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