Datamosh 2 installs as a plugin folder inside After Effects, not as a standalone program
Datamosh 2 is a third-party plugin that creates digital glitch and data corruption effects. It does not install like regular software — instead, you place its folder in a specific location on your computer, then restart After Effects so the program recognizes it. The process takes about five minutes and works the same way on Windows and Mac, though the folder paths differ.
You will need the plugin file itself (usually a .zip download from the developer or a reseller), After Effects already installed on your computer, and administrator access to your user account. If you have never installed an After Effects plugin before, the steps below walk you through the exact folder locations.
Key Takeaways
- Datamosh 2 goes into the Plugins folder inside your After Effects installation, not into a general Programs folder.
- On Windows, the path is typically Program Files > Adobe > Adobe After Effects [version] > Support Files > Plugins; on Mac, it is Applications > Adobe After Effects [version] > Plugins.
- You must fully close After Effects before moving the plugin folder, then restart the program for it to appear in the Effects menu.
- If Datamosh 2 does not show up after restart, check that the folder name matches what the developer specifies and that you placed it in the correct Plugins directory.
Finding and preparing the Datamosh 2 files
Download Datamosh 2 from the official source — either the developer's website or an authorized reseller. The file usually arrives as a .zip archive. Extract (unzip) it to a temporary location on your desktop or Downloads folder so you can see what is inside.
Inside the extracted folder, you should see a plugin file with a name like "Datamosh2.plugin" or "Datamosh2.8bx" depending on your operating system. Some versions also include a ReadMe file with installation notes specific to your version. Read any included instructions first, as some versions may have extra steps.
Locating your After Effects Plugins folder on Windows
Open File Explorer and navigate to your C: drive (or whichever drive Windows is installed on). Go to Program Files > Adobe > Adobe After Effects [your version number] > Support Files > Plugins. The version number appears as a year, like "2024" or "2023".
If you have multiple versions of After Effects installed, you will see multiple Adobe After Effects folders. Install Datamosh 2 in each version you plan to use it in. If you cannot find the Plugins folder, make sure you are looking in Program Files and not Program Files (x86) — After Effects typically installs in the 64-bit Program Files location.
Locating your After Effects Plugins folder on Mac
Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Find the Adobe After Effects folder (labeled with the year, like "Adobe After Effects 2024"). Right-click it and select "Show Package Contents". Navigate to Contents > Mac OS > Plugins.
If you do not see "Show Package Contents" when you right-click, try holding Control while clicking instead. Some Mac versions require this. Once you are in the Plugins folder, you are ready to move the Datamosh 2 folder there.
Moving the Datamosh 2 folder into Plugins
Before you move anything, close After Effects completely. Do not just minimize it — fully quit the program. This prevents file conflicts and ensures After Effects will properly recognize the new plugin when you restart it.
Drag the Datamosh 2 folder (the one you extracted earlier) into the Plugins folder you located above. On Windows, you may need administrator permission — if a dialog appears asking for confirmation, click "Continue" or "Yes". On Mac, the system may ask for your password; enter it to proceed. Once the folder is in place, you can delete the temporary extracted copy from your desktop or Downloads folder.
Restarting After Effects and verifying the installation
Open After Effects. The program may take slightly longer to start than usual as it scans for new plugins — this is normal. Once it has fully loaded, open the Effects menu. Navigate to Distort or Glitch (the category depends on your version) and look for Datamosh 2 in the list.
If Datamosh 2 appears, the installation is complete. Create a new composition, add a video layer, and apply the effect to test it. If it does not appear, close After Effects again and double-check that the folder name matches exactly what the developer specified — plugin folders are case-sensitive on Mac and sometimes on Windows.
Troubleshooting if Datamosh 2 does not appear
The most common reason Datamosh 2 does not show up is that it was placed in the wrong Plugins folder. Verify you used the correct path for your operating system and your specific After Effects version. If you have multiple versions installed, the plugin only appears in the version where you placed it.
Another possibility is that the plugin file itself is corrupted or incomplete. Re-download Datamosh 2 from the source, extract it again, and repeat the installation. If you are still having trouble, check the developer's website or documentation — some versions of Datamosh 2 require a specific version of After Effects or may have compatibility notes for your operating system.
On Mac, if you see a security warning saying the plugin cannot be opened, you may need to allow it in System Preferences. Go to Security & Privacy, find Datamosh 2 in the list of blocked apps, and click "Allow".
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to restart my computer after installing Datamosh 2?
No. Restarting After Effects is enough. The plugin loads when After Effects starts, not when your computer starts. Close After Effects completely, wait a few seconds, then open it again.
Can I install Datamosh 2 in multiple After Effects versions at once?
Yes. Each After Effects version has its own Plugins folder. Navigate to the Plugins folder for each version you use and place a copy of Datamosh 2 in each one. You only need one copy of the downloaded file — you can move or copy it to multiple locations.
What if I get a message saying "plugin not found" when I try to use Datamosh 2?
This usually means the plugin folder is in the wrong location or the folder name does not match what After Effects expects. Close After Effects, move the Datamosh 2 folder to the correct Plugins directory, and restart the program. Check the developer's documentation for the exact folder name required.
Can I uninstall Datamosh 2?
Yes. Close After Effects, navigate to the Plugins folder, and delete the Datamosh 2 folder. Restart After Effects and it will no longer appear in the Effects menu. You can also move the folder to a backup location instead of deleting it if you think you might use it again later.