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Question

Unable to start Photoshop because the file is locked.

Forum|Forum|24 days ago
May 19, 2026
6 replies
149 views

Hello,

I’m unable to start PS from the CC desktop app nor starting PS from Win start menu as administrator.

I am getting the error message:

“Could not complete your request because the file is locked, you do not have necessary access permissions, or another program is using the file. Use the ‘Properties’ command in the Windows Explorer to unlock the file.

I rebooted my Win system to make sure no active processes was locking any files. I started Photoshop and immediately I get this error message. It doesn’t say which file is locked so that makes it hard to troubleshoot.

What can I do in this situation to resolve this?

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

I am able to install and start Illustrator and Lightroom Classic but PS no way….. Very frustrating

jane-e

Community Expert

@Angelic_worldview6553

Does your computer meet or exceed the recommended requirements?

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/technical-requirements-installation/adobe-photoshop-on-desktop-technical-requirements.html

Jane

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

My computer very much exceeds the recommended requirements. I was able to run Adobe PS v26 but now this with v27??

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

How is it possible that I am unable to load PS? From the CC app or just from Win as an administrator.

It’s quite ridiculous at this point.

paula Machiels

Participating Frequently

ik heb dat probleem ook

en ik probeer dagelijks bijna een fulltime job

Ik weet niet wie mij kan helpen

jane-e

Community Expert

@paula Machiels

This is the Photoshop forum. Photoshop Elements has a separate forum. Please post here:

https://community.adobe.com/photoshop-elements-714

Jane

Peru Bob

Community Expert

Try Unlocker Portable:

https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/unlocker_portable.html

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

Unfortunately, it is unclear which file is locked according to PS. The dialog window doesn’t say much about it.

Peru Bob

Community Expert

@Angelic_worldview6553

Try it on the Photoshop.exe file.

Srishti Bali

Community Manager

Hi @Angelic_worldview6553

Thanks for reaching out. That message usually appears when Photoshop detects a lock on required files or folders. This can happen due to permission issues, another process using the files, or leftover lock files after a crash.

Please try the following:

Make sure Photoshop is not already running in the background (check Task Manager on Windows).
Restart your computer to clear any temporary file locks.
If you’re using antivirus, backup, or sync tools (for example, real-time scanning or cloud sync), temporarily disable them and test again.
Reapply read/write permissions for the Adobe folders and their contents.

Perform this procedure once for each of the following folders:

C:\Program Files\Adobe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe
C:\ProgramData\Adobe
C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe

Steps:

Open File Explorer.
Select View from the top menu and enable Hidden items.
Navigate to the folders listed above.
Right-click the folder and select Properties.
Open the Security tab and select Edit.
Select your username.
In the Permissions section, make sure the Deny checkbox is unchecked.
Select OK and relaunch the application.

If the issue continues, please share your System Info from the Photoshop Help menu (Help > System Info) and try resetting Photoshop preferences after creating a backup: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/desktop/get-started/settings-and-preferences/backup-and-restore-preferences.html

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks, Srishti Bali | Community & Engagement Strategist, Digital Imaging | Adobe

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

Hi Srishti,

Thank you for helping me out.

When checking the PS folder and editing the permissions for “Full control” for “Users”

I get the error message:

On the following folder: “C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2026\Requir...\layouts”

“Failed to enumerate objects in the container. Access is denied”

On the other folders settings were already correct or could be applied to.

Angelic_worldview6553Author

Participating Frequently

What I already was: uninstalling PS. Disabling Eset AV before installation. Reinstall PS again successfully.

Same error message pops up again.

Steps:

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