Installing a plain plugin jar in Eclipse 3.5

Since the advent of p2, you should be using the dropins directory instead.

To be completely clear create "plugins" under "/dropins" and make sure to restart eclipse with the "-clean" option.

Simplest way - just put in the Eclipse plugins folder. You can start Eclipse with the -clean option to make sure Eclipse cleans its' plugins cache and sees the new plugin.

In general, it is far more recommended to install plugins using proper update sites.

For Eclipse Mars (I've just verified that) you to do this (assuming that C:\eclipseMarsEE is root folder of your Eclipse):

1. Add plugins folder to C:\eclipseMarsEE\dropins so that it looks like: C:\eclipseMarsEE\dropins\plugins
2. Then add plugin you want to install into that folder: C:\eclipseMarsEE\dropins\plugins\someplugin.jar
3. Start Eclipse with clean option.
4. If you are using shortcut on desktop then just right click on Eclipse icon > Properties and in Target field add: -clean like this: C:\eclipseMarsEE\eclipse.exe -clean

5. Start Eclipse and verify that your plugin works.
6. Remove -clean option from Target field.