Photoshop 2020 21.1.0 freeze at startup on Windows 10

[antonio.ruiz]

Hi, after updating, the program freeze when the splash screen appears, being impossible to continue, just to end the task.

If I try to run it as administrator it works, but I lose basics like drag and drop or opening a psd file double-clicking, I can only do it with File > Open. I'm using Windows 10, totally up-to-date.

It's very annoying, and I've unistalled and reinstalled several times. If I install an older version, same thing happens. Adobe has messed up with the permissions somehow?

So frustrating...

[nikunj.m]

Hi there,

We are sorry about the experience with Photoshop.

Would you mind checking the steps mentioned in the article here: https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/kb/required-permissions-for-photoshop0.html

You can also try to create a new administrative user account on the computer and run Photoshop in that to check if it works or if you experience the same issues. Please check: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4026923/windows-10-create-a-local-user-or-administrator-acc...

Regards,

Nikunj

[antonio.ruiz]

Hi,

thanks a lot for the answer. Sadly, there are no problems with the permissions, I'm already running an administrator account. Seems that, somehow, the Photoshop update has messed up with file / folder permissions, as it affects the current version and any previous one. If I go back to version 20 I get the same freeze, but with this error prompt:

I can uninstall everything and create another account, but it'd be really time-consuming. That shouldn't be the best solution, I think.

Regards,

Antonio

[JJMack]

The message stated otherwise. 

Use Windows File explored.  Make sure you set its View option to allow you to see normally hidden Folder and Files.

Then find folder "C:\Users\(Your Userid)\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2020" Delete this folder or rename it.  Then start Photoshop 2020. Your user ID will look like you are new Photoshop user. Photoshop should then create all you user id Photoshop 2020 Default files.  See if Photoshop then works.

[antonio.ruiz]

Hi,

thanks for the answer. I've tried that and results are:

- Running normally: freeze at startup, no new folder created

- Running as administrator: starts and creates new folder but I cannot drag and drop files to Photoshop, and double-clicking a psd file does nothing. Only File > Open works.

- Running normally after new created folder: freeze at startup

Regards,

Antonio

[JJMack]

It sound like there is an installation problem.  Un install Photoshop. Download and run Adobe cleaner. Then install Photoshop. cc cleaner tool installation problems 

[antonio.ruiz]

Thanks a lot. When I follow the steps, I uninstall Photoshop, restart and, when I run AdobeCreativeCloudCleanerTool.exe, Photoshop doesn't appear on the list of apps to be cleaned. Should I uninstall & reinstall everything?

[antonio.ruiz]

Now I've tried all the things I'm able to think of:

- I've deleted all traces of any installation, even the services and startup items that Adobe left running when everything's uninstalled (why, by the way?)

- I've created new administrator accounts

- I've used a restoration point on Windows 10

Always the same result. Photoshop freezes at startup. Pretty frustrating...

[JJMack]

I have never had to use the cleaner. If Photoshop is not listed is there anything like all Adobe applications in the list. Adobe hides thing on your machine only adobe knows where that junk is stored. That junk may  need to be cleaned off you system.  There are many bugs in 21.1.0 I have reinstalled 21.0.3

[antonio.ruiz]

Yes, too many hidden files and services beyond our control. Wisest solution is a full OS reinstall... and to avoid updates (unless you're fully covered by restoration points or Time Machine backups).