Ensure the user has write access to C:\ProgramData\Altium and C:\Program Files\Altium .
Extensions are often version-specific. If your online machine is running Altium 24 and your offline machine is on Altium 23, the extension files may not initialize or could cause software instability. Always match your build numbers.
Once you have the extension files (usually a folder containing .zip files and a .manifest file): Transfer the downloaded extension files onto a USB drive.
If you know the extension is part of your license but it is not appearing, you can temporarily switch the installation source back to the "Global Installation Service" . Go to Preferences -> System -> Installation and change the source setting. After the list refreshes online and you confirm the extension is indeed available, you can switch back to the "Offline Installation" path to perform the installation from your local source. altium extension offline install
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 , Manufacturer Part Search , or various simulation tools.
The team shipped the board on schedule—and in the project postmortem, the offline-install checklist became a required artifact for future external extensions, stopping the next emergency from turning into a fire drill.
Click the download/install icon next to the desired extension (e.g., or MCAD CoDesigner ). Restart Altium Designer to finalize the integration. Key Notes: Ensure the user has write access to C:\ProgramData\Altium
On a server with controlled internet access, open the server management console.
Browse here to find available extensions. Since you are pointed to the offline source, Altium will list what is included in that local package.
The server will unpack and host these extensions locally for your network. Step 4: Configure Altium Designer to Connect Locally Open Altium Designer on an offline workstation. Go to > Preferences > System > Installation Management . Uncheck the option to connect to the Altium Cloud Vault . Always match your build numbers
Go to your user profile icon (top right) and select Extensions and Updates . Select Extensions:
With the local path set, you can now manage extensions without an active internet connection.
Because you pointed the installation source to your local folder, Altium will now list the extensions available within that offline package.
If the server is completely air-gapped, download the server update packages externally and manually import them into the server infrastructure. Step 2: Connect Workstations to the Internal Server