Changing CC install location no longer works

[weheart]

As of the last major CC update earlier this year, I can't change the location of my CC installation. Normally I keep all my CC apps in a single folder. I've done this going as far back as CS. This has never been an issue. Normally I just move the app and I get the error message after startup to update the location, but I've also been able to change the install location via the CC desktop app preferences — Preferences > Apps > Install Location.

Opening the CC desktop app a few days ago, I noticed that all my apps were available for installation. None of the apps from my current installation were being recognized. I also noticed my current apps were not up to date, e.g. Photoshop was at v. 19 instead of the current 19.1.xx. I tried a couple things, moving the apps back, manually downloading, re-downloading, signing out, restarting, deleting the opm.db file, and ultimately removing the suite and reinstalling. Nothing worked. From this I noticed a couple things.

• Using the individual uninstallers from Utilities > Adobe Installers only removed a few preferences and the actual "uninstall shortcut." Everything else, including Application Support files, stayed in place.
• Changing the default install location in the CC desktop app preferences does not "stick"
• Only installations of CC apps at the root of the Applications folder are recognized by the desktop app
• Trying to move apps to their own folder was not recognized, if if I tried to update the install location or move the app back. Had to start the installation process over.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any help would be much appreciated.

[kglad]

this is a problem, "Normally I just move the app.."

don't do that.  properly install the cc desktop app to the default location and leave it alone.  you can again, change the install location of adobe apps via the preferences of the cc desktop app.

at this point,

uninstall everything cc including preferences, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

clean your computer of cc files per http://www.adobe.com/support/contact/cscleanertool.html

restart your computer (don't skip this)

reinstall the cc desktop app, https://creative.adobe.com/products/creative-cloud.

if you're unable to install the cc desktop app at this stage, use an administrator account (solution 4 here, https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/creative-cloud-missing-damaged.html)

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

[CHRISTOPHER A35924389favn]

don't do that. 

By @kglad

Why not? 

[kglad]

because "moving" adobe apps to another computer (eg, using a migration assistant) usually fails and causes a mess that's difficult to reverse.

[Ussnorway]

the install path

and the file location are in preferences... you must have a folder in Windows systems so D:\ Adobe is allowed but just D:\ is not

[weheart]

Granted that just moving the app in the past was not the right way of doing things, I was always presented with a dialogue box that asked if I would like to update the location, so it was never an issue.

However, even doing it the correct way by updating the path isn't working. The preferences just don't stick.

I've already tried wiping all traces of CC and starting over. Used the cleaner tool and then went back through and deleted straggler files that the tool didn't catch. That's where I'm at now, fresh install, unable to change the location.

The deal is it's not make or break, I'm just one of those OCD folks who get a workflow/organize thing going and like to keep it that way. Hoping there would be a fix, but I can live with it.

[weheart · Accepted solution]

Sorted it. Had something to do with the folder I was trying to use for the new path. I created a new folder and changed the path in the desktop app and it stuck. Then uninstalled the apps at the root of the applications folder and re-installed with the new path. Everything is neat and tidy.