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Participant
April 10, 2024
Question

Latest version of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop slowing down machine

  • April 10, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 341 views

Hey - 

Is anybody else having issues with the latest version of illustrator and photoshop?

Every time I open an app my machine slows down tremendously to the point that I have to restart.

I am still on Mac Os Monterey - do I have to upgrade the operating system? 

I wish I wouldn't have upgraded. Is there a way to dial back to the last version?

 

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    4 replies

    NB, colourmanagement
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 15, 2024

    @AP28121 are you using old hardware? As programs get updated they can become rather processor hungry. 

    If not - 

    Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

    (read this entire post before acting please)

    Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

    If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

     

    Here’s some info on how to do that:

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

    Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

     

    Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state. This method ensures all preferences and any user presets which may be causing a problem are not loaded.

    1. Quit Photoshop.

    2. Navigate to Photoshop's Preferences folder.
      macOS: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
      Windows: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

       
      Note: The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see How to access hidden user library files.
    3. Drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe for a back-up of your settings

    4. Open Photoshop.

       New preferences files will be created in their original location.

     

     

    Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

    To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

     

    Unexpected behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop. check out the video

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

     

    Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise per your frequent workflows

    https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

     

    And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

    https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-preferences/td-p/12502668

     

    You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

    Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

     

     

    Before you reset your preferences

    in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

    Quit Photoshop.
    Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

    Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\


      [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

      Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

      https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

      In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

      Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

     

    Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

     

     

    Note for those on macOS:

    Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

    you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

     

    If that doesn't fix the issue:

    Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

    Still hanging? 

    Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

    Do you still have problems?

     

     

     

    It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

     

    It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

    (See above about preserving preferences though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

     

    https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

    Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

     

    Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

     

    I hope this helps

    neil barstow, colourmanagement net  - adobe forum volunteer - co-author: 'getting colour right'

    google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management

    Help others by clicking "Correct Answer" if the question is answered.

    Found the answer elsewhere? Share it here. "Upvote" is for useful posts.

    Earth Oliver
    Legend
    April 10, 2024

    Check your CPU in Activity Monitor to see if the Adobe Library Sync is going nuts. 

    Bojan Živković11378569
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 10, 2024

    Would you like to know how to revert to a previous release or version? Here is explanation Install previous versions of your Creative Cloud apps (adobe.com)

    kglad
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    April 10, 2024

    in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

    p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.



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