diff --git a/.github/workflows/intel-cmake.yml b/.github/workflows/intel-cmake.yml
index 780021461f0..4bdda03c79d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/intel-cmake.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/intel-cmake.yml
@@ -58,9 +58,7 @@ jobs:
           -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=config/toolchain/intel.cmake \
           -DMKL_ROOT="/opt/intel/oneapi/mkl/latest" \
           -DTBB_ROOT="/opt/intel/oneapi/tbb/latest" \
-          -DBUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=ON \
           -DLIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT=OFF \
-          -DBUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=ON \
           -DZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT=OFF \
           -DHDF5_BUILD_FORTRAN=OFF \
           $GITHUB_WORKSPACE
diff --git a/.github/workflows/main-cmake.yml b/.github/workflows/main-cmake.yml
index 7327d2a8518..0bf383b0dd9 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/main-cmake.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/main-cmake.yml
@@ -184,9 +184,7 @@ jobs:
             -DHDF5_BUILD_FORTRAN=${{ matrix.fortran }} \
             -DHDF5_BUILD_JAVA=${{ matrix.java }} \
             -DHDF5_BUILD_DOC=${{ matrix.docs }} \
-            -DBUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=${{ matrix.libaecfc }} \
             -DLIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT=${{ matrix.localaec }} \
-            -DBUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=${{ matrix.zlibfc }} \
             -DZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT=${{ matrix.localzlib }} \
             -DHDF5_ENABLE_MIRROR_VFD:BOOL=${{ matrix.mirror_vfd }} \
             -DHDF5_ENABLE_DIRECT_VFD:BOOL=${{ matrix.direct_vfd }} \
@@ -213,9 +211,7 @@ jobs:
             -DHDF5_BUILD_JAVA:BOOL=OFF \
             -DHDF5_BUILD_HL_LIB:BOOL=OFF \
             -DHDF5_BUILD_DOC=OFF \
-            -DBUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=${{ matrix.libaecfc }} \
             -DLIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT=${{ matrix.localaec }} \
-            -DBUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT=${{ matrix.zlibfc }} \
             -DZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT=${{ matrix.localzlib }} \
             -DHDF5_ENABLE_MIRROR_VFD:BOOL=${{ matrix.mirror_vfd }} \
             -DHDF5_ENABLE_DIRECT_VFD:BOOL=${{ matrix.direct_vfd }} \
diff --git a/CMakeFilters.cmake b/CMakeFilters.cmake
index 78f98db9384..53cf539ea65 100644
--- a/CMakeFilters.cmake
+++ b/CMakeFilters.cmake
@@ -13,30 +13,24 @@ option (USE_LIBAEC_STATIC "Use static AEC library " OFF)
 option (ZLIB_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for ZLIB" 0)
 option (SZIP_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for SZIP" 0)
 
-option (BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT "Use FetchContent to use original source files" OFF)
-if (BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-  set (ZLIB_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for ZLIB" 1)
-  if (NOT ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
-    set (ZLIB_URL ${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH}/${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
-  else ()
-    set (ZLIB_URL ${TGZPATH}/${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
-  endif ()
-  if (CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER_EQUAL "3.15.0")
-    message (VERBOSE "Filter ZLIB file is ${ZLIB_URL}")
-  endif ()
+set (ZLIB_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for ZLIB" 1)
+if (NOT ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
+  set (ZLIB_URL ${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH}/${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+else ()
+  set (ZLIB_URL ${TGZPATH}/${ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+endif ()
+if (CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER_EQUAL "3.15.0")
+  message (VERBOSE "Filter ZLIB file is ${ZLIB_URL}")
 endif ()
 
-option (BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT "Use FetchContent to use original source files" OFF)
-if (BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-  set (SZIP_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for SZIP" 1)
-  if (NOT LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
-    set (SZIP_URL ${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH}/${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
-  else ()
-    set (SZIP_URL ${TGZPATH}/${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
-  endif ()
-  if (CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER_EQUAL "3.15.0")
-    message (VERBOSE "Filter SZIP file is ${SZIP_URL}")
-  endif ()
+set (SZIP_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for SZIP" 1)
+if (NOT LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
+  set (SZIP_URL ${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH}/${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+else ()
+  set (SZIP_URL ${TGZPATH}/${LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+endif ()
+if (CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_GREATER_EQUAL "3.15.0")
+  message (VERBOSE "Filter SZIP file is ${SZIP_URL}")
 endif ()
 
