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Altium Extension Offline Install |work| -

How to Perform an Altium Extension Offline Installation In many professional environments—especially those involving high-security government contracts, aerospace, or defense—workstations are kept strictly offline (air-gapped) to prevent data leaks. This poses a challenge when you need to install essential Altium Designer extensions like the MCAD Co-Designer, Manufacturer Part Search, or various simulation tools.

If you can’t simply hit "update" within the software, here is the step-by-step guide to managing an Altium extension offline installation. Phase 1: Preparing the Offline Installation Files

Since your target machine has no internet access, you must first use a computer with an active connection to gather the necessary files.

The Altium Offline Installer: Ensure you have the main offline installer for your specific version of Altium Designer. Extensions are often version-specific.

Download the Extension Pack: Log in to the Altium Downloads page. Instead of the standard web installer, look for the Offline Installation Solution.

Local Storage: Copy the entire installation package (which includes the extensions folder) onto a secure USB drive or a dedicated internal network share that the air-gapped machine can reach. Phase 2: Configuring the Local Installation Service

Altium uses a "Local Installation Service" to mimic the cloud repository. You need to point your software to your local files instead of Altium’s servers. Launch Altium Designer.

Go to DXP > Admin > Extensions & Updates (or click the user icon at the top right and select Extensions & Updates).

Click the Configure button (the gear icon) in the top right corner.

Under the System Settings section, locate the Offline Installation option. Check the box for Use a local installation service.

In the path field, browse to the folder on your USB or network drive where you stored the offline repository files. Phase 3: Installing the Extension

Once the path is set, Altium will "see" the extensions available in that folder as if they were live on the web. Stay in the Extensions & Updates tab. Click on the Purchased or Installed sub-tab. altium extension offline install

You should now see a list of extensions available from your local source.

Click the Install (download icon) next to the specific extension you need (e.g., Draftsman or KiCad Importer).

Restart Altium: A progress bar will appear. Once finished, Altium will prompt you to restart the application to finalize the integration. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Version Mismatch: If the extension doesn't appear, verify that the offline package version matches your installed Altium Designer build (e.g., AD24 files won't work with AD23).

Missing Core Files: Extensions often have dependencies. If you manually copied only one folder, the installation might fail. Always copy the full "Repository" structure provided in the offline installer download.

License Validation: Even with extensions installed, remember that your Altium License must also be handled offline using a .alf license file, as the software cannot "phone home" to the Altium On-Demand license server. Why Install Offline?

Beyond security, offline installation ensures environment stability. By using a local repository, every designer on your team installs the exact same extension version, preventing compatibility issues during complex PCB hand-offs.

Guide to Offline Extension Installation in Altium Designer Installing extensions in Altium Designer typically relies on an active internet connection to reach Altium’s cloud repositories. However, for systems in high-security environments, behind strict firewalls, or without internet access, you can perform an Altium extension offline install using a dedicated offline installer package. 1. Acquire the Offline Installer Package

Because Altium does not provide a public direct link for full offline packages, you must request one through your account.

Sign In: Go to the Altium Downloads page and sign into your Altium account.

Request the Link: Click the "Need Offline Installer?" link. You will follow prompts to send a request to Altium. How to Perform an Altium Extension Offline Installation

Download: Once confirmed, the link on the Downloads page will change to a ZIP file download link (you may need to sign out and back in to see the update).

Transfer: Download the ZIP file (approx. 3GB) on an internet-connected machine and transfer it to the target offline computer via a flash drive or other media. 2. Configure Altium for Offline Installation

After unzipping the package on your local machine, you must point Altium Designer to this local folder instead of the cloud. Open Altium Designer and go to Preferences (Shortcut: TP). Navigate to System > Installation. Select the "Offline installation" radio button.

Use the browse button to select the path to your unzipped offline installation package folder. Click OK to save the changes. 3. Install Extensions from the Local Source

With the path set, the software will now treat your local folder as the primary repository.

Access Management: Go to the Extensions & Updates page (accessible from the user icon at the top right or the DXP menu).

Select Extensions: Switch to the Purchased tab. You should now see the extensions included in your offline package.

Execute Installation: Click the download/install icon on the desired extension. The installer will retrieve the files from your local drive rather than the cloud.

Restart: Altium Designer must be restarted for the new functionality to take effect. Important Considerations

Updates: The "Offline installation" setting does not automatically check for updates. To update an extension or the core platform, you must obtain a newer version of the Offline Installation package.

Licensing: Offline machines can be licensed using a Standalone license file (.alf) or through a Private License Service provided by an Altium On-Prem Enterprise Server. Method 2: Manual Offline Install (Using Altium’s Internal

Storage: Do not delete the unzipped folder after installation; Altium may need to access it again if you decide to add more features or extensions later.

Installing extensions in Altium Designer typically requires an internet connection to reach the Altium cloud repository. However, for machines in secure environments or with restricted access,

you can perform an offline installation by using a pre-downloaded Offline Installation Package Step 1: Obtain the Offline Installation Package

Before you can install anything on the offline machine, you must download the necessary files from a computer with internet access. : Log into your account on the Altium Downloads page Request the Installer : Look for the "Need Offline Installer?" link under the main download button. Download the ZIP

: After submitting a brief request, the link will change to a download for a

(this may require you to sign out and back in to refresh the page).

This ZIP contains the full software and a collection of extensions. Transfer Files

: Copy the unzipped folder to the offline machine using a flash drive or external storage. Step 2: Configure Altium Designer for Offline Install

Once the files are on your target machine, you must tell Altium Designer to look at the local folder instead of the cloud. Open Preferences DXP > Preferences (or the gear icon). Set Source : Navigate to System > Installation Enable Offline Mode : Select the "Offline installation" radio button. Path to Folder : Click the browse button and select the unzipped Offline Installation Package folder to save the changes. Step 3: Install the Extension

With the local source configured, you can now manage your extensions as if you were online.

Prerequisites

  1. Altium Designer License (Standalone or Network/Private Server License).
  2. Access to a machine with internet (to download the extensions).
  3. USB drive or internal network share (to transfer files to the offline PC).
  4. Same version of Altium Designer installed on both the online and offline machines (e.g., both on version 24.x.x).

Method 2: Manual Offline Install (Using Altium’s Internal Repository)

If the above method is unavailable, you can manually place the extensions.

Supported Extensions for Offline Install

Most Altium extensions support offline installation, including:

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