Configuration Error: Please uninstall and reinstall the product Error:16

[cs-4-123]

I have wasted several hours on this issue and only made the problem worse.  Originally only Photoshop CC 2018 would not launch and I would get the above message.  After following Adobe online instructions for Error: 16, now all my CC apps won't launch.  There is no ability to call support or chat.

I have the CC 2018 Photography plan and Premier Pro CC on a Windows 10 Pro modern machine.  The install was previously working, but I now have the same error on launch.

I have done the instructions in this at least 3 times:

Configuration error in Adobe Creative Cloud

I have run the CC Cleaner Tool several times:

Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

My products are correctly activated to the machine that I am using.

I can launch the app by finding the icon and right clicking open as administrator, but this is not a proper solution.  For example, I can't launch a photo from lightroom to photoshop this way.

Any suggestions?

[kglad]

after restarting your computer, do the permissions remain 'everyone' for read/write on the adobe pcd and slstore folders?

[cs-4-123]

My SLStore folder has full control for everyone and administrators and the Adobe PCD folder only has read selected for everyone.  Adminstrators has full control.

I didn't make any specific manual changes to the everyone group.

[kglad]

both need read and write permissions.

[cs-4-123]

Only the Adobe PCD folder didn't' have write access for Everyone.  I have applied write and I still received the same error.  I did this a few times and rebooted with the same result.

[kglad]

let adobe support know you can't fix your adobe pcd folder and see if they can help.  using a browser that allows popups and cookies,  contact adobe support during pst business hours by clicking here and, when available, click 'chat', http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/service-ccm.html

or contact the Adobe Twitter team at @AdobeCare

[cs-4-123]

Just an update on this.  The online resolutions for error 16 do not work.  After a very difficult time I was able to chat with Adobe and they twice tried remote access to my computer to fix this issue.  Neither agent could fix the issue and they say it is escalated, but they never reach out to me unless I initiate conversation.  They have major problems with this issue.  We have tried a fresh administrator account, changed permissions on all adobe folders, deleted all adobe folders, reinstalled the apps multiple times, used the adobe cleaner tool.. nothing is working.

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Carchibald123, I am sorry you continue to face Configuration Error 16 when opening Photoshop CC on Windows 10 Professional.  Do you continue to face difficulties with applying the correct file permissions to the Adobe PCD folder?  You mentioned you opened a support case do you have a case number that I can reference?

[cs-4-123]

I still have the problem for all Adobe apps.  I've reinstalled several times, deleted all directories, applied the security permissions to those directories and I still get the error.  Staff has remote desktop'ed twice to no success and stated that I would get a call back, which I haven't.

Case # ADB-1467494-V7G3

Thanks

[Jeffrey_A_Wright]

Thanks for the update, Carchibald123.  I reviewed case #ADB-1467494-V7G3, and it is still open pending investigation.

You may want to consider backing up any critical files if you are unable to resolve the file permission issue with the Adobe PCD folder.  You have an individual plan, so it is unlikely that the file permissions are being affected by Group Policy rules or any other remote managed operation.

While waiting for an update, Carchibald123, I would also recommend reviewing any installed software that may be affecting the ability to modify the Adobe PCD folder.  This type of software includes, but is not limited too, anti-virus, malware removal, and system optimization utilities.

[cs-4-123]

My case numbers seem to be confused as I received a separate response for:  CRM:00867000002212

We had a conversation regarding your issue that you were getting error 16 while trying to launch Adobe applications. Please follow the mentioned troubleshooting steps, and check if the issue gets resolved:

Uninstall all Adobe products and creative cloud desktop app and remove the following Adobe Folders and registries manually.

Uninstall Creative cloud desktop app using Creative cloud cleaner tool:

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Then, remove the following folders manually from the mentioned locations:

%temp%

C:\Program Files\Adobe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe

C:\ProgramData\Adobe

C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe

C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Roaming\com.adobe.

C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\Adobe

C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\LocalLow\Adobe

C:\Users\<user_name>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe

Enter 'regedit' in run command, and delete the following Adobe folders:

~ Registry Keys ~

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Adobe

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VirtualStore\Machine\Software\Adobe

Also disable user account control.:

1. Access User Control Panel from. >Start Menu. >Control Panel. >User Accounts and Family Safety. >User Account.
2. Click on User Account Control settings link.
3. Move the Slider to Never Notify.
4. Click OK to make the change effective.
5. Reboot.

Restart the machine and download the adobe products and check if the issue persists.

Please let us know if the issue persists, and we will be glad to assist you.

Thanks and Regards

Adobe Support

----

I did the process twice and I get exactly the same error. 

I shutoff Norton Antivirus, turned off Windows Defender, turned off Windows UAC

Deleted all directories and keys.  I had to stop all adobe processes such as "Adobe GC Client Application" and "Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service".

I rebooted several times and confirmed that all directories were deleted, along with the keys before doing the reinstall.  I ran the adobe cleaner tool

I had troubles deleting this directory and file:   CoreSync_x86.dll, but I was able to rename it and then delete it after another reboot.

After double checking again I installed Photoshop but I still get the same error.  I cannot run any of the products.

Are you confident this is not on the Adobe service end for license verification?

What next?

[Jeffrey_A_Wright · Accepted solution]

Carchibald123, if you are unable to resolve the permission error then I would recommend backing up any necessary files and settings.  Once the back up is complete you can reinstall Windows 10 Professional and reinstall the necessary Adobe applications.

I would recommend that you proceed carefully when installing any system utilities or anti-virus software titles on the new Windows installation, Carchibald123.  I would certainly avoid the use of any system optimization utilities that may affect the availability of files on the computer.

For details on how to reinstall the Adobe CC applications, on the new Windows 10 installation, see Learn how to download your Adobe Creative Cloud apps .

[jmegafauna]

Reinstall our operating systems?  Do you consider that an acceptible answer, telling paying customers to waste hours of their time so that Adobe doesn't have to fix their problem?  That doesn't really strike me as the "Correct Answer" at all.