Photoshop CS6 runs at startup automatically

[yanc90389358]

As of a few days ago, Photoshop CS6 began to launch itself automatically during computer startup on Windows 10. There is no image document loaded. I've tried purging the recovery file cache, disabling all Adobe startup apps I could identify in the Startup section of Task Manager (including AdobeAAManager, Bridge, etc.), minimizing CS6 before closing the program, and even disabling Windows 10 Quick Start (which remembers and restores all open windows on the next reboot). I've run CCCleaner, SuperAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, etc. Nothing works. Photoshop CS6 keeps popping up at startup, and it has become a real annoyance. Does anyone have any ideas?

[Trevor.Dennis]

Is it just Photoshop that is doing this, or are all apps that are open when you shut down, opening when you restart Windows 10?

[Trevor.Dennis]

Open the Task Manager (Ctrl Alt Del)

Click on the Start-up tab

if Photoshop is listed and Enabled right click and choose Disable

[yanc90389358]

Hi Trevor,

Thanks for your quick reply. It's only Photoshop launching automatically at Win 10 startup. All other apps stay closed if I close them prior to shutting down, and do not relaunch. After the bootup, when I then exit Photoshop, it stays closed for the duration of my session.

In the Startup tab of Task Manager, there are no listings for Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Creative Cloud. The only apps from Adobe are AcroTray, Adobe CS6 Service Manager, SwitchBoard Server (32 bit), Adobe GC Invoker Utility. At one point I disabled all of them, and Photoshop still popped up at startup.

Best regards, Yan

[Trevor.Dennis]

Does Photoshop open with an image open, and if yes, is it always the same image?

[yanc90389358]

No, it opens without any image loaded. I've also cleared the list of recent documents, which has not fixed it either. I have also tried loading an image, saving it, then closing the program, in order to bring up any auto-recovered files, but there aren't any.

[Trevor.Dennis]

OK, I am running out of ideas.  I can't actually think of how Preferences might affect this, but I'd still be inclined to reset Preferences at this stage.  My apologies when this does not work, as I find it a huge PITA having to reset Preferences.  The problem is that it could be Photoshop or Windows related.  It seems likely that it is Photoshop seeing as that is the app with the errant behaviour.

Is your version of CS6 fully stand alone, or did you install it from the Creative Cloud Application Manager?  I ask because some people prefer to use CS6 because of its compatibility with older plugins.  If yes, then is you Application Manager full up to date?

If not, did you install Photoshop from a downloaded file, and where did you source it from? What version are you running?

Can you correlate the issue with another factor, like updating Windows.  The 1803 Falls update, for instance?

If you decide to go for a reinstall, download the install files again

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cs6-direct-download-links.html

After uninstalling, run the Cleaner tool before reinstalling

Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

If you do all this and the problem persists, then it would probably be a Windows issue.

[yanc90389358]

Hi Trevor,

It's the standalone version of CS6, which I preferred, and it was installed probably 2-3 years ago. Adobe Application Manager tells me all Adobe apps are up to date. The Adobe Photoshop version is 13.0.1 (13.0.1.3 20131024.r.34 2013/10/24:21:00:00) x64.

Since Windows 10 updates itself automatically, I don't recall a coincident update when this happened.

I may have to resort to reinstalling Photoshop, though it's a nuisance.

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

Best regards, Yan

[yanc90389358]

I reinstalled Adobe Photoshop CS6 from the CD, and everything seems normal now. Probably a corrupted file.

[yanc90389358]

Sorry, spoke too soon. After reinstalling Adobe Photoshop CS6, the auto launch problem did not occur for 1-2 restarts. However, Photoshop again started launching itself automatically with startup on Win 10 after that.

Would this be a Windows problem?

[Jeff Arola]

Look in

C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

and see if a photoshop cs6 shortcut is there.

[yanc90389358]

That's a good thought, but no, there isn't a Photoshop CS6 shortcut in that folder. There's also no scheduled task that looks like it would launch Photoshop.

[Jeff Arola]

Do you have any external drives or card readers attached to your computer?

[yanc90389358]

My Win 10 desktop has a C: drive that is an SSD drive and a D: drive that is a regular HDD, to store content. There aren't any other drives  or card readers attached.