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charlesc41889467
New Participant
May 28, 2023
Answered

Illustrator application window moves behind everything when I try to move it (mac)

  • May 28, 2023
  • 43 replies
  • 48978 views

It's a little difficult to explain this properly, but whenever I try to move the Illustrator program window to another part of my screen, it instantly moves behind every other program window I have open. Even if I just move it a teeny tiny bit...boom... now it's behind all the programs I have open. It is very annoying and I can't find a solution anywhere. I dropped in "before and after" screenshots if they help at all. You can see the "Pathfinder" toolbar is still in front of the Chrome window so it's definitely a weird glitch. The issue doesn't happen with any other Adobe program either. I have updated to the latest vesion of AI a few times and still no luck. I have a 2021 Macbook Pro. Anyone have a solution? Thank you.

    Correct answer meh67

    EVERYONE ON THIS THREAD. I see over 190 replies, but this is a community forum. I only see a handful of people taking advantage of the Bug Fix request posted at the top as the second correct answer by richardw. 

    PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add your comments to that bug fix - 

     

    Ill paste it again here:

    (from richardw59677702 )
    Everyone – you can vote to have this bug fixed by Adobe here: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/46772908-illustrator-window-moves-behind-all-other-windows

    43 replies

    Show previous replies
    B
    briano74252447
    New Participant
    July 17, 2023

    I've got the same probem too.

    Only Illustrtor?

      R
      robin_2987
      New Participant
      November 17, 2025

      same on photoshop.. Mac OS

       

      HanSter
      HanSter
      New Participant
      June 6, 2023

      Same thing happens with me and I can't find a fix. Very frustrating.

        K
        Kristinr58
        Participating Frequently
        June 6, 2023

        The same thing is happening to me. I had hoped the latest update would have fixed it, but it did not. Drives me nuts!

          Anshul_Saini
          Community Manager
          Anshul_SainiCommunity Manager
          Community Manager
          June 22, 2023

          Hi @HanSter @Kristinr58 @charlesc41889467,

           

          I can understand how frustrating it can be when you're unable to move the Illustrator window properly on your Mac. To further investigate and provide you with the appropriate solution, could you please share the Apple System Report (SPX file) with us? You can generate the report by following the instructions here: [https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/system-information/welcome/mac#:~:text=Save%20a%20system%20rep....

           

          Additionally, could you let us know if you're using a multi-monitor setup? If so, please provide us with the resolution and make/model of the monitor you're experiencing the issue with.

           

          In the meantime, I recommend updating Illustrator to the latest version, v27.6.1, and macOS to version 13.4.1. This may help resolve the issue. If the problem persists, you can try renaming the UXP & CEP folders from the following locations and running the application in an admin user account to see if that makes any difference:

          • Rename the CEP & UXP folder to CEP.old & UXP.old from the following locations:
            /Library/Application Support/Adobe
            ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
          • If that doesn't help either, uninstall the application using the CC Cleaner tool and reinstall from the Creative Cloud Desktop app if not done previously.

           

          Note: Location starting with this "~" sign indicates the User Library, which is hidden. So, you need to copy & paste the exact path in spotlight search or from Finder Menu > Go > Go to Folder > Paste the location in the dialog box like this:

           

           

           

          This information will help us investigate the issue further and provide you with the appropriate solution.

           

          Best,

          Anshul Saini

          Monika Gause
          Monika Gause
          Adobe Expert
          May 29, 2023

          THere are hints in this reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/AdobeIllustrator/comments/12pkoji/bug_illustrator_window_keeps_moving_to_background/ 

          Switching from Application frame to application bar and back - does that help?

          C
          charlesc41889467Author
          New Participant
          May 29, 2023

          hey thank you so much for the very quick response. I just tried the Reddit page suggested solutions but unfortunately they only work momentarily. When you try using any other application the issue comes right back again and no one has a solution yet. It makes it difficult to work when your job relies on AI, that's for sure! 

            C
            charlesc41889467Author
            New Participant
            May 29, 2023

            Mac OS has all these things to organize the desktop, such as Spaces and whatever it's called.


            oh I get it now. No, I don't have anything like that set up, but it's something weird with Illustrator only because no other Adobe app has this issue, and no other non-Adobe app does either, it's just Illustrator. If you look at the two screenshots I put in with my post, you can see that the Pathfinder window is still in front of the Chrome window even though the Illustrator window is behind everything. That makes me believe that it's a glitch of some sort that is AI-specific. 

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