 include (ExternalProject)
@@ -55,18 +49,12 @@ if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MAT
     if (NOT TGZPATH)
       set (TGZPATH ${HDF5_SOURCE_DIR})
     endif ()
-    if (NOT BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-      set (ZLIB_URL ${TGZPATH}/${ZLIB_TGZ_NAME})
-    endif ()
     if (ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
       if (NOT EXISTS "${ZLIB_URL}")
         set (HDF5_ENABLE_Z_LIB_SUPPORT OFF CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
         message (VERBOSE "Filter ZLIB file ${ZLIB_URL} not found")
       endif ()
     endif ()
-    if (NOT BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-      set (SZIP_URL ${TGZPATH}/${SZAEC_TGZ_NAME})
-    endif ()
     if (LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
       if (NOT EXISTS "${SZIP_URL}")
         set (HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_SUPPORT OFF CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
@@ -97,12 +85,7 @@ if (HDF5_ENABLE_Z_LIB_SUPPORT)
         set (LINK_COMP_LIBS ${LINK_COMP_LIBS} ${ZLIB_LIBRARIES})
       endif ()
     else ()
-      if (BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-        # Only tgz files available
-        ORIGINAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY ("TGZ")
-        message (VERBOSE "HDF5_ZLIB is built from fetch content")
-        set (LINK_COMP_LIBS ${LINK_COMP_LIBS} ${ZLIB_STATIC_LIBRARY})
-      elseif (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
+      if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
         EXTERNAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY (${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT})
         message (VERBOSE "Filter HDF5_ZLIB is built")
         set (LINK_COMP_LIBS ${LINK_COMP_LIBS} ${ZLIB_STATIC_LIBRARY})
@@ -153,13 +136,7 @@ if (HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_SUPPORT)
       set (LINK_COMP_LIBS ${LINK_COMP_LIBS} ${SZIP_LIBRARIES})
     endif ()
   else ()
-    if (BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-      # Only tgz files available
-      ORIGINAL_SZIP_LIBRARY ("TGZ" ${HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_ENCODING})
-      message (VERBOSE "SZIP is built from fetch content")
-      message (VERBOSE "... with library AEC")
-      set (LINK_COMP_LIBS ${LINK_COMP_LIBS} ${SZIP_STATIC_LIBRARY})
-    elseif (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
+    if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
       EXTERNAL_SZIP_LIBRARY (${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT} ${HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_ENCODING})
       message (VERBOSE "Filter SZIP is built")
       message (VERBOSE "... with library AEC")
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index aa91dbe9f80..d5fe85a0561 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -855,13 +855,6 @@ option (HDF5_PACKAGE_EXTLIBS "CPACK - include external libraries" OFF)
 if (NOT HDF5_EXTERNALLY_CONFIGURED)
   if (HDF5_PACKAGE_EXTLIBS)
     set (HDF5_NO_PACKAGES OFF CACHE BOOL "CPACK - Disable packaging" FORCE)
-    if (HDF5_ENABLE_Z_LIB_SUPPORT AND ZLIB_FOUND AND NOT BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-      PACKAGE_ZLIB_LIBRARY (${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT})
-    endif ()
-
-    if (HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_SUPPORT AND SZIP_FOUND AND NOT BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-      PACKAGE_SZIP_LIBRARY (${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT})
-    endif ()
   endif ()
 endif ()
 
diff --git a/CMakePlugins.cmake b/CMakePlugins.cmake
index 16fb8740fd9..726bc29da7c 100644
--- a/CMakePlugins.cmake
+++ b/CMakePlugins.cmake
@@ -9,27 +9,41 @@
 # If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from
 # help@hdfgroup.org.
 #
+option (PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for filter PLUGIN" 0)
+
+set (PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for PLUGIN" 1)
+if (NOT PLUGIN_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
+  set (PLUGIN_URL ${PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGPATH}/${PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+else ()
+  if (NOT H5PL_TGZPATH)
+    set (H5PL_TGZPATH ${TGZPATH})
+  endif ()
+  set (PLUGIN_URL ${H5PL_TGZPATH}/${PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGNAME})
+endif ()
+message (STATUS "Filter PLUGIN file is ${PLUGIN_URL}")
 
