Bizarre Update Behavior

I'm on a Macbook Pro with 32GB running MacOS 15.6.1 (24G90).

AGAIN I am having problems updating the Creative Cloud app and Photoshop.  This time the problems even come with some very weird behavior.

1) In my CC app I get the message that an update of the CC app is available. I click on the update link, the message goes away, and nothing happens except the “updating Creative Cloud” message. The two pop-ups that normally follow, where I have to enter my admin password do not appear, and then the update message reappears at the bottom of the CC window.

2) In the app, it also indicates than an update for Photoshop is available.  I click on the update link, which does not show the usual animation for when it is clicked, and again nothing happens except the “waiting” message. No popups (creative cloud services and I forget the other), nothing. Then the “waiting” message goes away and the blue update link reappears. I quit the CC app, restart and try again. Again nothing, except:

3) I get a popup saying Safari is not running, when it clearly is (see screenshot).

What is going on with this?  I've had trouble on and off with updating CC and Adobe apps ever since you started this method of distributing updates.  This method stinks, frustrates, and wastes my time.