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NootkaRose
Known Participant
August 19, 2025
Question

I cannot open Photoshop without holding down the Shift key

  • August 19, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 364 views

Running Sequoia 15.6 on an Apple M1. I cannot open Photoshop without holding down the Shift key. I now cannot go to PS from Lightroom--see below  for a screenshot of what I get instead of the image I want to edit. My Creative Cloud files are all up to date. Thanks for any useful help.

1 reply

A
Community Manager
AlekeCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 19, 2025

Hi @NootkaRose, thanks so much for reaching out!

Opening Photoshop while holding down the Shift key will launch it without any third-party plugins on Windows, not sure if it's the same in Mac. Do you happen to have any plugins installed?

 

Also, when you say you can’t go to Photoshop from Lightroom, are you referring to the “Edit in Photoshop” command in Lightroom? That’s actually a known issue the team is currently investigating. If you have a moment, feel free to check out this thread for more info: https://adobe.ly/45pUvTd

 

Are you able to open Photoshop normally outside of Lightroom, or is the issue only happening when you try to launch it from Lightroom?

Thanks again!
Alek

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N
NootkaRoseAuthor
Known Participant
August 20, 2025

@Aleke

Thanks for your prompt response.

Yes, it's the same in Mac. I do not have any plugins installed.

I am referring to the  "Edit in Photoshop" command and will check out the thread as you suggest.

I am able to open Photoshop outside of Lightroom but only while holding down the shift key. Otherwise the icon will "bounce" as if it is about to open but closes again immediately, unless I hold down the shift key.

Sameer K
Community Manager
Sameer KCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 20, 2025

Thanks for the updates, @NootkaRose. Apart from the Lightroom Classic 'Edit in Photoshop' issue, Photoshop v26.10 is now available via the Creative Cloud desktop app. 

 

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

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