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PSD-Work wIndow changed to I don't know what-!??

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
April 4, 2025
3 replies
779 views

Hello. I'm working trying to get out a deadline, and bam! The window changed, the normal side panels and tools are gone, and I don't know how to return to the normal workspace. I don't even know how I ended up with that window (some keystroke?) or what to call it. I can't even delete it or open another file! HELP!

Below is a screenshot of the alien mystery window.

Why does Adobe put these pop-up mysterious functions that I don't need? And while we're at it, how do you get rid of "Extras" that keep respawning after I de-select it? I tried de-selecting all the "extras" in the options window, and I lost keystrokes like Command-H to hide selection and had to research to get it back. Wasting my time. I wish there was a button to press to go back to the basic manual.

macOS

Correct answer Conrad_C

It looks like it got switched into a customized workspace, because the tool and panel arrangement you showed doesn’t match any of the workspace presets that comes with Photoshop. The solution is to get it back to a state you’re familiar with, or at least the state that it’s in when it’s freshly installed.

Try this:

1. Choose the command Window > Workspace, and in the Workspace submenu, note which workspace is actually active right now. What is it?

2. On the Window > Workspace submenu, choose Essentials (Default). That is the arrangement of tools and panels that Photoshop has when freshly installed. It’s what everyone’s tutorials, and the help files, are based on, so Essentials (Default) should look the most familiar to you. But it can still be customized, so…

3. If you chose Essentials (Default) and it still doesn’t look familiar, choose the command Window > Workspace > Reset Essentials.

Conrad_C

Community Expert

Why do I have to reset my workspaces? I don't want to change the setup, which includes "Layers," "Swatches," and "Actions" that are placed outside of the PSD work window on my desktop- because from the side panel, these functions "flag" out and obscure my work. So, I don't think PSD will allow me to save my workspace
By @rgbnites

Fortunately, you do get to save your workspace, and you should: After you arrange everything just the way you like it, including which panels are open and where they are, choose the command Window > Workspace > New Workspace. Give it whatever name you want, and click Save. Now your custom workspace is on the Workspace submenu. If it ever gets messed up, just make sure your workspace is selected, and choose Window > Workspace > Reset [your workspace name] and it should go back to exactly the way you want it. This is not a new feature, it’s been in Photoshop for years.

Are you sure you can't open another file? Do you mean the File menu is blocked from opening, or is it still possible to choose the command File > Open?

Conrad_C

Correct answer

Community Expert

It looks like it got switched into a customized workspace, because the tool and panel arrangement you showed doesn’t match any of the workspace presets that comes with Photoshop. The solution is to get it back to a state you’re familiar with, or at least the state that it’s in when it’s freshly installed.

Try this:

1. Choose the command Window > Workspace, and in the Workspace submenu, note which workspace is actually active right now. What is it?

2. On the Window > Workspace submenu, choose Essentials (Default). That is the arrangement of tools and panels that Photoshop has when freshly installed. It’s what everyone’s tutorials, and the help files, are based on, so Essentials (Default) should look the most familiar to you. But it can still be customized, so…

3. If you chose Essentials (Default) and it still doesn’t look familiar, choose the command Window > Workspace > Reset Essentials.

R

rgbnitesAuthor

Known Participant

Hi. I think it's that blue "Share" button that freezes everything. How do you return to normal without restarting? And how do you get rid of it permanently- it covers options on the top if the window is a certain size.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

Go to window/workspace and reset your workspace. Instead of turning off all extras - try going right below that to "Show" and turn off the features you dont want keeping the Selection Edges checked.

R

rgbnitesAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you for your prompt reply. OK, Why do I have to reset my workspaces? I don't want to change the setup, which includes "Layers," "Swatches," and "Actions" that are placed outside of the PSD work window on my desktop- because from the side panel, these functions "flag" out and obscure my work. So, I don't think PSD will allow me to save my workspace, replacing these functions on my desktop. What I want to know is, what is that? The screenshot is attached. I've run into that window before, and it just interferes with my train of thought. It won't let me quit or open another file. I had to Force Quit, not knowing if I had saved what I was working on.

As far as "Extras" is concerned, whether I select the options or not, it just appears again, applying annoying blue outlines over everything and puts out a bulls-eye cross-hair thing. I looked into this before finding no solution, but I guess it's something Adobe has a plan for and another thing I have to lose pace and live with.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

The blue outline you mention is not controlled by extras - that is under the move tool settings.

Uncheck these options in the options bar:

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