# Installing a Plugin

A plugin generally comes as a .NET assembly (.dll) or within a ZIP file (if in a ZIP file, it must first be extracted).

1. Copy the plugin to the ViDi plugins folder: C:\Program Files\Cognex\ViDi Suite\3.1\plugins

   Ensure that you copy all of the files associated with the plugin to the plugins folder; otherwise the plugin could fail to load.

2. Within the ViDi IDE, from the Plugins menu, select Manage Plugins.

3. This will launch the Plugin Manager dialog, where you can add and/or remove plugins.

4. To add a plugin, press the Add button and then navigate to the plugins folder and select the plugin you want to add.