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Inspiring
November 14, 2018
Answered

How to retain preferences when updating or import from old version?

  • November 14, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 3732 views

Our Adobe CC program preferences are reset with each Adobe CC program update. How to avoid/fix?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer kglad

preferences are left unchanged by default.  users must select an option during updates to reset preferences.

if that doesn't seem to work for you, you can manually copy the preference file(s).

acrobat:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1595848?start=0&tstart=0

adobe media encoder: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1713540

after effects:  http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/preferences.html

animate:  http://helpx.adobe.com/flash/kb/re-create-preferences-flash-professional.html

    (or remove Win:  C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Animate CC <version>\ and

                                  C\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Animate\<version>\

                        Mac:   /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/<Animate CC version>/ and

                                    /Users/<username>/Library/Preferences/Adobe/Animate/<version>/)

audition: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1079494

bridge:  https://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/kb/troubleshoot-errors-freezes-bridge-windows.html

captivate: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/975032

dreamweaver:  https://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/kb/restore-preferences-dreamweaver-cs6-cc.html

fireworks:  https://helpx.adobe.com/fireworks/kb/restore-preferences-fireworks-cs5.html

illustrator:  http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html

incopy:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990

indesign:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990

lightroom: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

muse: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1127564 (message 7)

photoshop:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/375776

photoshop elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.htmlhttp://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/troubleshooting/1_delete_preferences_file.htm

prelude: https://helpx.adobe.com/prelude/using/prelude-set-preferences.html

premiere elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.html

premiere pro: http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/troubleshooter/trash-preferences.html

2 replies

Participant
May 15, 2022

I have the same problem, only for the last few updates and when it updates it now deletes the old application so I can't even access the old preferences. I have to recreate all workspaces, keyboard shortcuts, export presets, recent projects, EVERYTHING across all apps! For the love of god PLEASE help, Adobe! Time is money.

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
May 16, 2022

that's an unusual problem and is, most likely, caused by a less commonly used programs on your computer (eg, av, antimalware, cleaners, defraggers etc).  you should check that first because it sounds like (ie, the problem's persisted beyond cc updates) fixing that problem would only be short-lived.

 

otherwise, you could try various cc app fixes and/or you could manually save your preferences for the various programs you use and customize.

 

you should try to fix your cc app first.  reset the cc desktop app: make sure it's in the foreground, then press:

Win: Ctrl + Alt + R
Mac: Cmd + Opt + R

if that fails, try to repair
https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-install-stuck.html

if that fails go ahead and uninstall using the correct uninstaller from https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-messaging and then reinstall

if that fails, do a clean cc install following each applicable step:

uninstall every cc app including preferences, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html
then uninstall the cc desktop app, again using the correct uninstaller, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-messaging
clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html
check for, and if available, update your os
repair all ms visual c++ versions that can be repaired.
update your ms visual c++, if it can be updated
restart your computer (don't skip this)
reinstall the cc desktop app, https://creativecloud.adobe.com/apps/all/desktop?action=install&source=apps&productId=creative-cloud
if you're unable to download the cc desktop app at this stage, use the link at the bottom of the page at https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html
use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

Participant
September 20, 2023

This is not an 'unusual' problem.  It has happened to me often, and it is echoed on this post by many.  It is an adobe conflict.  I haven't seen anyone reply that says this is fixable, only that they continue in frustration. 

kglad
Community Expert
kgladCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
November 14, 2018

preferences are left unchanged by default.  users must select an option during updates to reset preferences.

if that doesn't seem to work for you, you can manually copy the preference file(s).

acrobat:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1595848?start=0&tstart=0

adobe media encoder: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1713540

after effects:  http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/preferences.html

animate:  http://helpx.adobe.com/flash/kb/re-create-preferences-flash-professional.html

    (or remove Win:  C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Adobe\Animate CC <version>\ and

                                  C\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Animate\<version>\

                        Mac:   /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Adobe/<Animate CC version>/ and

                                    /Users/<username>/Library/Preferences/Adobe/Animate/<version>/)

audition: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1079494

bridge:  https://helpx.adobe.com/bridge/kb/troubleshoot-errors-freezes-bridge-windows.html

captivate: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/975032

dreamweaver:  https://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/kb/restore-preferences-dreamweaver-cs6-cc.html

fireworks:  https://helpx.adobe.com/fireworks/kb/restore-preferences-fireworks-cs5.html

illustrator:  http://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/setting-preferences.html

incopy:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990

indesign:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/526990

lightroom: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

muse: https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1127564 (message 7)

photoshop:  https://forums.adobe.com/thread/375776

photoshop elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.htmlhttp://www.photokaboom.com/photography/learn/Photoshop_Elements/troubleshooting/1_delete_preferences_file.htm

prelude: https://helpx.adobe.com/prelude/using/prelude-set-preferences.html

premiere elements:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop-elements/kb/preference-file-locations-photoshop-elements.html

premiere pro: http://www.mediacollege.com/adobe/premiere/pro/troubleshooter/trash-preferences.html

FilGovAuthor
Inspiring
November 14, 2018

Thank you for your reply. According to the user, preferences were not left unchanged. We have never seen an option during updates to reset preferences. We have seen an option during upgrades to copy/keep preferences/settings. We always select this. According to the user, this never works. We will forward your suggestion to manually copy the preference file(s). Thank you for the 20 links explaining where they are (even though they unfortunately explain the opposite of what we want).

kglad
Community Expert
Community Expert
November 14, 2018

you're welcome.