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seeabigail
New Participant
October 1, 2024
Answered

Keyboard Shortcuts from one computer to another

  • October 1, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 2394 views

I cannot seem to figure out how to get my keyboard shortcuts from my old computer to my new computer. I was using photoshop 2024 on my old computer as well as my new one. I have saved the .kys file but for the life of me cannot get it to load in photoshop. I've migrated my settings to many new computers over the years but for some reason cannot get it to work this time! 

Correct answer JacquesCapeTown

Hi,

On a Mac these are the locations that hold the files controlling your keyboard shortcuts and workspaces:

 

Indesign:

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/InDesign Shortcut Sets/ (look for the .indk file inside)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/Workspaces/ (look for the .xml file)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/Find-Change Queries/Text/ (if you have any personalised find/change queries.

 

Photoshop:

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings/Keyboard Shortcuts (look for the Keyboard Shortcuts.psp file)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings/WorkSpaces & Worspaces (Modified) (Put your psw in both the Workspace and Workspace (modified) folders)

 

Remember to 'load' both the keyboard shortcuts and the workspaces (they wont appear by default).

 

Good luck,

JK

3 replies

J
JacquesCapeTownCorrect answer
Inspiring
August 21, 2025

Hi,

On a Mac these are the locations that hold the files controlling your keyboard shortcuts and workspaces:

 

Indesign:

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/InDesign Shortcut Sets/ (look for the .indk file inside)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/Workspaces/ (look for the .xml file)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign/Version/en_AE/Find-Change Queries/Text/ (if you have any personalised find/change queries.

 

Photoshop:

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings/Keyboard Shortcuts (look for the Keyboard Shortcuts.psp file)

/Users/~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2025 Settings/WorkSpaces & Worspaces (Modified) (Put your psw in both the Workspace and Workspace (modified) folders)

 

Remember to 'load' both the keyboard shortcuts and the workspaces (they wont appear by default).

 

Good luck,

JK

PhotoXoop
PhotoXoop
New Participant
July 2, 2025

Locate the correct folder on your new computer:

The .kys file must be placed in the exact location Photoshop looks for custom shortcuts. Here's where it typically goes (adjust for your OS and username):
Copy your .kys  file into that folder.

 

Restart Photoshop

 

Load the shortcuts:

Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts...

In the dropdown next to “Set,” you should now see your saved shortcut file.

Select it and click OK.



PhotoXoop Jewelry Retouche
L
live4last
New Participant
July 2, 2025

Hello, thanks for the reply. The folder location does not look like it was added to your response, that is the main thing I am trying to track down. Thanks!

Trevor.Dennis
Trevor.Dennis
Community Expert
July 3, 2025

If you'd started this thread then we would know what operating system you are using.  For Windows thje file is in the Photoshop Settings folder.  You need Hidden Files & Folders (Windows 10) Hidden Items (Windows 11) turned on

 

I would start at:

 

C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe

and search for Shortcuts.

 

You'll get a few results, so try updating/changing a shortcut and searching again, and the relevant file will have that day's date and time.

 

    E
    E bikes
    New Participant
    October 1, 2024
    Copy the .kys file from your old computer. On your new computer, place the .kys file in the correct folder Open Photoshop, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts and select your .kys file from the drop-down menu. Click OK to apply the shortcuts. This should load your saved shortcuts.
    S
    seeabigailAuthor
    New Participant
    October 1, 2024

    Yeah - as I said I have done this before. What is the "correct" folder?? I can't seem to find it and yes I know how to select the keyboard shortcut in photoshop to change them once I've gotten it in the photoshop settings folder. I'm asking for the specific folder not a general overview of the process which I already know how to do. 

      P
      Presentation Guy
      Community Expert
      October 1, 2024

      Try these folders: 

      ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop 2024/Presets/Keyboard Shortcuts

      ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop 2024 Settings/WorkSpaces

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