Photoshop 2026 'File>Open'

[Pat23389944ei29]

Do we know if there is (or if it will be patched in) to switch to the Legacy version of File>Open.  The new version opens a new UI box where I now have to press another button to access the files on my local machine.  

This is the kind of UX change that should always be optional.  I have seen this with all software recently where they are adding 'Home' screens and extra steps to open or save files. 

Be great if someone from Adobe could comment on if this will be adapted to allow for legacy use case. 

[Jeff Arola]

From within Photoshop look under Edit>Preferences>File Handling to verify Default file location is set to On your computer

When using File>Open clicking On your computer should be sticky.

Maybe your referring to the actual Home Screen which can be disabled under Edit>Preferences>General by unchecking Auto show the Home Screen

[Pat23389944ei29]

Hi Jeff, 

Thanks for your reply, I have the Default File Location set to 'On your Computer' which I hoped would fix it. But the new window still shows up and I have to click the 'On your Computer' button at the bottom of the new window. 

I have disabled the Home screen as well. Which still works.  I'm hoping this is a bug and they will fix it with an update. 

Thanks again for your reply.

[Sameer K]

Hey, @Pat23389944ei29. Welcome to the Photoshop Community. You've got some good advice from Jeff.  Please share the system info from Photoshop Help > System info > Copy & paste into a text document > upload & attach here

Could you also share a quick video recording of the interface you see when you use the File > Open command? I only see the Explorer file browser window on my work and personal machines, and the option appears to be sticky, retaining the last file that was opened.

Ensure there are no stale preferences in your Photoshop. Go to the location of the preference folder below and rename it to backup.

• Windows 10/11: Users/[user name]/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
• You can press Press the Windows key > Enter 'Run' > Enter %APPDATA%\Adobe
• Rename the Adobe Photoshop folder by adding a .old at the end. (Adobe Photoshop 2026 > Rename > Adobe Photoshop 2026. old), you can later restore these preferences if needed.(https://adobe.ly/4860qM9)
• Restart the computer.

These changes will provide a fresh start to Photoshop, much like a new installation.

Let me know how it goes.

Thanks!

Sameer K

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

[Pat23389944ei29 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Sameer K 

Thank you for your reply.  I fully uninstalled all versions of Photoshop from my system this morning and only installed the lastest 27.0 (2026) version of Photoshop. 

This is the UI I was getting whenever I tried to open(or reopen files) 

However after removing all my Photoshop versions and settings/preferences.  The UI is now functioning as you described. When I open a file from my computer it now sticks to that behavior. 

It is frustrating that a simple update doesn't work and I had to remove all my Photoshop versions and settings but at least it is now working as expected.  

Thank you for your time.

Warm Regards,
P.