 include (ExternalProject)
 #option (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT "Allow External Library Building (NO GIT TGZ)" "NO")
 set (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT "NO" CACHE STRING "Allow External Library Building (NO GIT TGZ)")
 set_property (CACHE HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT PROPERTY STRINGS NO GIT TGZ)
 if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
-  option (PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for filter PLUGIN" 1)
+  set (PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for PLUGIN" 1)
   if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT")
     set (PLUGIN_URL ${PLUGIN_GIT_URL} CACHE STRING "Path to PLUGIN git repository")
     set (PLUGIN_BRANCH ${PLUGIN_GIT_BRANCH})
   elseif (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
-    if (NOT TGZPATH)
-      set (TGZPATH ${HDF5_SOURCE_DIR})
+    if (NOT H5PL_TGZPATH)
+      set (H5PL_TGZPATH ${TGZPATH})
     endif ()
-    set (PLUGIN_URL ${TGZPATH}/${PLUGIN_TGZ_NAME})
-    if (NOT EXISTS "${PLUGIN_URL}")
-      set (HDF5_ENABLE_PLUGIN_SUPPORT OFF CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
-      message (STATUS "Filter PLUGIN file ${PLUGIN_URL} not found")
+    if (PLUGIN_USE_LOCALCONTENT)
+      if (NOT EXISTS "${PLUGIN_URL}")
+        set (HDF5_ENABLE_PLUGIN_SUPPORT OFF CACHE BOOL "" FORCE)
+        message (VERBOSE "Filter PLUGIN file ${PLUGIN_URL} not found")
+      endif ()
     endif ()
   else ()
     set (PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL 0)
+    message (VERBOSE "Filter PLUGIN not built")
   endif ()
 endif ()
 
