P: PS 26.5 Droplets Could not complete the Create Droplet command because the file was not found.

[hadi_9157]

When I create a droplet in Photoshop 2025, it creates a folder instead of an EXE file. What is the solution?

[jonathantabensky]

I get this error when trying to create a droplet in latest Photoshop and on latest Mac OS. Does anyone know how to fix? Thanks...

[Jeff Arola]

Do you get that error message when going to File>Automate>Create Droplet or after you enter the details in the Create Droplet dialog and press OK?

[jonathantabensky]

After I press ok... It then creates a folder where the droplet should be containing contents... I will attach a screen shot...

[Jeff Arola]

I would try a uninstall/install of Photoshop 2025 (ps ver 26.4.1) using the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop Application in

Applications/Adobe Creative Cloud

[jonathantabensky]

Problem is I have done that in the past and lost all my actions and plugins....it was a real pain reinstating all that stuff. I think I was downgrading to a previous version because of a bug. Will that happen this time if I'm reinstalling the same version I just uninstalled?

[anthonyhague]

I have just bought a new Macbook pro max M2 and it came with the latest OS 15.4.  Photoshop 2025 is version 26.5.    I cant seem to create a photoshop droplet because of this warning 'could not complete the create droplet because file was not found'.  This sounds to me like Adobe hasn't updated its Create Droplet program.   Ive tried using the old droplets off the Intel iMac but they dont work.  Now im pretty worried because in my job I have to deliver my files as JPEGs which will take hours to do one by one?    

If we can't find an Adobe fix does anyone have any other suggestions?  

[Jeff Arola]

anthonyhague,

With the Droplet selected go to Apple>System Settings>Privacy & Security>Security and click Open Anyway for the Droplet.

[Sameer K]

Hey, @hadi_9157. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. I'll need more info to help you figure this out. 

Please share screenshots or a short video showing this behavior and the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy and paste into a text document > Upload and attach here.

You've tagged this post with macOS; the droplets are created as .app instead of .exe, which is for Windows. 

Please ensure Photoshop has the required permissions on the macOS: https://adobe.ly/4jLMgp5

Here is the previous conversation that you can check related to macOS Sequoia and droplets behaving unexpectedly: https://adobe.ly/4lq6SVk 

Also, is it the icon for the droplet that looks like a folder, or does it not behave as a droplet? 

I hope this helps. Thanks!

Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[hadi_9157]

Thank you for your response. I have applied all the mentioned tips, but when creating a droplet, the result is a file rather than an application with an .exe extension. I tried reverting to the old version, but nothing happened.”

[jonathantabensky]

This only works if you can actualkly create a droplet, and will probably work for droplets that have been copied from elsewhere, but the main problem is Photoshop (well in my case) can't comlete the process of creating a droplet. I get an error message and a folder is created instead of a droplet.

[jonathantabensky]

Please refer to my screen shots above.

[Sameer K]

Thanks for adding the screenshot. Please include a short video and System info as requested above. If you'd like, you can send these details to me via direct message. 

Please ensure there are no stale preferences in your Photoshop. You can go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to back it up. (https://adobe.ly/3u7u84j) This method is more effective compared to the in-app Reset Preferences at quit method. 

macOS: Hold down the Option key in the Finder when using the Go menu. The library will appear below the current user's home directory.

Library > Preferences > Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2025 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2025.old)

This will give a fresh start to Photoshop as a new installation.

Let me know if it helps. Thanks!

Sameer K

(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

[ExUSA]

Just tested, got the same error. Intel MacBook Pro, Sequoia 15.4, Photoshop 26.5.0. No Adobe beta software installed.

The created folder is named "foo.appContents" and is a folder instead of an application bundle.

Running the actual Droplet executable crashes with a code signature error (even though there is a _CodeSignature folder present.) Changing the file extension to .app doesn't work either, macOS throws an error that the application is damaged or incomplete.

[ExUSA]

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/could-not-complete-the-create-droplet...

