Extension Manager.

This article explains what ZXP files are used for and how to open one on your computer.

A file with the ZXP file extension is an Adobe extension package that contains little bits of software that adds functionality to an Adobe software product.

ZXP files are really just compressed ZIP files. They replace the older Macromedia extension plugin format (.MXP files) and improve on it by supporting a digital signature to identify the publisher of the extension.

Adobe Extension Manager version CS5.5 and higher supports ZXP files, while prior versions can use the original MXP format. Creative Cloud 2015 and newer requires the Creative Cloud desktop program in order to use ZXP files.

Third-party programs like Adobe ZXPInstaller and ZXP Installer can install these files, too. Another, Anastasiy's Extension Manager, can install, remove, and update ZXP files.

Since these package files are in the ZIP archive format, you can also open them with a zip/unzip tool like 7-Zip. Doing this won't let you use it with an Adobe program, but it will let you see the different files and folders that make up the file.

You don't really need to convert ZXP to ZIP because you can just rename the file extension from .ZXP to .ZIP. Doing this will let you open the file in any file unzip tool that supports the ZIP format.

If you need to do the opposite and convert the older MXP format to ZXP, use the Tools > Convert MXP extension to ZXP menu option in Adobe Extension Manager CS6.

If the file doesn't open on your computer, it's possible you don't have the right Adobe program necessary for using it. If the extension has other files and folders associated with it, open CSXS and then manifest.xml inside that folder.

Within the XML file is a section surrounded by a "HostList" tag. See which Adobe programs are listed there; those are the only ones that can use that particular ZXP file.

Common places where you might find ZXP files in Windows include:

On macOS, ZXP files are often found in these folders:

Even though their file extensions look similar, ZXP files have nothing to do with ZPS files, which are Zebra Portable Safe files used with a program called ZPS Explorer.

• rename your .zxp file to .zip.
• unzip the zip file.
• drag that unzipped folder into the folder. C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CEP\extensions\
• Create a registry entry "PlayerDebugMode" with String value 1 in. HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Software/Adobe/CSXS.5.

You can download the installer here: http://aescripts.com/learn/zxp-installer/

It's very easy to use!

To install a ZXP or UXP, simply drag the .zxp or .ccx file onto the ZXP installer main window.

The ZXP/UXP installer is able to reset the preferences for the extension. Simply select the extension and choose 'Reset Preferences' from the More menu:

The ZXP/UXP installer is able to export the logs for the extension. Simply select the extension from the list and choose 'Export Logs' from the More menu.

Here are some of the errors that you might see and what you can do about them.

If your Adobe applications are not installed at their default locations, our desktop applications will not be able to detect them.The ZXP/UXP Installer doesn't actually need to know which Adobe software is installed on your computer as extensions are installed in a specific location.We recommend you use the aescripts + aeplugins manager app instead

Our manager and ZXP/UXP Installer use an installation tool packaged in Adobe's Creative Cloud application named UPIA.

Please make sure that you keep the Creative Cloud application up-to-date or UPIA may not function properly, which may cause our applications to freeze.

Make sure that you're not dragging the .zxp or .ccx file from within a zip: if it's in a zip, then unzip everything onto your desktop and drag the .zxp  or .ccx file from there.

You can also use the menu item File > Open to open a .zxp or .ccx file.

Make sure you're using the latest version of our ZXP/UXP Installer.When the compatibility warning appears, click the Install button anyway to see if the installation succeeds.If not, try to install the extension for the current user only:- open the settings of the ZXP/UXP Installer,- tick the "Install for current user only” checkbox,- click OKInstall the extension again, after installation the setting can be deactivated.

Our installer may try to install a Windows redistributable package that is in fact already installed on your machine.Please download and install the following packages from this page: https://updates.aescripts.com/- first install “aescripts + aeplugins components.msi”,- then “ZXP Installer (update).msi”the application should start after the second installer has finished running

If the extension is installed but wont open or opens with a blank window, please see this FAQ.

On both Mac and Windows, you may be asked to enter your session password to allow the ZXP/UXP Installer to perform changes to your system. If you correctly entered your password but still see this error, please open a support ticket.

The .zxp file might be corrupted and you should download it again before attempting to install it. If this error persists, please open a support ticket.

The extensions purchased from this website are signed and timestamped, however, our installer may fail to verify the signature if it cannot properly access the Internet. Verify first that this error is not caused by your firewall or an intermittent Internet connection failure.

If Adobe's Extension Manager CC is installed on your system, this may interfere with our ZXP/UXP Installer. In Extension Manager CC go to the "Tools"->"Preferences" menu item, and in the settings page uncheck "Allow Extension Manager to access Internet". You should now be able to install the extension using the ZXP/UXP Installer.

If you are sure that your CC applications are properly installed and licensed, you most likely still have the old Extension Manager CC installed. Extension Manager CC is discontinued by Adobe, is not compatible with CC2015 anymore and can prevent the ZXP/UXP Installer from doing its work. Hence, you need to uninstall it. To uninstall it, navigate in the Creative Cloud desktop app to the "Previous Versions" section (1), choose "uninstall" for Extension Manager CC (2) and MAKE SURE TO ALSO REMOVE THE APP PREFERENCES (3).

One customer also reported that he could solve the issue by logout and login again from the Creative Cloud desktop application. For more details see this support forum discussion.

Some .zxp are compatible with only certain versions of a CC applications. Make sure you are trying to install the .zxp file compatible with your installed version of the CC application.

Manual installation (the last resort!)

This way to install .zxp extensions should normally only be used by extension developers and is offered here as a last resort: should the ZXP/UXP Installer fail to install an extension, you should report this to help us enhance the installer.