diff --git a/CMakePresets.json b/CMakePresets.json
index 6fe2fd09571..e73cb009682 100644
--- a/CMakePresets.json
+++ b/CMakePresets.json
@@ -9,19 +9,17 @@
       "hidden": true,
       "inherits": "ci-base",
       "cacheVariables": {
-        "HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT": "NO",
-        "TGZPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"}
+        "HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT": {"type": "STRING", "value": "TGZ"},
+        "TGZPATH": {"type": "PATH", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"}
       }
     },
     {
       "name": "ci-CompressionVars",
       "hidden": true,
       "cacheVariables": {
-        "BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT": "ON",
         "ZLIB_PACKAGE_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "zlib"},
         "ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "https://github.com/madler/zlib/releases/download/v1.2.13"},
         "ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "zlib-1.2.13.tar.gz"},
-        "BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT": "ON",
         "LIBAEC_PACKAGE_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "libaec"},
         "LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "https://github.com/MathisRosenhauer/libaec/releases/download/v1.0.6"},
         "LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "libaec-1.0.6.tar.gz"}
@@ -41,8 +39,7 @@
       "name": "ci-base-plugins",
       "hidden": true,
       "cacheVariables": {
-        "PLUGIN_TGZ_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5_plugins.tar.gz"},
-        "PLUGIN_PACKAGE_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "pl"},
+        "PLUGIN_TGZ_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5_plugins-master.tar.gz"},
         "BSHUF_TGZ_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "bitshuffle.tar.gz"},
         "BSHUF_PACKAGE_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "bshuf"},
         "BLOSC_TGZ_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "c-blosc.tar.gz"},
@@ -73,21 +70,26 @@
       "hidden": true,
       "cacheVariables": {
         "HDF5_ENABLE_PLUGIN_SUPPORT": "ON",
-        "PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "https://github.com/HDFGroup/hdf5_plugins/archive/refs/tags"},
+        "H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT": {"type": "STRING", "value": "TGZ"},
+        "PLUGIN_PACKAGE_NAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "pl"},
+        "PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "https://github.com/HDFGroup/hdf5_plugins/releases/download/snapshots"},
         "PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGNAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5_plugins-master.tar.gz"}
       }
     },
     {
       "name": "ci-StdPlugins",
       "hidden": true,
-      "inherits": ["ci-base-plugins", "ci-PluginsVars", "ci-base-tgz"]
+      "inherits": ["ci-base-plugins", "ci-PluginsVars", "ci-base-tgz"],
+      "cacheVariables": {
+        "PLUGIN_USE_LOCALCONTENT": "OFF"
+      }
     },
     {
       "name": "ci-ExamplesVars",
       "hidden": true,
       "cacheVariables": {
-        "HDF5_EXAMPLES_COMPRESSED": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5-examples-2.0.4.tar.gz"},
-        "HDF5_EXAMPLES_COMPRESSED_DIR": {"type": "STRING", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"},
+        "HDF5_EXAMPLES_COMPRESSED": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5-examples-master.tar.gz"},
+        "HDF5_EXAMPLES_COMPRESSED_DIR": {"type": "PATH", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"},
         "EXAMPLES_TGZ_ORIGPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "https://github.com/HDFGroup/hdf5-examples/archive/refs/tags/"},
         "EXAMPLES_TGZ_ORIGNAME": {"type": "STRING", "value": "2.0.4.tar.gz"}
       }
@@ -106,7 +108,7 @@
     {
       "name": "ci-StdShar",
       "hidden": true,
-      "inherits": ["ci-StdCompression", "ci-StdExamples"],
+      "inherits": ["ci-StdCompression", "ci-StdExamples", "ci-StdPlugins"],
       "cacheVariables": {
         "HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE": {"type": "STRING", "value": "hdf5::"},
         "HDF5_INSTALL_MOD_FORTRAN": "NO",
@@ -181,7 +183,7 @@
       "name": "ci-StdShar-GNUC",
       "description": "GNUC Standard Build for x64 (Release)",
       "configurePreset": "ci-StdShar-GNUC",
-      "verbose": false,
+      "verbose": true,
       "inherits": [
         "ci-x64-Release-GNUC"
       ]
diff --git a/config/cmake-presets/hidden-presets.json b/config/cmake-presets/hidden-presets.json
index 18ffdd17f5f..bd36153c278 100644
--- a/config/cmake-presets/hidden-presets.json
+++ b/config/cmake-presets/hidden-presets.json
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
       "name": "ci-Fortran-Clang",
       "hidden": true,
       "cacheVariables": {
-        "CMAKE_Fortran_COMPILER": "gfortran"
+        "CMAKE_Fortran_COMPILER":  {"type": "FILEPATH", "value": "gfortran"}
       },
       "condition": {
         "type": "matches",
diff --git a/config/cmake/HDF5PluginCache.cmake b/config/cmake/HDF5PluginCache.cmake
index 0d1795de82b..34a97d5902a 100644
--- a/config/cmake/HDF5PluginCache.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/HDF5PluginCache.cmake
@@ -18,7 +18,13 @@ set (H5PL_HDF5_DIR ${CMAKE_CURRENT_BINARY_DIR} CACHE STRING "HDF5 build folder"
 set (H5PL_HDF5_DUMP_EXECUTABLE $<TARGET_FILE:h5dump-shared> CACHE STRING "HDF5 h5dump target" FORCE)
 set (H5PL_HDF5_REPACK_EXECUTABLE $<TARGET_FILE:h5repack-shared> CACHE STRING "HDF5 h5repack target" FORCE)
 
-set (H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT "${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT}" CACHE STRING "Allow External Library Building (NO GIT TGZ)" FORCE)
+if (NOT DEFINED H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT)
+  set (H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT "${HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT}" CACHE STRING "Allow External Library Building (NO GIT TGZ)" FORCE)
+endif ()
+
+if (NOT DEFINED H5PL_TGZPATH)
+  set (H5PL_TGZPATH "${TGZPATH}" CACHE PATH "PATH for finding plugin tgz file" FORCE)
+endif ()
 
