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Clean Install? Adobe: "hold my beer"

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Just did a completely clean macOS install. Installed Creative Cloud.

And suddenly my Applications folder looks like Adobe moved in with all their cousins.

I’m staring at nine (!!!) extra “apps” duplicate Creative Cloud icons, CoreSync pretending to be an app, random utility stubs… basically a whole parade of stuff I never asked for and definitely don’t want cluttering my system.

Why is this still a thing in 2025?

No other pro software dumps this much junk into /Applications and calls it normal.

If these are background processes, then make them background processes.
If they’re not meant to be opened by humans, then don’t present them as apps.
It’s not complicated.

Clean install → clean system.
Adobe install → chaos.

Please, for the love of workflows everywhere: fix this installation bloat. Nobody needs a Creative Cloud matryoshka doll of apps.

leo.rCorrect answer

Community Expert

That's not Adobe's problem. You're not looking at the Applications folder. You're looking at the Spotlight results for application search. Which, naturally, shows you every app it can find.

I assume you're using the new "Apps" app introduced on Tahoe. However, the only thing this "app" does is invoke the Spotlight search that you witness. In addition to showing you all kinds of stuff you don't need, the Spotlight approach presents an array of other issues such as an inflexible window and the inability to see full app names (that's just for starters).

I personally wouldn't recommend to use this "Apps" thingie (another bizarro concoction from Apple.)

You can get a 3rd-party app launcher (just look them up; there are several). Or just put your Applications folder in the Dock, then click it when needed (you can also change the icon size by Cmd-+ and Cmd-[minus] if needed.)

leo.r

Correct answer

Community Expert

That's not Adobe's problem. You're not looking at the Applications folder. You're looking at the Spotlight results for application search. Which, naturally, shows you every app it can find.

I assume you're using the new "Apps" app introduced on Tahoe. However, the only thing this "app" does is invoke the Spotlight search that you witness. In addition to showing you all kinds of stuff you don't need, the Spotlight approach presents an array of other issues such as an inflexible window and the inability to see full app names (that's just for starters).

I personally wouldn't recommend to use this "Apps" thingie (another bizarro concoction from Apple.)

You can get a 3rd-party app launcher (just look them up; there are several). Or just put your Applications folder in the Dock, then click it when needed (you can also change the icon size by Cmd-+ and Cmd-[minus] if needed.)

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Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

@leo.r is correct. My Apps folder shows all the CC apps.

However, the Apps app is not meant to simply scroll through all one's apps. As so as you open it, type some text to filter the view. One can also click on the tabs below the entry area but they are generally too vague. Of course, one's main app would be added to the dock so it's more for the "miscellaneous" apps.

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David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Dave Creamer of IDEAS

Community Expert

Interestingly, my Applications folder looks nothing like yours. No clutter. I suspect a problem install.

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David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @danpinho,

Thanks for calling this out, and I totally get how frustrating it is to see these extra components appearing as if they’re standalone apps after a clean macOS install. While items like CoreSync and certain Creative Cloud services are needed for licensing, syncing, and background processes, they definitely shouldn't clutter the Applications folder like this.

When you get a moment, could you try checking the behavior in a new local admin user account and let me know if the same thing happens there? Ref: https://adobe.ly/4s4lZHs

If it continues, please try using the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to fully remove Creative Cloud and related components, then reinstall fresh through the Creative Cloud Desktop app: https://adobe.ly/43fQrCS
Once done, share how things look so we can continue from there.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

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Manan Joshi

Community Expert

Hi @danpinho,

Probalby the better place to make this request is on https://indesign.uservoice.com/. That is where the Adobe folks would see it

-Manan

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-Manan