Latest Update is a Disaster [2020]

[Clark S.]

Anyone else feel that the latest Photoshop CC update is a disaster? Why does Adobe do such frequent updates, and change the interface willy-nilly? Now, when I open multiple RAW files, I can no longer view the file numbers unless I click on a specific file - irritating, at the very least. Also, the Photoshop window doesn't fit on my high-res screen any longer so, if I want to cancel out of a session, I can't! *** *** Adobe, can you please just leave things alone unless and until you have a major functional improvement ready?!!!

[mjmdvm]

Sorry you're having so much trouble vikireed. I'm a hobbyist so I don't have your level of frustration, but I can sure understand it. I was in the same boat a couple years ago with the fiasco of the editable toolbar in Illustrator. I wound up having to do a complete uninstall of every instance of AI on my PC. I first removed them via the CC app and then cleaned out the "leftovers" using the free versions of Revo Uninstaller and CC Cleaner.  I also manually removed all my  presets.  Then I installed a fresh copy of the version of AI that worked. That held me over until Adobe finally fixed the toolbar issue.

The point is perhaps there something corrupted in one of your installs that needs to be cleaned out to get PS2020 to work the way you need it too. 

If that works then be sure to turn off the auto update feature like jane-e suggested. 

[hodonnel]

I totally agree I'm using my old CS6 because 2021 and 2020 are constantly failing and I'm going to alert my university who pay for  tens of thousands of copies that they subscribe for to take legal action

[hodonnel]

I am going to advise my University to stop sponsoring Adobe until they clean up their act. That tens of thousands of licenses. I have wasted days with Adobe and resolved nothing and am reduced to working with an old copy of CS6. I am investigating a class action about this

[vertisrich]

I used Photoshop from the very beginning. Got out of the business for three years but now I'm back. Photoshop is almost unusable now! I don't know why they would screw up such a great app

[NB, colourmanagement net]

@vikireed 

Perhaps try a thorough reset of Photoshop preferences?

(read this entire post before acting please)

Resetting restores Photoshop's internal preferences, which are saved when Photoshop closes.

If they become corrupt then various issues can occur.

Here’s some info on how to do that:

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

Manually removing preferences files is the most complete method for restoring Photoshop to its default state: 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

Note re macOS: The user Library folder is hidden by default.

To access files in the hidden user Library folder, see here for how to access hidden user library files.

https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

Unexpected behaviour may indicate damaged preferences. Restoring preferences to their default settings is a good idea when trying to troubleshoot unexpected behaviours in Photoshop. check out the video

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#reset_preferences

Learn how to access and modify Photoshop preferences and customise per your frequent workflows

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html

And here’s an earlier forum discussion as an aid to understanding

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/quick-tips-how-to-reset-photoshop-pre...

You may want to backup your settings and custom presets, brushes & actions before restoring Photoshop's preferences.

Here is general info about that:  https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/preferences.html#BackupPhotoshoppreferences

Before you reset your preferences

in case of future issues, I suggest you make a copy as Adobe may need one to check problematic references. 

Quit Photoshop.
Go to Photoshop's Preferences folder

Preferences file locations: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/preference-file-names-locations-photoshop.html\

  [on MacOS see: Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings

  Note for those on macOS: - be aware that the user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS.

  https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/access-hidden-user-library-files.html

  In the Finder, open the “Go” menu whilst holding down the Option (Alt) key.

  Library will now appear in the list - below the current user's “home” directory. ]

Now you can drag the entire Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder to the desktop or somewhere safe as a back-up of your settings.

Note for those on macOS:

Preference preservation is affected by macOS permissions,

you’ll need to allow Photoshop ‘Full Disk Access’ in your Mac OS Preferences/Security and Privacy

If that doesn't fix the issue:

Go to Preferences > Performance... and uncheck Multithreaded Compositing - and restart Photoshop.

Still hanging? 

Go to Preferences > Performance... click Advanced Settings... and uncheck "GPU Compositing" - then restart Photoshop. 

Still got problems?

It may even be time to reinstall Photoshop.

It’s recommended that you use the Adobe CC cleaner tool to remove all traces first.

(See above about preserving preferences though! It’s worth preserving them unless they are corrupted.)

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

Uninstall Photoshop BUT make sure to choose the option “Yes, remove app preference”.

Once that process finishes, start the installation process and look into the “Advanced Options”. Uncheck “Import previous settings and preferences” and choose to “Remove old versions”.

I hope this helps

neil barstow, colourmanagement net :: adobe forum volunteer

google me "neil barstow colourmanagement" for lots of free articles on colour management