 set (H5PL_GIT_URL "https://github.com/HDFGroup/hdf5_plugins.git" CACHE STRING "Use plugins from HDF Group repository" FORCE)
 set (H5PL_GIT_BRANCH "master" CACHE STRING "" FORCE)
diff --git a/config/cmake/HDF5PluginMacros.cmake b/config/cmake/HDF5PluginMacros.cmake
index da0eab5f903..aa409f710a2 100644
--- a/config/cmake/HDF5PluginMacros.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/HDF5PluginMacros.cmake
@@ -1,3 +1,14 @@
+#
+# Copyright by The HDF Group.
+# All rights reserved.
+#
+# This file is part of HDF5.  The full HDF5 copyright notice, including
+# terms governing use, modification, and redistribution, is contained in
+# the COPYING file, which can be found at the root of the source code
+# distribution tree, or in https://www.hdfgroup.org/licenses.
+# If you do not have access to either file, you may request a copy from
+# help@hdfgroup.org.
+#
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Plugins must be built SHARED
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -85,16 +96,16 @@ macro (FILTER_OPTION plname)
   if (ENABLE_${plname})
     option (HDF_${plname}_USE_EXTERNAL "Use External Library Building for ${PLUGIN_NAME} plugin" 0)
     mark_as_advanced (HDF_${plname}_USE_EXTERNAL)
-    if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
+    if (H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT" OR H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
       set (HDF_${plname}_USE_EXTERNAL 1 CACHE BOOL "Use External Library Building for ${PLUGIN_NAME} plugin" FORCE)
-      if (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT")
+      if (H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "GIT")
         set (HDF_${plname}_URL ${HDF_${plname}_GIT_URL})
         set (HDF_${plname}_BRANCH ${HDF_${plname}_GIT_BRANCH})
-      elseif (HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
-        if (NOT TGZPATH)
-          set (TGZPATH ${H5PL_SOURCE_DIR})
+      elseif (H5PL_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT MATCHES "TGZ")
+        if (NOT H5PL_COMP_TGZPATH)
+          set (H5PL_COMP_TGZPATH ${H5PL_SOURCE_DIR}/libs)
         endif ()
-        set (HDF_${plname}_URL ${TGZPATH}/${HDF_${plname}_TGZ_NAME})
+        set (HDF_${plname}_URL ${H5PL_COMP_TGZPATH}/${HDF_${plname}_TGZ_NAME})
       endif ()
     endif ()
     add_subdirectory (${plname})
diff --git a/config/cmake/HDFLibMacros.cmake b/config/cmake/HDFLibMacros.cmake
index 8737b770468..4039a503825 100644
--- a/config/cmake/HDFLibMacros.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/HDFLibMacros.cmake
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 # help@hdfgroup.org.
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (ORIGINAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY compress_type)
+macro (EXTERNAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY compress_type)
   if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT")
     FetchContent_Declare (HDF5_ZLIB
         GIT_REPOSITORY ${ZLIB_URL}
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ macro (ORIGINAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY compress_type)
 endmacro ()
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (ORIGINAL_SZIP_LIBRARY compress_type encoding)
+macro (EXTERNAL_SZIP_LIBRARY compress_type encoding)
   # Only libaec library is usable
   if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT")
     FetchContent_Declare (SZIP
@@ -78,157 +78,3 @@ macro (ORIGINAL_SZIP_LIBRARY compress_type encoding)
   set (SZIP_FOUND 1)
   set (SZIP_INCLUDE_DIRS ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN} ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR})
 endmacro ()
-
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (EXTERNAL_SZIP_LIBRARY compress_type encoding)
-  if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT")
-    EXTERNALPROJECT_ADD (SZIP
-        GIT_REPOSITORY ${SZIP_URL}
-        GIT_TAG ${SZIP_BRANCH}
-        INSTALL_COMMAND ""
-        CMAKE_ARGS
-            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS:BOOL=OFF
-            -DSZIP_PACKAGE_EXT:STRING=${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}
-            -DSZIP_EXTERNALLY_CONFIGURED:BOOL=OFF
-            -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=${HDF_CFG_NAME}
-            -DCMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX:STRING=${CMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DSZIP_ENABLE_ENCODING:BOOL=${encoding}
-            -DHDF_USE_GNU_DIRS:STRING=${HDF5_USE_GNU_DIRS}
-            -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES:STRING=${CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES}
-            -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE:STRING=${CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE}
-            -DPACKAGE_NAMESPACE=${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}
-    )
-  elseif (${compress_type} MATCHES "TGZ")
-    EXTERNALPROJECT_ADD (SZIP
-        URL ${SZIP_URL}
-        URL_MD5 ""
-        INSTALL_COMMAND ""
-        CMAKE_ARGS
-            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS:BOOL=OFF
-            -DSZIP_PACKAGE_EXT:STRING=${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}
-            -DSZIP_EXTERNALLY_CONFIGURED:BOOL=OFF
-            -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=${HDF_CFG_NAME}
-            -DCMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX:STRING=${CMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DSZIP_ENABLE_ENCODING:BOOL=${encoding}
-            -DHDF_USE_GNU_DIRS:STRING=${HDF5_USE_GNU_DIRS}
-            -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES:STRING=${CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES}
-            -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE:STRING=${CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE}
-            -DPACKAGE_NAMESPACE=${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}
-    )
-  endif ()
-  externalproject_get_property (SZIP BINARY_DIR SOURCE_DIR)
-#
-##include (${BINARY_DIR}/${LIBAEC_PACKAGE_NAME}${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}-targets.cmake)
-# Create imported target szip-static
-  add_library(${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}szaec-static STATIC IMPORTED)
-  HDF_IMPORT_SET_LIB_OPTIONS (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}szaec-static "szaec" STATIC "")
