What folders contain my settings and preferences on Mac (for backup purposes)?

Question

As I have recently struggled with a nasty issue with macOS Tahoe straight after the update—luckily now solved—where the solutions could either be create a new admin user to start afresh or… wipe the SSD to start afresh with no migration allowed because the issue was in the user library, I would like to create a backup routine with Carbon Copy Cloner of just the settings folders for the apps I use for work.

I need to find all folders related to at least the apps I use: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Acrobat, Bridge. Perhaps this could be expanded to include also all other apps for other people who would like to feel safe.

Thank you!

Mike Witherell · Answer

For InDesign, a relatively new feature is:

File > User Settings > Export User Settings

Most InDesign settings live here:

[macOS] Mac/Users/UserName/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version 21.0/en_US/
[Win 10/11] Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 21.0\en_US\

In Illustrator, look for...

Edit > Settings > Export Settings

Most Illustrator settings live here:

[macOS] Mac/Users/UserName/Library/Preferences/Illustrator 30 Settings/en_US/

[Win 10/11] Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Illustrator 30 Settings\en_US\

Read all about Adobe InDesign 2026 tour of 34 presets, styles, automations

The other softwares are in the same neighborhood as the ones I cited above:

Acrobat Pro

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Acrobat\DC\UserPrefs

Photoshop

C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2026\Adobe Photoshop 2026 Settings

Lightroom CC

"C:\Users\mikew\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Lightroom CC\Preferences\Lightroom CC Preferences.agprefs"

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