diff --git a/release/readme.html b/release/readme.html
index 1a6247170d5..af9636d80a0 100644
--- a/release/readme.html
+++ b/release/readme.html
@@ -200,8 +200,8 @@ <h2><a id="Multiple_Version_Conversions_51"></a>Multiple Version Conversions</h2
         version (including .rvi and .mvi files) to the current version. The install also includes the necessary programs
         to convert from older versions back to v7.2.0. For versions older than v7.2.0, first we applaud your dedication
         to EnergyPlus that stretches for quite some time, and second you will need to visit the
-        helpdesk (<a href="https://energyplushelp.freshdesk.com/">energyplushelp.freshdesk.com</a>) to request multiple
-        conversion set of programs.
+        <a href="https://energyplushelp.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/folders/67000241428">Helpdesk</a> to request
+        multiple conversion set of programs.
     </p>
 
     <h2><a id="Documentation_55"></a>Documentation</h2>
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ <h2><a id="Weather_Data_63"></a>Weather Data</h2>
         EnergyPlus uses these files directly for annual simulations. The Weather Converter program that is part of
         EnergyPlus can read these weather files and provide .csv (comma separated variable) as well as statistics
         reports
-        about the included (or other) files. Weather data for more than 2100 locations in more than 100 countries can be
+        about the included (or other) files. Weather data for more than 3000 locations in more than 100 countries can be
         downloaded on the <a href="https://energyplus.net/weather">EnergyPlus Weather Page</a>.</p>
 
     <h2>Highlights of this release (V22.1.0)</h2>
@@ -386,13 +386,13 @@ <h2><a id="Platforms_90"></a>Platforms</h2>
         Packages changed slightly as of the 9.4 release.
         We began building our packages on a new system which adds better support
         for newer platforms. During the change, we stepped away from some older OS versions. For example, we are
-        not testing on Windows 7 or 8, only 10. However, both our 32-bit and 64-bit packages now include the new
+        not testing on Windows 7 or 8, only 10 and 11. However, both our 32-bit and 64-bit packages now include the new
         Python plugin system, rather than just the 64-bit as previously. We have also added packaging and testing
         with Ubuntu 20.04 <i>in addition to</i> Ubuntu 18.04. On Mac, we are officially releasing an installer for
         OSX 10.15 and moving toward OSX 11 as well.
     </p>
     <ul class="list-group">
-        <li class="list-group-item">Windows 10</li>
+        <li class="list-group-item">Windows 10 and 11</li>
         <li class="list-group-item">Linux (Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04) 64 bit versions</li>
         <li class="list-group-item">Mac OSX 10.15 64 bit versions</li>
         <li class="list-group-item">EnergyPlus V22.1 has been tested on all of these platforms</li>
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ <h2><a id="Known_problems_104"></a>Known problems</h2>
         known (and even more unknown) probably remain. Specifics on the remaining known problems can be found on the
         GitHub repository <a href="https://github.com/NREL/EnergyPlus/issues">issues page</a>. If you are interested in
         what has been addressed, the issues resolved in this release are installed similarly in the
-        <a href="changelog.html">changelog</a>.
+        <a href="https://github.com/NREL/EnergyPlus/releases/latest">release details</a>.
     </p>
 
     <h2>Additional steps you may want to consider:</h2>
diff --git a/src/EnergyPlus/PluginManager.cc b/src/EnergyPlus/PluginManager.cc
index a2a24a00beb..f4e4d24c85d 100644
--- a/src/EnergyPlus/PluginManager.cc
+++ b/src/EnergyPlus/PluginManager.cc
@@ -516,8 +516,9 @@ PluginManager::PluginManager(EnergyPlusData &state) : eplusRunningViaPythonAPI(s
                         state,
                         "PluginManager: Search path inputs requested adding epin variable to Python path, but epin variable was empty, skipping.");
                 } else {
-                    if (FileSystem::pathExists(epinPathObject)) {
-                        fs::path sanitizedEnvInputDir = PluginManager::sanitizedPath(epinPathObject);
+                    auto epinRootDir = FileSystem::getParentDirectoryPath(fs::path(epinPathObject));
+                    if (FileSystem::pathExists(epinRootDir)) {
+                        fs::path sanitizedEnvInputDir = PluginManager::sanitizedPath(epinRootDir);
                         PluginManager::addToPythonPath(state, sanitizedEnvInputDir, true);
                     } else {
                         EnergyPlus::ShowWarningMessage(state,
@@ -541,6 +542,21 @@ PluginManager::PluginManager(EnergyPlusData &state) : eplusRunningViaPythonAPI(s
                 // nothing to do here
             }
         }
+    } else {
+        // if no search path objects exist, we still need to do the default searching
+        PluginManager::addToPythonPath(state, ".", false);
+        fs::path sanitizedInputFileDir = PluginManager::sanitizedPath(state.dataStrGlobals->inputDirPath);
+        PluginManager::addToPythonPath(state, sanitizedInputFileDir, false);
+        std::string epin_path;
+        get_environment_variable("epin", epin_path);
+        fs::path epinPathObject = fs::path(epin_path);
+        if (!epinPathObject.empty()) {
+            auto epinRootDir = FileSystem::getParentDirectoryPath(fs::path(epinPathObject));
+            if (FileSystem::pathExists(epinRootDir)) {
+                fs::path sanitizedEnvInputDir = PluginManager::sanitizedPath(epinRootDir);
+                PluginManager::addToPythonPath(state, sanitizedEnvInputDir, true);
+            }
+        }
     }
 
     // Now read all the actual plugins and interpret them