-  add_dependencies (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}szaec-static SZIP)
-  add_library(${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}aec-static STATIC IMPORTED)
-  HDF_IMPORT_SET_LIB_OPTIONS (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}aec-static "aec" STATIC "")
-  add_dependencies (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}aec-static SZIP)
-  set (SZIP_STATIC_LIBRARY "${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}szaec-static;${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}aec-static")
-  set (SZIP_LIBRARIES ${SZIP_STATIC_LIBRARY})
-
-  set (SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN "${BINARY_DIR}")
-  set (SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR "${SOURCE_DIR}/include")
-  set (SZIP_FOUND 1)
-  set (SZIP_INCLUDE_DIRS ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN} ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR})
-endmacro ()
-
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (PACKAGE_SZIP_LIBRARY compress_type)
-  add_custom_target (SZIP-GenHeader-Copy ALL
-      COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_if_different ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN}/aec_config.h ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/
-      COMMENT "Copying ${SZIP_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN}/aec_config.h to ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/"
-  )
-  set (EXTERNAL_HEADER_LIST ${EXTERNAL_HEADER_LIST} ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/aec_config.h)
-  if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT" OR ${compress_type} MATCHES "TGZ")
-    add_dependencies (SZIP-GenHeader-Copy SZIP)
-  endif ()
-endmacro ()
-
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (EXTERNAL_ZLIB_LIBRARY compress_type)
-  if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT")
-    EXTERNALPROJECT_ADD (HDF5_ZLIB
-        GIT_REPOSITORY ${ZLIB_URL}
-        GIT_TAG ${ZLIB_BRANCH}
-        INSTALL_COMMAND ""
-        CMAKE_ARGS
-            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS:BOOL=OFF
-            -DZLIB_PACKAGE_EXT:STRING=${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}
-            -DZLIB_EXTERNALLY_CONFIGURED:BOOL=OFF
-            -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=${HDF_CFG_NAME}
-            -DCMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX:STRING=${CMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DHDF_USE_GNU_DIRS:STRING=${HDF5_USE_GNU_DIRS}
-            -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES:STRING=${CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES}
-            -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE:STRING=${CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE}
-            -DPACKAGE_NAMESPACE=${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}
-    )
-  elseif (${compress_type} MATCHES "TGZ")
-    EXTERNALPROJECT_ADD (HDF5_ZLIB
-        URL ${ZLIB_URL}
-        URL_MD5 ""
-        INSTALL_COMMAND ""
-        CMAKE_ARGS
-            -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS:BOOL=OFF
-            -DZLIB_PACKAGE_EXT:STRING=${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}
-            -DZLIB_EXTERNALLY_CONFIGURED:BOOL=OFF
-            -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE:STRING=${HDF_CFG_NAME}
-            -DCMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX:STRING=${CMAKE_DEBUG_POSTFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX:PATH=${CMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX}
-            -DCMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_LIBRARY_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_ARCHIVE_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DCMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY:PATH=${CMAKE_PDB_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}
-            -DHDF_USE_GNU_DIRS:STRING=${HDF5_USE_GNU_DIRS}
-            -DCMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES:STRING=${CMAKE_OSX_ARCHITECTURES}
-            -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE:STRING=${CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE}
-            -DPACKAGE_NAMESPACE=${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}
-    )
-  endif ()
-  externalproject_get_property (HDF5_ZLIB BINARY_DIR SOURCE_DIR)
-
-  if (NOT ZLIB_LIB_NAME)
-    set (ZLIB_LIB_NAME "z")
-  endif ()
-##include (${BINARY_DIR}/${ZLIB_PACKAGE_NAME}${HDF_PACKAGE_EXT}-targets.cmake)
-# Create imported target zlib-static
-  add_library(${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}zlib-static STATIC IMPORTED)
-  HDF_IMPORT_SET_LIB_OPTIONS (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}zlib-static ${ZLIB_LIB_NAME} STATIC "")
-  add_dependencies (${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}zlib-static HDF5_ZLIB)
-  set (ZLIB_STATIC_LIBRARY "${HDF_PACKAGE_NAMESPACE}zlib-static")
-  set (ZLIB_LIBRARIES ${ZLIB_STATIC_LIBRARY})
-
-  set (ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN "${BINARY_DIR}")
-  set (ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR "${SOURCE_DIR}")
-  set (ZLIB_FOUND 1)
-  set (ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIRS ${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN} ${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR})
-endmacro ()
-
-#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-macro (PACKAGE_ZLIB_LIBRARY compress_type)
-  add_custom_target (ZLIB-GenHeader-Copy ALL
-      COMMAND ${CMAKE_COMMAND} -E copy_if_different ${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN}/zconf.h ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/
-      COMMENT "Copying ${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR_GEN}/zconf.h to ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/"
-  )
-  set (EXTERNAL_HEADER_LIST ${EXTERNAL_HEADER_LIST} ${CMAKE_RUNTIME_OUTPUT_DIRECTORY}/zconf.h)
-  if (${compress_type} MATCHES "GIT" OR ${compress_type} MATCHES "TGZ")
-    add_dependencies (ZLIB-GenHeader-Copy HDF5_ZLIB)
-  endif ()
-endmacro ()
diff --git a/config/cmake/cacheinit.cmake b/config/cmake/cacheinit.cmake
index ad61584c902..1f784a73179 100644
--- a/config/cmake/cacheinit.cmake
+++ b/config/cmake/cacheinit.cmake
@@ -70,8 +70,9 @@ set (KWSYS_USE_LOCALCONTENT OFF CACHE BOOL "Use local file for KWSYS FetchConten
 # filter plugin options
 ########################
 
