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dudej70268332
Participant
July 8, 2025
Question

Photoshop file windows get lost behind Photoshop application frame

  • July 8, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 124 views

I often work with multiple files that I need to see side by side and it's best to work with them undocked. The problem is I always end up loosing some of the file windows and they end up being behind the photoshop application frame - completely behind the photoshop application.

 

As sugested by others, I've tried turning off the application frame as work-around and as someone who often works between Illustrator and Photoshop at the same time, it's equally frustrating but for different reasons. With the application frame turned off, photoshop ends up on top of Illustrator and with no application frame you end up with your lllustrator work and tools (or whatever) in the background which is visually annoying but the main problem is you often end up clicking on the Illustrator tools accidentally instead of photoshop and then it flips out of the application you're trying to work in and completely breaks your workflow. I could never get used to this and it drove me crazy. 

Ultimately, I don't understand the purpose or any benefit whatsoever of having file windows dissapear behind the application frame. I'm not aware of any other application that does this or why after so many years this hasn't been corrected. Seems like it should be a simple fix. 

2 replies

creative explorer
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 9, 2025

@dudej70268332 if you can afford it, having multiple screens go a long way! Even when I am teaching at the school, I have three screens. When I teach at home, I have two, plus my two tablets. 

But to answer your question, this has happen to me, if my HDMI cable or USB-C comes out acidentally. I always work with the Application Frame on, and use the different tiling in the arrange in View. If by chance, I get  stuck. I can quickly 'Consolidate All to Tabs' to quickly get all up again, and then Tile it again or place where they should go on my second screen. 

 

m
Community Manager
July 8, 2025

Hi @dudej70268332! Thanks for reaching out.

What version of Photoshop are you currently using? And if you’re able to share a quick screen recording of the issue, that would be super helpful. I tried testing it on my end using Windows, but so far I haven’t been able to reproduce the problem.

Looking forward to your reply!

Alek

*(If you mention me with an @, like @Aleke, I’ll get a notification and can respond faster.)*