---
title: Plugins directory
description: The default location of the plugins directory depends on which package you install: Directory layout of .tar.gz archives, Directory layout of Windows...
url: https://www.elastic.co/docs/reference/elasticsearch/plugins/_plugins_directory
products:
  - Elasticsearch
applies_to:
  - Self-managed Elastic deployments: Generally available
---

# Plugins directory
The default location of the `plugins` directory depends on which package you install:
- [Directory layout of `.tar.gz` archives](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed/install-elasticsearch-from-archive-on-linux-macos#targz-layout)
- [Directory layout of Windows `.zip` archives](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed/install-elasticsearch-with-zip-on-windows#windows-layout)
- [Directory layout of Debian package](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed/install-elasticsearch-with-debian-package#deb-layout)
- [Directory layout of RPM](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/deploy/self-managed/install-elasticsearch-with-rpm#rpm-layout)