Do I need to uninstall apps prior to clean installing OS?

[pete_someguy]

Hi all,

Due to hardware upgrades I need to do a clean operating system install (windows). Do I need to uninstall my apps or remove the license from my current installation for my Photography plan prior to doing the clean install?

Thank you in advance.

[Peru Bob · Accepted solution]

Short answer: No.

Longer answer: I would sign out of my account first.

[pete_someguy]

Do you mean as in load Photoshop, click Help, then on Sign Out?

[Peru Bob]

Yes.

[kglad]

are you just installing win over your current problem?  if so, then yes, it would be pruduent to uninstall adobe cc apps and then reinstall.  if you're reformatting your hard drive (after backing up your data), then no, you don't need to uninstall anything cc (unless some of was installed on a non-os drive.

to uninstall:

uninstall every cc app  per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-remove-app.html

then uninstall the cc desktop app, using the correct uninstaller per https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html#sa_src=web-mes...

install your os

reinstall the cc desktop app using*



*
use the "alternative download links" at the bottom of the page at https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html

use the desktop app to install your cc programs/trials

NOTE: win 11 users that have trouble with the latest win 10 installer often have success with the older win 10 installer.

[pete_someguy]

A complete clean OS install on the same drive. I'm upgrading my CPU, RAM and a gaming SSD to a nvme drive. Asus suggested a clean install.

My data is on a data drive so no need to do backups 🙂

[kglad]

a clean install means your cleaning the drive, before re-installing your os, typically by reformatting.  in that situation, you only need to uninstall your cc apps if they were installed off the os drive.