Photoshop still randomly resets hotkeys and workspace

[Reality Reimagined]

I'm using version 25.12.1 and after the recommendations of another community member, the program still randomly resets itself.  It will either a.) reset the workspace, plugings, actions or b.) will reset the hotkeys.

It's a random thing and happens at least once or twice a month.

Any suggestions - I've uninstalled and reinstalled.  I've made sure that it's being run in Administrator mode.  I'm signed in to the Creative Cloud when I run it.  

[CMass]

Hey @Reality Reimagined, 

It looks like you're using an older version of Photoshop, does this happen in the most current version of Photoshop (26.4.1)?  

Check out what's new here: https://adobe.ly/4bjx13q

^CM

[Reality Reimagined]

Sadly I've had all sorts of minor little issues with version 26 - the most maddening being that the brushes are constantly registering with pressure sensitivity on, when it is not.  So I've been using version 25.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Do you ever change between different workspaces, or reset the workspace you are using?  Ether will change shortcuts, and toolbar back to their defaults unless you have a custom workspace that includes custom shortcuts and toolbars.

You can make this really work for you by setting up shortcuts according to context.  For instance, I use the Michael Ninness shortcuts to arrange document windows, and these are stored with my defualt workspace, so if I need to use Free Transform Step & Repeat (Shift Ctrl Alt T) I have to swap to the Essentials workspace that has all of the Photoshop default shortcuts.

You can streamline this process further by triggering short actions with Function keys that set, and reset a workspace.  It is very satisfying tidying a messed up workspace with a single key press.

[Reality Reimagined]

Thank you for the response and the insight on multiple workspaces, but to answer your question - I only use one workspace and I customize it to fit my needs.  That's why it's such an issue when I load PS to find everything has been reverted for no reason.

[Nancy OShea]

I had the same issue with an earlier version of PS on my old PC, usually after monthly Win10 updates.

My old workstation needed replacing anyway.  So I held off doing more until I got a new PC with Win11 that could handle the latest version of Photoshop.  No problems since.

Reset Preferences

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

Failing that, run Adobe Cleaner Tool, followed by a clean installation of latest Photoshop.

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

Hope that helps.

[Trevor.Dennis]

Thank you for the response and the insight on multiple workspaces, but to answer your question - I only use one workspace and I customize it to fit my needs. 

By Reality Reimagined

You say that you 'customise your one workspace'.

What exactly is the p[rocess you use?  

Do you simply move panels etc.into place, and leave them there?

Which workspace do you use as the basis?  i.e. is it the default Essentials?  Only — and I don't know this for sure — but if you have Essentials selected and reset Preferences, I have a feeling that would return shortcutsa back to their defaults.

Whatever is happening, the answer remains that if you get everything how you like it, (shortcuts, Toolbar, Menus) and save it as a custom workspace, that will cement your settings as the new default.

[Reality Reimagined]

My apologies - I do use the Essentials workspace and then customize from there.  I've tried saving and using a custom workspace, but that too has been reverted back to default (again for no reason.)  But that was version 24.  I'll give it a go for version 25 and see what happens.  Thank you for the advice!

[Nancy OShea]

...the program randomly resets itself...  happens at least once or twice a month.

By Reality Reimagined

============

How old is your computer?

Which version of Windows?

[Reality Reimagined]

I'm using the most up-to-date version of Windows 11 and the machine hardware is updated each year for the pieces needed.