Altium Designer offline extension installation feature allows you to manage software functionality on machines without internet access by using a pre-downloaded Offline Installation Package Key Features of Offline Extension Management Customizable Core & Optional Features : Even in offline mode, you can modify the Core Feature Set

or install new optional extensions, such as specialized importers/exporters or schematic generation tools, provided they are included in your downloaded package. Local Repository Source

: Instead of connecting to the cloud-based Altium Repository, you configure the software to point to a local directory containing the unzipped offline installer files. Management via Preferences : You can switch the installation source by navigating to Preferences Installation and selecting the Offline installation radio button. Independent Updates

: Updates for offline environments require a new copy of the latest Offline Installation package

, as the software will not automatically check for updates when this mode is active. Support for Restricted Environments

: This feature is specifically designed for users behind strict firewalls or on production computers with zero network connectivity. How to Access the Offline Installer

The offline installer is not provided by default on the standard downloads page. To obtain it: Altium Account on the downloads page. Locate and click the "Need Offline Installer?"

Follow the prompts to submit a request; once approved, a download link for a large ZIP file (containing the installer and extensions) will be provided. manually configure the local path for your offline extensions? Installing & Managing Altium Designer

Installing Altium Designer extensions in an offline environment—such as on a secure machine or one behind a strict firewall—requires the use of an Offline Installation Package. This package is a standalone ZIP archive that contains the core software and all necessary extension files, allowing you to bypass the standard cloud-based installation. Step 1: Obtain the Offline Installer

You cannot download the offline installer directly without a specific request.

Sign In: Log into your AltiumLive account on the Downloads page.

Request Access: Look for the "Need Offline Installer?" link below the main download button. You will be prompted to provide a reason for the request (e.g., security restrictions).

Download: Once approved, the link 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 on an internet-connected machine and transfer it to the target offline computer via a USB drive. Step 2: Configure Altium for Offline Installation

After unzipping the package on your offline PC, you must tell Altium Designer to look at the local folder instead of the cloud. Go to DXP > Preferences (or click the gear icon). Navigate to System > Installation. Select the radio button for Offline installation.

Use the browse button to select the folder where you unzipped the offline installation package. Step 3: Install Extensions

With the source set to the local folder, you can manage extensions through the standard interface.

Extensions & Updates: Go to the Extensions & Updates page (from the home page or the DXP/System menu).

Purchased Tab: Click the Purchased tab to see a list of available extensions. Because you are pointed to the offline folder, the software will "see" these as available for install.

Install: Click the download icon on the desired extension. Once complete, you must restart Altium Designer to register the new functionality. Alternative: Altium Infrastructure Server

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.

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.

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.

Mastering Altium Extension Offline Install: A Complete Guide for Isolated Workstations

In the world of high-speed PCB design, Altium Designer stands as a powerhouse. Its true strength, however, comes not just from the base installation but from its vast ecosystem of extensions—ranging from advanced layer stack managers and simulation tools to FPGA logic and vault connectivity.

But what happens when your design workstation lives on an isolated network? What if you work in a defense lab, a remote field office, or a facility with strict air-gap policies where live internet access is forbidden?

You need the Altium Extension Offline Install method.

This article provides a deep dive into why offline installation is critical, the step-by-step process to download and transfer extensions, common pitfalls, and how to manage updates for a disconnected fleet of Altium workstations.

The Repository Downloader Tool

Altium provides a standalone utility called ExtensionDownloader.exe (located in the \Extras\OfflineInstallation folder of the Altium installation media).

Step-by-step for IT admins:

On the connected machine, locate ExtensionDownloader.exe.
Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Run the tool to mirror the repository:
```
ExtensionDownloader.exe -mirror "D:\Local_Altium_Mirror" -includeAll
```
This downloads EVERY available extension for your version. Expect 5-15GB.
Transfer the Local_Altium_Mirror folder to the offline network.
On each offline workstation, configure Altium to point to the local mirror:
- Go to Extensions & Updates > Settings.
- Change the "Repository URL" from https://live.altium.com to file:///X:/Local_Altium_Mirror (where X: is the network share path).
Now, users can use the standard "Install" button, but Altium fetches data locally.

Managing Licenses with Offline Extensions

A critical note: Some premium extensions (e.g., PDN Analyzer, Signal Integrity) require separate license activation. An offline extension install does not automatically activate the license.

You must also perform an offline license activation via the Altium License Management tool. Download a .alf license file from the Altium Licensing Portal (using a connected machine), transfer it via USB, and manually add it in Extensions & Updates > License Management > Add Standalone License File.

2. File Structure and Integration

Once the user has the files (usually a collection of .zip archives or an internal InstalledCheck folder structure), the installation method varies depending on the file type:

Process for Standard Extensions: Users must navigate to the Installed tab, select Install from file... from the menu, and point the software to the .zip or .dll file. This is functional but feels like a legacy feature tucked away in a corner of the UI.
Process for Manufacturer Part Searches (MPS): This is the most frustrating aspect. Installing the Manufacturer Part Search extension offline often fails because the installation package is split into a complex folder hierarchy that expects to be in a specific temporary directory. Without the online updater, dependencies sometimes fail to resolve, leaving the user with a "half-installed" extension that crashes the software.

Step 3 – Paste on Offline PC

Paste into the same path on the offline machine.
Ensure the Altium Designer version matches exactly.

Mastering Altium Extension Offline Install: A Complete Guide for Isolated Workstations

The Repository Downloader Tool

Managing Licenses with Offline Extensions

2. File Structure and Integration

Step 3 – Paste on Offline PC

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