Allow users to disable automatic mask creation for Adjustment Layers and Smart Filters

I would like an option in Photoshop Preferences to disable the automatic creation of layer masks on Adjustment Layers and filter masks on Smart Filters.

While masks are an important part of non-destructive editing, many professional workflows use adjustment layers purely for global image corrections. In my own work, I only need a mask on a small percentage of adjustment layers. The remaining masks are unused and create unnecessary visual clutter in the Layers panel.

Currently, every adjustment layer and Smart Filter creates a mask by default, even when it is not needed. This results in larger layer stacks, reduced readability, and extra clicks when removing masks manually.

I would like to see a preference such as:

• Create masks on Adjustment Layers by default: On / Off
• Create masks on Smart Filters by default: On / Off

The default behavior could remain unchanged for existing users, while advanced users could opt into a cleaner workflow.

This would improve layer management, reduce interface clutter, and better support users who primarily use adjustment layers for global corrections rather than localized masking.

Thank you for considering this feature request.