-set (PLUGIN_TGZ_NAME "hdf5_plugins.tar.gz" CACHE STRING "Use PLUGINS from compressed file" FORCE)
-
+set (PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGPATH "https://github.com/HDFGroup/hdf5_plugins/releases/download/snapshots" CACHE STRING "Use PLUGINS from original location" FORCE)
+set (PLUGIN_TGZ_ORIGNAME "hdf5_plugins-master.tar.gz" CACHE STRING "Use PLUGINS from compressed file" FORCE)
+set (PLUGIN_USE_LOCALCONTENT ON CACHE BOOL "Use local file for PLUGIN FetchContent" FORCE)
 set (PLUGIN_PACKAGE_NAME "pl" CACHE STRING "Name of PLUGIN package" FORCE)
 
 #############
diff --git a/release_docs/INSTALL_CMake.txt b/release_docs/INSTALL_CMake.txt
index f979ff315bc..a6306eb4cbc 100644
--- a/release_docs/INSTALL_CMake.txt
+++ b/release_docs/INSTALL_CMake.txt
@@ -316,11 +316,9 @@ IV. Further considerations
 
       D. Use original source packages from a compressed file by adding the following
          CMake options:
-            BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT:BOOL=ON
             LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME:STRING="szip_src.ext"
             LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH:STRING="some_location"
 
-            BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT:BOOL=ON
             ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME:STRING="zlib_src.ext"
             ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH:STRING="some_location"
 
@@ -329,8 +327,6 @@ IV. Further considerations
             ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT:BOOL=OFF
             LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT:BOOL=OFF
          or full path to the compressed file and ext is the type of compression file.
-         The individual filters are enabled by setting the BUILD_<filter>_WITH_FETCHCONTENT
-         CMake variable to ON.
          Also set CMAKE_BUILD_TYPE to the configuration type during configuration.
          See the settings in the config/cmake/cacheinit.cmake file HDF uses for testing.
 
