Photoshop 2026 will not open during launch

Question

Hi all, I'm trying to open Photoshop 2026 and the application refuses to open. I'm trying to open version 27.2 through the Creative Cloud on a Window 11 laptop. Every time the Photoshop screen starts to boot up, it crashes and ends the process without me doing anything.

I've already restarted my computer, uninstalled and re-installed Photoshop, went down a version, and checked for updates on my computer, but nothing came of it and I can't open the app. I'm starting to panic. I have a project due at midnight that needs me to use Photoshop and I'm afraid I won't be able to get it done.

Peru Bob · Answer

Try resetting the tools and/or preferences.
To restore preferences quickly using a keyboard shortcut:

Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (Mac OS) as you start Photoshop. You are prompted to delete the current settings. The new preferences files are created the next time you start Photoshop.
Note: Using the keyboard shortcut, preference files for custom shortcuts, workspaces, and color settings will also be reset to default.

from here:

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

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