Here is an article about how to update Premiere Pro! These steps are best used when updating between major releases (for example, from 22.0 to 23.0).
What to watch out for
If you have a big project you've been working on, try to keep working on it in the version you started it in. If you can, wait to update to the latest version until you can start a fresh project!
Backing up your customizations
Before downloading the latest version, open the older version of Premiere where your customizations are saved. Here's how to bring your personal touch to the latest version of Premiere Pro!
1. Let's sync your customizations (general preferences, workspace layouts, and keyboard shortcuts)
First, let's check that the right customizations are enabled for sync. Select the Creative Cloud icon in the bottom left corner of the Premiere Pro UI. Select Manage Sync Settings to open the Sync Settings preferences.
Ask My Preference – recommended if you change your customizations often!
Always Upload Settings – recommended if you have a tried and true setup.
Always Download Settings – Premiere may download old customizations without you knowing, proceed with caution.
Uncheck Automatically clear settings on application quit to preserve your Sync Settings preferences.
Choose which customizations(preferences, workspaces, and/or shortcuts) you want to carry with you between versions. Close the preferences window.
Now we can sync the settings you chose! Select the Creative Cloud icon in the bottom left corner again. Choose Sync Settings Now to send your customizations to the Cloud. Premiere will need to close your project to sync the settings, but it shouldn't take too long, and it will reopen your project where you left off.
2. Now that your project is open again, let's back up any presets you may have.
First, we'll sync Effects Presets. Open the Effects panel, right-click your presets, and select Export Presets to save a .prfpset file that you can import back into Premiere after you update.
After you update Premiere, go to the Effects panel, right-click the Presets folder, and select Import Presets to add your .prfpset to the latest version.
We can also carry your Export Presets over to the latest version! Switch to Export Mode. Next to the Preset dropdown, select the ... menu. Select More Presets to open the Preset Manager. Use the tabs at the top to see all your Custom Presets.
To export all your presets, select the preset at the top of the list, hold Shift on your keyboard, and select the last preset on the list. Select Export at the bottom of the window to choose where you want your presets saved. Your export presets will save as .epr files in the location you chose!
3. If you prefer to transfer your customizations manually, we can copy/paste your profiles between versions of Premiere Pro! To do this, leave the previous version of Premiere Pro installed when updating.
PC Documents\Adobe\Premiere Pro\<version>\Profile-<username>
Mac Documents/Adobe/Premiere Pro/<version>/Profile-<username>
After downloading the latest update, find the folder labeled Profile-YourUsername in the previous version and copy it to the new version's folder. This profile includes workspaces, general preferences, and keyboard shortcuts.
Best Practices for Updating
Whether you've backed up your customizations or you're looking for a fresh start within Premiere, here are the steps we recommend for all users after they've downloaded the latest version of Premiere Pro.
1. Clear your media cache. Here's a walkthrough for how to do this the easy way. To do this manually, navigate to the file paths below.
PC <user name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Common\Media
Mac <user name>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Common
NOTE: To reveal the Library folder on a Mac, start by opening your Finder. Then use the toolbar at the top of your screen to open the Go menu. Press Option on your keyboard to reveal the Library folder in the Go dropdown menu. After you open the Library folder, continue following the file path listed above.
In the Common folder, two folders need to be deleted! One is called Media Cache, and the other is called Media Cache files. Delete both folders and launch the latest version of Premiere with a clean cache! Opening old projects after clearing the cache may take some time as Premiere rebuilds the necessary cache files.
2. Make sure you're on the correct GPU driver.
On a PC, use this walkthrough to figure out which GPU you have and download the latest driver from the manufacturer. If you already know which GPU you have, you can use the links below to go directly to the manufacturer's site.
NVIDIA drivers
We highly recommend downloading Studio drivers and not Game Ready drivers
AMD drivers
Intel drivers
On a Mac, select the Apple logo from the top left of your screen. Select About This Mac from the dropdown menu. Select Software Update from the info popup that appears! If there is an update you can make, please do so.
3. Update any third-party plugins from their manufacturer websites.
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