Unreal Engine 4 and 5 - Update ANY Plugin To ANY Engine Version in less than 10 minutes!

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Code:
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@echo off
set BATCHFILES="C:\Program Files\Epic Games\UE_4.27\Engine\Build\BatchFiles"
c:
cd %BATCHFILES%
set /p PLUGIN="Plugin directory that includes the .uplugin: "
set PLUGIN=%PLUGIN:"=%
set /p FOLDER="Folder name for the rebuilt plugin: "
RunUAT.bat BuildPlugin -plugin="%PLUGIN%" -package="C:\UnrealProjects\RebuiltPlugins\%FOLDER%"

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YOU MUST change the directories to align with where your folders are. So if you installed Unreal Engine to your D:\ drive for example, then you'll need to change line 3 to say d: instead of c: as well as where your BatchFiles folder is located on line 2 for example.

[sveng]

Great tutorial! Thanks a lot. Works fine with UE 5.

[tableterns]

Great Job! This works like a charm! I updated a 4.27 plugin to 5.3. without an issue... At first, I got the "Engine modules cannot be compiled at runtime. Please build through your IDE" error, but that was because I used the 4.27 path instead of the 5.3 path for Batchfiles....

[vclhsbj]

ONLY THREE WORDS can describe you. " A LIFE SAVER! "

[JavadRezaii]

On 02:34 you can use Open file location on context menu.

[TorQueMoD]

Interesting. Usually you only get that error when you try to rebuild when launching a project. You sure you followed all the steps correctly? Just FYI, I tried using the Assets Cleaner module myself when I got it for free and it didn't really work as advertized because it couldn't tell what assets weren't being used. On the marketplace it's also supported from 4.23 up to 5.2 though so why are you trying to re-compile a plugin when you can just download it for whatever engine you're using? Are you trying it with 5.3? I've had better luck creating a new blank project and then migrating over the maps that I want to include if you're just trying to strip out unused assets.

[ATomCzech]

I tried this method for several plugins already, but it always ends with some C++ compilation error, even when plugin works with 5.2 it fails on 5.3, they always do some uncompatible changes. This is really lucky one that it works even on UE 5 🙂

[Chromixxxx]

The following modules are missing or built with a different engine version:

AssetsCleaner

Engine modules cannot be compiled at runtime. Please build through your IDE.


Not working unfortunately

[OrionEnding]

Awesome. Thanks! Is there a similar process for upgrading projects to a future engine version? I'm curious what your take on that is. (The easiest way to upgrade a project for future versions.)

[satisfactoryrudiscord]

Can't compile Interactive World plugin, everything is correct, "please update your code to the new api before upgrading to the next release" build failed

[biiiiioshock]

Because PowerIK is now part of the engine as FullBodyIK node

[nobIeseis]

i didnt understand, where do i select which version of unreal i want to use?

[TheBMan]

9:21 I see you have the "MenuStarterKit" Plugin. That's the one I'm trying to install to UE5.2 but when I launch the engine, open plugs, click on it and restart I get the following message: Missing Modules: The following modules are missing or built with a different engine version:

MenuStarterKitPlugin

Engine modules cannot be compiled at runtime. Please build through your IDE.

Admittedly I'm going from UE4.27 to UE5.2 so theres a jump. I've tried this with Visual Studio 19 as well as Visual Studio 22. Any help is appreciated.

[johnblack]

If you have your unreal engine installed in another drive (d) the code to help you execute the batch file correctly:

@echo off
d:
set BATCHFILES="D:\Program Files\Epic
cd %BATCHFILES%
set /p PLUGIN="Plugin directory that includes the .uplugin: "
set PLUGIN=%PLUGIN:"=%
set /p FOLDER="Folder name for the rebuilt plugin: "
RunUAT.bat BuildPlugin -plugin="%PLUGIN%"




Where d is the variable holding your name of the drive (ie D:\ E:\ etc). Replace it with your current drive name.

Happy to help <3

[MrSuvidh]

Command seems to work but I get the message BUILD FAILED and then it does not work if I place the plugin in the directory of the game's plugin folder

[maxdashen]

Oh my finally. I had to create a new ik system for my ue4.27 game which works but isn't perfect (first time) now everything will be great with power ik. Thanks

Update: it didn't work it says following something is missing or built in another engine

[JesseTheGameDev]

I believe Power IK doesn't receive updates as of 4.26 because Control Rig has been made the de-facto method for adding IK to characters. Basically it's deprecated in favor of Control Rig.

[LambdacreYT]

When I enter the name it just closes and does nothing

[otsoya]

Hi ! Got a " No such file or directory " error while on 2/6 action while running this script.
have you got an idea ?

[gianlucabenvenuti]

Hello, I'm trying to update a UE4.25 to UE5.03 but when I run the bat file I've created (i'm sure I've used my correct directories) it won't finish and it close before creating the updated plugin folder. Can you give me some hints on maybe what I'm doing wrong? Thanks

[mucod]

Can you update a plugin which I have. I can give it to you and you can update it for me to ue5.3. Actually the problem is I don't have enough space to install visual studio for just one plugin but this plugin cost me too much