Skip to main content
Inspiring
October 19, 2017
Answered

Workspace won't change in Illustrator 2018

  • October 19, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 5014 views

In Illustrator 2018 (Mac) I am unable to change workspaces. No matter which one I choose nothing changes. I don't know if this is related, but, I am also getting the error message "The operation cannot complete because of an unknown error. [CANT] upon startup. Any ideas?

Thanks.

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Bill Silbert

If you did not delete your Illustrator CC 2017 preferences the new version could be having a problem operating with those still present (this same problem happened when C 2017 first came out—it didn't like old preference files).

To delete preferences:

For Macintosh Users: With Illustrator closed launch a Finder Window in column view and click on your home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the following two files and delete them: “Adobe Illustrator <Version #> Settings” (earlier versions of Illustrator might just say “Adobe Illustrator”) and “com.adobe.Illustrator.plist”. When Illustrator is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

After you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, it is a really good idea to create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

For Windows Users: Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching Illustrator and respond affirmatively when asked if you want to reset.

2 replies

Participating Frequently
October 24, 2017

If you lose your Custom workspace in the new update 22.0.0 as I did this fix worked for me. • Go to the workspace tab • Select reset 'your custom workspace name' Then all is back to normal.

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
October 19, 2017

If you did not delete your Illustrator CC 2017 preferences the new version could be having a problem operating with those still present (this same problem happened when C 2017 first came out—it didn't like old preference files).

To delete preferences:

For Macintosh Users: With Illustrator closed launch a Finder Window in column view and click on your home folder. With the Option Key pressed choose Library from the Finder Go Menu. Within the Library folder find the folder called Preferences and within it find the following two files and delete them: “Adobe Illustrator <Version #> Settings” (earlier versions of Illustrator might just say “Adobe Illustrator”) and “com.adobe.Illustrator.plist”. When Illustrator is next launched it will create new preference files and the program will be restored to its defaults.

After you’ve reset up the program (make sure that no document window is open) to your liking, it is a really good idea to create copies of your personalized “mint” preference files (make sure that you quit the program before copying them—that finalizes your customization) and use them in the future to replace any corrupt versions you may need to delete.

For Windows Users: Hold down Ctrl + Alt + Shift when launching Illustrator and respond affirmatively when asked if you want to reset.

steveb7Author
Inspiring
October 19, 2017

Thank you! Your solution fixed both problems.