Manage plugins in RPA Desktop Design Studio

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 3 minutes to read

    • Install, update, or remove plugins to design automations while you're creating unattended and attended automation projects in RPA Desktop Design Studio.

    Before you begin

    Role required: none

    About this task

    An RPA plugin is a bundle of Windows library files that are consumed by the RPA Desktop Design Studio application. These plugins extend the capability of the Robotic Process Automation (RPA) product. For instance, the Universal App Connector plugin enables the RPA application to automate tasks on a Google Chrome browser.

    Internet Explorer, Essential Connectors, Essential Toolkit, and Universal App Connector plugins are available in the RPA Desktop Design Studio project by default.

    Install, update, or remove all plugins from a RPA Desktop Design Studio project from the Plugin manager under the View tab or the Plugins node under Project Explorer in the RPA Desktop Design Studio.

    The following table lists the RPA plugins and their descriptions.
    Table 1. RPA plugins
    Plugin Name Description
    Internet Explorer A connector that enables automating web applications inside Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    For more information about the IE connector, see IE connector.
    SSH Connector for interacting with server via Secure Shell (SSH).

    For more information about the SSH connector, see Secure Shell (SSH) connector.
    Essential Toolkit An essential toolkit for developing unattended and attended projects.
    FTP Connector to transfer files between a client and server on a network.

    For more information about the FTP connector, see FTP.
    Windows Enables automation of Windows desktop applications.

    For more information about the Windows connector, see Windows connector.
    Barcode Reader Provides barcode or QR code reading components.

    For more information about the Barcode connector, see Use the ReadBarcode component.
    Universal App Connector Connector for interacting with Google Chrome, Edge, Java, and Windows based applications.

    For more information about the Universal App connector, see Universal app connector.
    Java Connector for interacting with Java based applications.

    For more information about the Java connector, see Configure the Java connector.
    Essential Connectors An essential set of connectors for developing unattended and attended projects.
    Scripting A connector that enables developers to code in Python, VB.NET, C#, and Javascript languages.

    For more information about the C#, VB.NET, and Javascript connectors, see Configure the Python connector, Configure the C#.Net connector, Configure the JavaScript connector, and Configure the VB.Net connector.
    Terminal (Mainframe) Connector that interacts with Mainframe applications through IBM Personal Communications (PCOMM) and Rocket BlueZone emulators.

    For more information about the Terminal connector, see Configure the Terminal connector.
    Chromium A connector that enables automating web applications inside Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

    For more information about the Chromium connector, see Chromium connector.
    SAP Connector for interacting with SAP applications.

    For more information about the SAP connector, see Configure the SAP connector.

    Procedure

    1. To navigate to the Plugins Manager window to the RPA Desktop Design Studio project, do either of the steps.
      • Navigate to View > Plugin manager.
      • Right-click Plugins in the Project Explorer pane and select Add Plugin.
      The Available tab shows the plugins that you can install and the Installed tab shows the plugins that are available to the current RPA Desktop Design Studio project.
    2. To add a plugin, on the Plugins Manager window, select the Available tab.
    3. Select the plugin you want to add.
      Tip:
      To find the plugin, enter the name of the plugin in the Filter field.
    4. Select ADD.
      By default, the RPA Desktop Design Studio displays the latest version of the plugin. To view the previous versions, select the drop-down.
      The plugin is added to the current RPA Desktop Design Studio project and appears under the INSTALLED tab of the Plugins Manager window.
    5. Select OK.
    6. Optional: To add more plugins, repeat the procedure.
    7. Perform the following steps for more plugin options.
      ActionSteps
      Update a plugin version
      1. Open the Plugins Manager window.
      2. Select the AVAILABLE or INSTALLED tab.
      3. Select the plugin.
      4. Select UPDATE.
      5. Select OK.
      6. Save, close and reopen the project to load the updated plugins to the current project.
      Remove a plugin
      1. Open the Plugins Manager window.
      2. Select the AVAILABLE or INSTALLED tab.
      3. Select the plugin and select REMOVE.
      4. Select Yes.
      5. Select OK.

      The plugin is no longer available to the current RPA Desktop Design Studio project and removed from the INSTALLED tab.