Last used workspace doesn't open with documents

[Frank in Spokane Jr]

I'm having a problem that comes and goes -- and always after an application update (though not after EVERY application update).

I use a custom workspace. When I close and save a document, that workspace is open. But when I open that (or another) document later, the workspace doesn't automatically open / show. It's still available in the menu Window > Workspace, and it opens when I select it there. It just doesn't re-open the next time.

This is a minor annoyance, but it IS STILL an annoyance. How do I fix it? (Using InDesign 17 and Windows 10 Enterprise.)

Thx in advance. 🙂

[Eugene Tyson]

Try setting your workspace with no documents open.

You shouldn't have to do this - so there might be something else at play.

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Your workspaces should be stored here

On a Mac, start at your Home folder, and go to:
[Home] > Library > Preferences > Adobe InDesign > version > language > InDesign Defaults

Windows:
C:\Documents and Settings\<USER>\Application Data\Adobe\InDesign\version\language\InDesign Defaults

So you can backup your workspaces - save them somwhere else

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Try resetting your preferences:
The easiest way to reset everything is to delete the InDesign preferences: as soon as InDesign starts to boot hold down Shift, Alt, Ctrl (and Apple/Cmd if working on a Macintosh). A dialog will appear asking to delete the InDesign Preferences, select 'Yes' on this dialog.
Further info and instructions here if needed:
https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html

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Reinstalling rarely fixes everything - you can do a complete reinstall using the
Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[Frank in Spokane Jr]

Try setting your workspace with no documents open.

You shouldn't have to do this - so there might be something else at play.

I tried, no luck.

Your workspaces should be stored here ...

Windows:
C:\Documents and Settings\<USER>\Application Data\Adobe\InDesign\version\language\InDesign Defaults

Mine are at:

C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 17.0\en_US\Workspaces

Folder contains the following 6 .xml documents:

• Advanced_CurrentWorkspace
• Essentials Classic_CurrentWorkspace
• Essentials_CurrentWorkspace
• FG Custom
• FG Custom_CurrentWorkspace
• Start_CurrentWorkspace

So you can backup your workspaces - save them somwhere else

Moved the “Workspaces” folder to a different location, so there’s no “Workspaces” folder in “en_US”.

Try resetting your preferences:
The easiest way to reset everything is to delete the InDesign preferences: as soon as InDesign starts to boot hold down Shift, Alt, Ctrl ... . A dialog will appear asking to delete the InDesign Preferences, select 'Yes' on this dialog.

Launched InDesign while holding Shift-Ctrl-Alt; got a dialog saying:

InDesign.exe

Delete InDesign Preference files?

Clicked “Yes”

Got the InDesign “Home” window (Welcome to InDesign … Get started … “ etc.)

Couldn’t open the document from within the app, as it is located on a different server, and when I try to navigate there, I get a dialog saying:

Location is not available

[server name] is not available. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you’re connected to the network or Internet [it is], then try again [I did, no luck]. If the location still can’t be found, it might have been moved or deleted.

Clicked “OK”

Went to a different window (already open) with the document showing, and double-clicked it; nothing happened.

Quit InDesign.

There is a new Workspaces folder at

C:\Users\Golubsfa\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\InDesign\Version 17.0\en_US\Workspaces

… with 1 file inside:

• Start_CurrentWorkspace.xml

Double click the document; it opens. The menu "Window > Workspace" lists ID's 9 default workspaces [in square brackets].

Open “Essentials Classic” workspace, followed by “Essentials”. Make a change in the document, save and close.

Now there are 3 .xml files in “Workspaces”:

• Essentials Classic_CurrentWorkspace.xml
• Essentials_CurrentWorkspace.xml
• Start_CurrentWorkspace.xml

Open the document again, and no workspace is showing.

Q: Should I do the complete reinstall?