Packaging a plugin deletes everything in the folder selected

Development Pipeline & Plugins Plugins
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1

Replication:

  1. Create a new folder in any location
  2. Fill folder with some test files / subfolders (I believe .exe files are the only thing that doesn’t get deleted)
  3. Create a blank C++ project
  4. Open plugins menu Edit → Plugins
  5. Create a custom plugin (bottom right New)
  6. Restart the project
  7. Package the plugin to folder created in step 2

All the test files you created should have been deleted in that folder

2

Hi fpwong,

I tried to reproduce this in 4.13.2, but was unable to do so. What I tried was to create a sub-folder in the folder that I normally use as a destination when testing packaging issues (which is located on my Desktop), then I copied a few random files and other folders that were already on my Desktop into that new sub-folder. I then created a new code project, added a plugin to it, and packaged it into my usual folder (that now contained the sub-folder and miscellaneous files). When the packaging had completed, that sub-folder and all of its files were still there. Would you be able to provide any additional information?

  • What specific plugin template are you using?
  • Did you make any alterations to the code in either the project or plugin prior to packaging?
  • What are your packaging settings, and how are you starting the packaging process?
3

Hi, check the video below for what I did. I skipped the first part since it had to compile the C++ project but its a blank project with no starter content & max quality.

You can see the rest in the video below, plugin is a blank custom plugin and packaging settings are set to default.

4

Hi fpwong,

Thank you for the additional clarification. I was able to reproduce the issue using the information in your video, and with that I was able to find ticket UE-36346 that was recently entered for this particular issue. I have updated the ticket to indicate that you are also seeing the same issue.

5

The issue persists in unreal engine 4.14.1.
I just got all my folder and files of my Desktop deleted due to this issue!
Fortunately, I didn’t have many important folders/files under my desktop and able to recover some key files via data recovery tool. Please raise the priority of the issue or warn people for the cause, the results could be serious if a user select root directory of the drive or the working directory as the packaging destination.

6

Hello.

Thanks for raising your concern regarding this issue. I agree this could potentially cause a significant problem, and have renewed conversation around our options to resolve this matter.

Cheers