I'm seeing the same error.

[ExUSA]

The Mac doesn't use .exe files, applications have .app file extension.

[Sameer K]

We're able to recreate this on macOS v15.4. I've shared it with the team for review & comment. 

Thanks for the details. 

Sameer K

[jordonv11666698]

Any update on this?

[tommyt2000]

Please advise - this is really messing us up.   Is there a fix or workaround?

[LuisaLizenz]

Photoshop 2024 / 2025 und BETA

MacOS Sequoia 15.x

Fehlermeldung beim erstellen eines neuen Droplets aus einer eigenen Aktion 

Das Droplet konnte nicht erstellt werden, weil die Datei nicht gefunden werden konnte.

Es wird nur auf z.B.: ~/Schreibtisch oder ~/Dokumente ein Ordner mit dem Namen des Droplets Verkleinern.appContents erstellt 

Bei nochmaligem versuch das Droplet zu erstellen kommt dann folgende FM: 

Das Droplet konnte nicht erstellt werden, Eine Datei mit dem Namen „Contents“ existiert bereits..

Ich bin langsam mit meinem Latein am ende. 

Unsere PhotoshopUser erstellen immer wieder Droplets aus Aktionen und brauchen hier eine praktikable Lösung, da diese auch keine Adminrechte haben. 

Irgendeiner eine IDEE woran das noch liegen kann

- Sicherheitseinstellung MacOS

- ProgrammBug  (unter Monterey funktionierte das alles noch)

- ggf. andere Vorgehensweise (sollte auch für den Normalen User machbar sein)

Danke schon mal für Eure Hilfe

[wasanthaya]

Hi We tried every possible thing to get the App working,
<System Mini-M4, Sequoa 15.4>
We tried with PS 2021 and 2025, still  file was not found error
Tried fixing the AppContent renamed to App and fixing the internal File structure with "Contents" etc.
Then it runs the Droplet but it doesn't export files to a Folder.
Need you help.

[wasanthaya]

We tried installing macOS v15.4.1 from the scratch, Install PS 2021, and Droplet started working without a glitch. So weird.

[wasanthaya]

1. Small Correction to my ealier post:
2. We installed Macos Sequoia 15.2
3.  then Installed Adobe PS 2021
4. Ran the Droplet Creation - WORKED YAY!!!
5.  Then installed Macos Sequoia update 15.4.1
6. Tried Droplet creation - It Failed, stopped at the File not found.
7. So the culprit was the OS update.
8. Workaround - we copied the Droplet Folder to Macos Sequoia 15.4.2 updated system and working as wanted. So create your Droplet under 15.2 and copy it into 15.4.1.
9. I thought it would be permision issue in Macos Sequoia but it could be system file used to compile the Droplet. (who knows as we couldn't use the Droplet created in macOS Monterey. It did work but not the renamed file to the destination Folder)
10.  Goodluck with other as we found an internal workaround and hope Apple will fix the bug soon. (Not Adobe 🙂 

[Dakota_moon]

Running Photoshop v25.6.0 on a Mac Studio M2 MAX,  macOS v15.4 with same problem everyone else is having.

After spending HOURS troubleshooting this it would appear to be a "known issue" that you are working on, so I await the next release which hopefully has resolved this issue. As a side not, I don't even get an alert in the "Security" subsection. All possible privacy and security prompts are enabled, and I even reloaded PS using Shift/Option/Command to no avail other than wasting my time. PLEASE ELEVATE THIS ISSUE as a higher priority on your list for engineering to address ASAP.

Thank you. 

[BVH58]

I'm also having the same problem with droplets. I have done System Settings/Privacy & Security/clicked Open Anyway...nothing happens, still get error message.  I have also done System Settings/Privacy & Security/Full Disk Access/turned on droplet.  Neither of these work.  Does anyone have a fix to get droplets working? I'm working on 26.5.0

[carolinel40506703]

OMG thank you so much, it worked after allowing it to open in the firewall section!