How to stop creative cloud app on mac from starting? its killing my CPU

[nutmix5]

I don't use creative cloud (to be honest, I don tknow what it is). I do have lightroom classic and photoshop subscription.

the creative cloud app consumes considerable CPU (around 5-10% constantly), and racks up tens of CPU hours.

So I need to get rid of it, but not get rid of photoshop nor lightroom. And I need to be able to update photoshop and lightroom without the creative cloud app.

How does one remove the creative cloud app on mac?  Windows is easy, you just go to add/remove programs and remove it, which will remove it, and all its data.

[kglad · Accepted solution]

High CPU or power use when Adobe Creative Cloud is idle on Mac OS 10.11

but if you no longer wish to use adobe programs:

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)

[nutmix5]

Hi I still need to be able to use and update photoshop and lightroom classic. Can I do this without the battery and performance killing creative cloud app?  I assume the creative cloud app is constantly searching my HD or other work to use so much power and CPU, which is completely unacceptable as it has no purpose whatsoever. 

[nutmix5]

Note, my current work around is to manually quit the creative cloud app each time I boot up my mac, but sometimes I forget and before I know it my battery is dead due to its CPU intensive malware.  Perhaps as a better solution, someone could tell me how to write a script on the mac which kills it after it starts, so its only running for a few seconds after boot?  It windows you could put a script in the startup folder, which could kill a process. I guess the same thing is possible on the mac?

[kglad]

read the first link in message 1.

[Alexander5c65]

I had the same problem. Did you try, in CreativeCloud->Preferences, to untick "Launch CreativeCloud at login"?

[Jens17455995xsfo]

This is actually one of my biggest wishes that Adobe could improve: It would be such an improvement if Adobe stops installing "virus like" background processes. It's resource consuming and a potential security risk. What I would like is that after closing all Adobe programs, the system is "clean" again. If the excuse is: it's for synchronizing the cloud data: I do not wish to use Adobe cloud, I have better alternatives (running) for that (opt out?). If the excuse is: it's for updating, those checks can be done when the programs are actually running or updates can follow the normal software update procedures of the operatnig system. I have no hope that this will ever change, but maybe ... someone at Adobe gets inspired to make "well-behaved software" the new standard.

[kglad]

these are user-to-user forums. to make a suggestion to adobe, https://www.adobe.com/products/wishform.html

p.s. these are what the various background processes do, https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/adobe-background-processes.html

[Jens17455995xsfo]

Hi Kgad,

Thank you for your reply, I really think Adobe should turn off "helper background processes" when their software is not actively being used. In the first place for better for battery life, security and performance, so I will complete the "wishlink" form, users deserve good software when they pay for it. Looking at the list of background processes, it looks to me like that there is no good reason to run them all the time (from the user's perspective).

[kglad]

@Jens17455995xsfo, i have to agree with you, but i'm also doubtful adobe will comply. their software has never been a model of efficiency or transparency or customization.

the few things, actually related to the adobe forums, that i thought should be relatively easy to implement turned out to be a nightmare when looking at the details.  i suspect it's the same story where adobe's software is involved.

[rachel25141376eupk]

Try this steps-

Click on the menu bar icon.

Click the ellipsis icon at the top-right.

Select “Preferences” ellipsis menu

Uncheck “Launch at login”.

preferences

Note: The “Preferences” option does not appear until you log in to Creative Cloud.

This may help you,

Rachel Gomez

[kglad]

@rachel25141376eupk, that doesn't really help.  the few things adobe (seemingly) allows you to control (start up and syncing), don't really stop any background processes and therefore are usually no help to people having problems (like the op).

[Charlie27279312g9kx]

So frustrating especially given there is not an option to download the apps individually without their bloatware. Do you know if Adobe has ever directly addressed this? It seems like everyone I know who uses their software has similar complaints.

[kglad]

way prior to the first cc release, adobe was entrenched in bloat.

but you can get direct links.  not easily (except for cc 2019 and older):

you can install the latest and 1 version prior versions using the cc desktop app. you must have a subscription because previous versions are not available with trials. other versions are revealed after clicking file preferences>apps>tick show older apps (at panel bottom).

for versions prior to cc 2020, use prodesign tools.com*.

for versions between cc 2019 and one previous version, contact adobe support for links.**

*

most adobe download links are available from prodesigntools.com. https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-direct-download-links.html

follow the directions (esp, step 1)

save the install file. it may not remain online.

thank jim @ prodesigntools.com

**

use a browser that allows popups and cookies and contact adobe support by clicking here, https://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html?rghtup=autoOpen
in the chat field (lower right), type AGENT
be patient, it can take quite a while to reach a human

p.s you can also use phone (but chat is usually quicker), https://helpx.adobe.com/contact/phone.html

p.p.s. you can also use twitter to tweet @AdobeCare

p.p.p.s. if you're contacted by anyone (via email or private message), it's much more likely to be a scammer than an adobe representative. ie, double check for an employee badge if contacted in the forums and look for an adobe.com domain in the email address if you click reply to an email. then check again and be very suspicious. any other method of contacting (or offering to contact you) is almost certainly a scam, https://community.adobe.com/t5/using-the-community-discussions/staying-safe-in-the-adobe-support-com...