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Answered

INSTALLED WITHOUT PERMISSION

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
October 9, 2025
44 replies
11014 views

Can anyone explain to me why Adobe Photoshop Express was suddenly installed on my machine? installed the newest windows update and after turning on it installed and this was without my prompt or permission. I saw PSExpressBroker.exe and PSExpressCore.exe running in Task Manager. File Explorer showed many adobe files created at the exact time of the PC boot! I don't use or have Adobe on my PC . Or I didn't. There are no Adobe entries in MS Program and Features, so no entry to uninstall, but plenty of files in Program Files, and a handful in Program Data. I want this off my pc and want to now how as it has been installed without me selecting to install it or asking for my permission. My pc speed has gone through the floor because of all these programs running in the background...

Performance

Correct answer Rose DV

Hi @anthony_2557, @DT-AMRV, @Shigeomix, @Jmack2467

Thank you all for flagging this - I completely understand how unsettling it is to find software running on your machine without explicitly installing it.

Adobe Photoshop Express was distributed as part of a Windows Update for eligible devices. We recognize this wasn't a great experience for users who didn't want the app, and will pass along the sentiment to the correct team.

To stop it running in the background (Windows):
Go to Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Photoshop Express > ⋯ > Advanced Options, then turn off Run at login and click Terminate. You can also uninstall it from that same menu.

For IT admins or enterprise users who need guidance on managing this deployment across devices, this HelpX article covers how to handle existing installations: https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/adobe-express-photos-existing-users-admin-guide.html

Sorry for the frustration this caused!

Rose

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Exquisite_difference7282

Participant

Hello, I’m responsible for my company’s IT and security - this automatically installed itself on my laptop! I’m really not impressed, this is not a good look, it’s not compliant with our security policies (and frankly any good security policy on the planet) and I’m really not happy! Highly invasive, in no way acceptable at all!

If you keep doing this we will cease all use of Adobe and recommend the same to other companies and individuals!

Rose DV

Community Manager

Hey @Exquisite_difference7282,

I completely understand the frustration, especially from a security and compliance standpoint.

Express Photos was distributed as part of a Windows Update for eligible devices. I'll make sure this feedback gets to the right team, because the compliance impact for IT admins is important context they should hear.

In the meantime, for managing or removing it across devices, this HelpX article is specifically for IT admins and enterprise environments: https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/adobe-express-photos-existing-users-admin-guide.html

Rose

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avid_Symphonybb23

Participant

Very intrusive and I’m guessing it’s grabbing photos for AI. Uninstalled.

jane-e

Community Expert

I’m guessing it’s grabbing photos for AI.

No, Adobe is not grabbing your photos for Generative AI.

Jane

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Johnip

Participant

I just had this happen to my computer. Not only did it remap my print screen key, it removed default file associations for opening photos. [cursing removed] Go to open a jpeg photo and it pops up “Select an app to open this .jpg file” Excuse me? No warning whatsoever that this had been installed. No questions asked if I wanted to change default programs. Just done against my will. Awesome.

Who knows what else it changed. I immediately set to deleting this virus-like (I hope just virus-like...) program from my computer once I figured out why I was being asked to pick a program to open a jpeg.

I’ve been using Photoshop for about 25 years, and Lightroom since version 2 and never once had one of your programs show up unannounced and change file associations.

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excited_solution9e8f

Participant

this is predatory behavior if you ask me, like these guys have a huge market share. What made them think they could be so invasive…

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excited_solution9e8f

Participant

This is a disgusting abuse, not only did it install with a windows update, but it interferes with screen shots and what not - it was totally disruptive to my work flow

if you wanted to alienate people from your products this is how you do it. you force something on to my PC i didnt ask for that interupts my work flow.

jane-e

Community Expert

@Dazzling_ninjab0bb

See this thread in the Photoshop Express forum. PSE is separate from Ps where you posted.

https://community.adobe.com/questions-719/installed-without-permission-1224453?postid=7692083#post7692083

It was part of a Windows update. Rose explains how to stop it from running.

EDIT: Your post with replies was merged with the Primary thread in the Express forum.

Jane

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avid_Symphonybb23

Participant

Or just uninstall the unwanted software.

jane-e

Community Expert

Or just uninstall the unwanted software.

See the reply from 19 days ago in this thread as to why your idea is not the best:

https://community.adobe.com/questions-719/installed-without-permission-1224453/index2.html?postid=7752762#post7752762

Jane

davescm

Community Expert

See this Adobe help article :
https://helpx.adobe.com/business/enterprise/products-entitlements/manage-entitlements/adobe-express-photos-existing-users-admin-guide.html

Dave

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Dazzling_ninjab0bb

Participant

Adobe Express Photos installed itself on my computer without my permission. LIKE A VIRUS.

It then changed file associations without my permission. LIKE A VIRUS.

It does not allow complete removal by using windows regular normal processes (it requires registry editing). LIKE A VIRUS.

Removing it does not prevent reinfection (requires registry editing). LIKE A VIRUS.

This VIRUS like behavior is completely unacceptable. Do you realize what this does to Adobe CREDIBILITY? This kind of approach is what made me report Mc Afee self installer as a virus to Bitdefender. Fix this at once or face the consequences!

Programs should always install as an explicit OPT-IN not self install and offer OPT-OUT!

[offensive language removed by moderator]

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Brave_Palette0969

Participant

I uninstalled it by running Remove-AppxPackage -Package "AdobeSystemsIncorporated.AdobePhotoshopExpress_6.7.6.0_x64__mtcwf2zmmt10c" in Powershell (with Administrator privileges). Also found it super annoying that this unwanted app was added!

Rose DV

Community Manager

Thanks for adding your voice to the thread @Brave_Palette0969 - I bring everything back to the team!

Rose

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sojsoj

Participating Frequently

+1 why on earth Adobe choose to do this? and it’s not first time. I’m paying for your software. I do not want to pay for the useless resource consuming security hole in my system. And honestly I do not want to bother to run virtual machines just for Adobe to isolate all this. we have enough hassle with everything else. I want photo editing software, why you push to be all this junk I do not ordered, nor chose to install? I was looking at opensource alternatives, and told to myself I will still stick with Adobe. but this is last reason, now I will work seriously to switch. bye bye (once subscription expire)

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Greg231600055k3j

Participating Frequently

Try Foxit. It’s demonstrably better, less of a resource hog, and doesn’t act like Torjan-ware for useless software you don’t want.

G

Greg231600055k3j

Participating Frequently

I mean I understand. Adobe Photo Express is an absolutely garbage application that no one wants, so the only way to get people to install it is if you sneak it in like a virus that takes over the superior applications that were already chosen by users. But come on, can someone sue Adobe for these anti-consumer tactics already? This is nonsense. Why do big corporations always resort to deceptive scamming practices to gain market share instead of building actually good products that people want?

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