@@ -878,24 +874,25 @@ HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT "Allow External Library Building (NO GIT TGZ)"
 HDF5_ENABLE_PLUGIN_SUPPORT  "Enable PLUGIN Filters"                               OFF
 HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_SUPPORT    "Use SZip Filter"                                     ON
 HDF5_ENABLE_Z_LIB_SUPPORT   "Enable Zlib Filters"                                 ON
-PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL         "Use External Library Building for PLUGINS"           0
+
 ZLIB_USE_EXTERNAL           "Use External Library Building for ZLIB"              0
+ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH         "Use ZLIB from original location"        "https://github.com/madler/zlib/releases/download/v1.2.13"
+ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME         "Use ZLIB from original compressed file" "zlib-1.2.13.tar.gz"
+ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT     "Use local file for ZLIB FetchContent"    ON
+
 SZIP_USE_EXTERNAL           "Use External Library Building for SZIP"              0
 if (HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_SUPPORT)
     HDF5_ENABLE_SZIP_ENCODING "Use SZip Encoding"                                 ON
+LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH       "Use LIBAEC from original location"        "https://github.com/MathisRosenhauer/libaec/releases/download/v1.0.6/libaec-1.0.6.tar.gz"
+LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME       "Use LIBAEC from original compressed file" "libaec-v1.0.6.tar.gz"
+LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT   "Use local file for LIBAEC FetchContent"    ON
+
+PLUGIN_USE_EXTERNAL         "Use External Library Building for PLUGINS"           0
 if (WINDOWS)
     H5_DEFAULT_PLUGINDIR    "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%/hdf5/lib/plugin"
 else ()
     H5_DEFAULT_PLUGINDIR    "/usr/local/hdf5/lib/plugin"
 endif ()
-if (BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-    LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGPATH       "Use LIBAEC from original location"        "https://github.com/MathisRosenhauer/libaec/releases/download/v1.0.6/libaec-1.0.6.tar.gz"
-    LIBAEC_TGZ_ORIGNAME       "Use LIBAEC from original compressed file" "libaec-v1.0.6.tar.gz"
-    LIBAEC_USE_LOCALCONTENT   "Use local file for LIBAEC FetchContent"    ON
-if (BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT)
-    ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGPATH         "Use ZLIB from original location"        "https://github.com/madler/zlib/releases/download/v1.2.13"
-    ZLIB_TGZ_ORIGNAME         "Use ZLIB from original compressed file" "zlib-1.2.13.tar.gz"
-    ZLIB_USE_LOCALCONTENT     "Use local file for ZLIB FetchContent"    ON
 
 NOTE:
   The BUILD_STATIC_EXECS ("Build Static Executables") option is only valid
@@ -1060,15 +1057,15 @@ Available configurations presets can be displayed by executing:
 
 Using individual command presets (where <compiler-type> is  GNUC or MSVC or Clang):
     change directory to the hdf5 source folder
-    cmake --presets=ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
-    cmake --build --presets=ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
-    ctest --presets=ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
-    cpack --presets=ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
+    cmake --preset ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
+    cmake --build --preset ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
+    ctest --preset ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
+    cpack --preset ci-StdShar-<compiler-type>
 
 
 Using the workflow preset to configure, build, test and package the standard configuration is:
     change directory to the hdf5 source folder
-    execute "cmake --workflow --presets=ci-StdShar-<compiler-type> --fresh"
+    execute "cmake --workflow --preset ci-StdShar-<compiler-type> --fresh"
           where <compiler-type> is  GNUC or MSVC or Clang
 
 Creating your own configurations
@@ -1088,7 +1085,7 @@ For instance, to change the support files to use a local directory, edit CMakeUs
       "inherits": "ci-base",
       "cacheVariables": {
         "HDF5_ALLOW_EXTERNAL_SUPPORT": {"type": "STRING", "value": "TGZ"},
-        "TGZPATH": {"type": "STRING", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"}
+        "TGZPATH": {"type": "PATH", "value": "${sourceParentDir}/temp"}
       }
     },
     {
diff --git a/release_docs/RELEASE.txt b/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
index 4214631410c..d26687750ea 100644
--- a/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
+++ b/release_docs/RELEASE.txt
@@ -47,6 +47,18 @@ New Features
 
     Configuration:
     -------------
+    - Converted the build of libaec and zlib to use FETCH_CONTENT with CMake.
+
+      Using the CMake FetchContent module, the external filters can populate
+      content at configure time via any method supported by the ExternalProject
+      module. Whereas ExternalProject_Add() downloads at build time, the
+      FetchContent module makes content available immediately, allowing the
+      configure step to use the content in commands like add_subdirectory(),
+      include() or file() operations.
+
+      Removed HDF options for using FETCH_CONTENT explicitly:
+          BUILD_SZIP_WITH_FETCHCONTENT:BOOL
+          BUILD_ZLIB_WITH_FETCHCONTENT:BOOL
     - Thread-safety + static library disabled on Windows w/ CMake
 
       The thread-safety feature requires hooks in DllMain(), which is only