INSTALLED WITHOUT PERMISSION

Forum|Forum|11 months ago
October 9, 2025
29 replies
9066 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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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.

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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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loyal_wanderlustefa5

Participant

Already switched to Affinity and other capable FOSS for design applications.
I have kept Reader around for the occasional use-case, but seriously, its like you guys are trying to drive users away.

It is my computer.Dont install sh-t I dont ask to install, pretty simple.

Linux Mint is a great daily driver (using W10 still for school)

FOSS apps will continue eating your lunch slowly since you are not a moving target. You add no value-add features, just explore creative (read terrible) SAAS billing methods. Acrobat Pro is a CHORE to use. There are THREE different comment methods each buried in a different location you have to menu dive through to get to. Like. ??? Hello?

Good bye.

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innovative_Elixir95c8

Participating Frequently

If anyone in this thread is wondering why anyone would crack and share software and run linux, now you might understand a little.

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innovative_Elixir95c8

Participating Frequently

Installing the software without asking me is one thing, but re-mapping my print key one day is confusing, bad user experience, and frankly out of line.

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innovative_Elixir95c8

Participating Frequently

This comment was put in and then you mentioned passing on the sentiment to the team about 2 months ago and this just happened to me. The software downloading itself is one thing, but the fact that it decided to remap a key on my keyboard to itself is extremely disappointing.

If this app thinks it can remap keys on my computer and then ask me if I want to revert back (not the other way around) I am uninstalling it and never trying it.

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innovative_Elixir95c8

Participating Frequently

Why does it require me to find an obscure tool to opt out? Why not opt in? and why did you quietly and forcefully REMAP my Print screen key without my permission when this software was installed?