Illustrator keeps opening multiple instances while opening or placing the files.

[FinnD]

Illustrator on my Mac keeps opening a new instance for each file I open - either from Bridge or from Finder - even if i select an image in Bridge to "place" inside an open doc, it opens a new instance and a new doc to place it in. Its driving me crazy.

Anyone have an Ideas? (illustrator settings are set to open docs as tabs)

{Renamed by MOD}

[Srishti Bali]

Hi Jim,

Sorry to hear that you are facing problems while opening the files in Illustrator. As per your query, whenever you open a file or select an image to place in Illustrator it opens a new instance of Illustrator. That's definitely not a typical experince with Illustrator. I would request if you can share a few more details like:

• OS and version of Illustrator
• Few screenshots of the issue.
• When did this start happening? Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates or web extensions installed recently.
• Does it help if you launch system in Safe mode (https://helpx.adobe.com/in/x-productkb/global/start-safe-boot-mode-mac.html)?

Looking forward to your response!

Regards,

Srishti

[FinnD]

Hi - This on the latest version of Illustrator CC - 2019, OSX version 10.14.6. No new software on the mac recently (this has been happening for about a month). I have tried safe mode and I have tried deleting preference files etc.

screenshot attached

[FinnD]

Still no reply to this? a week later?

[Srishti Bali]

Sorry about the delay in response. Try login to Root Account (https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204012). Check how application works there. If it works fine there, then it could be related to permission errors. Follow these steps to repair permission errors:https://helpx.adobe.com/in/illustrator/kb/preferences-folder-read-only-error.html 

 If that doesn't help either, we need to troubleshoot this on a live session. Please head here (https://helpx.adobe.com/support.html) and select the chat button in the lower-right corner of the page. We can help on a remote session that way. 

Regards!

[mstalks]

I am experiencing this issue as well. Any resolution? Windows 10, Illustrator 25.0.

[randalls16028879]

I'm on a PC, Windows 10 and just updated Illustrator to 24.3.  Immediately after updating, I have experienced this problem.  Whenever I select an existing Illustrator file with Illustrator already open, another instance opens.  How do I stop this? 

[randalls16028879]

Problem resolved.  I had a shortcut to version 2020 in startup.  When I selected an AI file, it opened version 2021.  I replaced the shortcut in startup with 2021.