Photoshop brushes disappear every time I open the app

[Ema35383097kbpq]

Hello! 
I have a list of custom brushes downloaded from various areas, and whenever I close the app and re-open it later, they're all gone, including any features placed on the window. 
How do I stop it from doing this? Thank you 

[Aleke]

Hi @Ema35383097kbpq, thanks so much for reaching out!
Could you let us know which version of Photoshop you’re using and how you’re importing your brushes?
As a first step, it might help to reset your preferences in case any internal files are corrupted. Just make sure to back up your custom settings first, since this will remove custom brushes, workspaces, and other preferences.
You can follow the steps here:
https://adobe.ly/4nDGnf7
Let me know how it goes!
Alek

[Claire H.]

Hi @Ema35383097kbpq, I'm just checking in to see if the suggestion helped or if you are still running into this issue? Let us know how things are going. Happy to keep troubleshooting with you if needed. Thanks! ^CH

[Trevor.Dennis · Accepted solution]

I am not 100% sure on this, but I think you can double click a .abr brush file and it will load to Photoshop, but it will only exist in Photoshop settings.  What you need to do to make them permenent is place the .abr file in the presets folder.  On Windows, and Photoshop 2026, that is:

C:\Users\[Your User Name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop 2026\Presets\Brushes

Note: you might need to make Hidden Items viewable in File Explorer (the default is for this to be turned off).

Is this what is happening in your situation?