Photoshop not releasing a folder after a save-as

another interesting thing i just notied too is if i save-as but replace a file that’s already there it the handle is still with the previous folder and not that current one. 

Thank you

- preferences I already had save in background and auto save disabled- 
- crash processor disabled
- the REG was already in there set to 0

tried again and the folder is still not releasing but bouncing etween just photoshop and node. 

more details:
- they are PSD files i’m opening so save as compressed tifs
- recent files set to 0, clearing the list didn’t release the folder
- Drive is connected with USB 3.2

Test 1:
- opened psd from folder 1
- save-as tiff
- closed file
-> folder doesn't release and handle reports open with photoshop and node

- folder 2 - open/save-as/close
-> both folders aren't released
   - folder 1 handle -> held by node
   - folder 2 handle -> held by photoshop

quitting photoshop released both folders

Test 2:
- folder 1 - open/save-as/close
-> folder doesn't release and handle reports open with photoshop and node

- folder 2 - open/save-as/close
-> both folders aren't released
   - folder 1 handle -> held by node
   - folder 2 handle -> held by photoshop

- folder 3 - open/save-as/close
-> folder 3 and folder 1 aren't released
   - folder 1 handle -> held by node
   - folder 3 handle -> held by photoshop

Extra info:
- a plain save doesn't do this and opening a file and save-as to that same format appears to not lock the folder.
- It's also just the folder; i can move files as normal inside the locked folder.
- It appears to be tied to save-as to a different format, mostly tiff
- Happens almost always opening a psd and save-as to a tiff
- Happens with RAW images too but not as often as psd
- killing the node process the handle goes back to photoshop; example Test 2 folder 1 went back to photoshop from node

I dont think it's related to the general save pipeline. appears to be linked to the save-as

any other info that would help please let me know

Hi ​@vikingd,

Thank you for reaching out. Based on what you've described, here are a couple of things to try that may provide a workaround:

1. Go to Edit > Preferences > File Handling and uncheck "Automatically Save Recovery Information Every [X] Minutes. Also, uncheck "Save in background."

2. Disable Adobe Crash Processor. If the handle is no longer retained after this change, it confirms the crash processor's file-watch is the culprit.
    

• Open Start

• Search for "Command Prompt" and launch it

• Enter the following command:

• REG ADD HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\CommonFiles\CRLog /v "Never Ask" /t REG_SZ /d 0

• Press the Enter key

• If asked, "Value Never Ask exists, overwrite (Yes/No)?" Choose No.
   

If those steps don't help, a few more details would help us narrow it down:

• Are you saving as PSD, PSB, TIFF, JPEG, or another format? Does the issue happen with all formats or only specific ones?

• Do you have File > Open Recent enabled? Photoshop's recent file tracking holds directory references; clearing the list (Edit > Preferences > File Handling > Recent File List Contains: 0) might release the hold.

• For the external NTFS drive with a 5400 RPM spindle, is it connected via USB 3.x, Thunderbolt, or a dock/hub? Certain USB controllers paired with Windows' delayed-write behavior can compound the problem of handle retention.

• Does "Save" (overwrite) behave differently from "Save As" (new name or new folder)? This would help determine if it's tied to the new-file-creation code path or the general save pipeline.

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

Anshul Saini