problem going from two screens to one screen

[djmattyz]

i use photoshop at home with an external monitor (drawing tablet) so i have photoshop , the tool bar and some of the menus on that second screen so that i can access them with the stylus depending on what i am doing.

the computer is set to extended desktop in this case

when i go out on a job often times i need to load up photoshop for certain tasks

but i have found it impossible to use, when i have no second monitor connected, photoshop loads to the primary monitor, BUT, it leaves the toolbar and some other menus on the second monitor, which i cant see, because there is no second monitor. 

there seems to be no way to drag them back onto the primary monitor in this case.

any way to fix this?

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Have you tried Window > Workspace > Essentials?

[JJMack]

And if Essentials is messed up reset Essentials.  If you left the laptop awake goingg from home work and had Photoshop open with a Floating image window open on the external display you may be able to close it using Alt+Tab and Xing out the window,.

[Salandora]

Thanks JJMack! I've had the same issue and resetting Essentials fixed it for me 🙂 

[Ehin3]

Alas, resetting Essentials does NOT work for me. MacBook Pro Sequoia 15.4.1. Similar problem with my previous set up, too. Photoshop would not remember my Workspaces consistently.

[Ehin3]

This is what worked for me from: https://8designers.com/blog/how-do-i-get-my-photoshop-back-to-normal

Resetting Preferences

If resetting the workspace didn't solve your problem, there might be an issue with your preferences. Resetting preferences can often fix unexpected behavior in Photoshop. Follow these steps:

1. Step 1: Close Photoshop if it's open.
2. Step 2: Hold down the following keys: Ctrl + Alt + Shift (Windows) or Command + Option + Shift (Mac).
3. Step 3: While holding down these keys, launch Photoshop from its shortcut or application folder.
• Note: A dialog box will appear asking if you want to delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file. Click "Yes" to proceed.
4. Step 4: Release the keys when you see the message "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file?"
5. Step 5: Click "Yes" to confirm and reset Photoshop's preferences.

This process will restore Photoshop to its default preferences, resolving any issues related to customization or corrupted settings.

[Trevor.Dennis]

My goodness @Ehin3  That is a very old method of resetting Preferences. I didn't know it still works, (if it does with current versions.

The easy way to reset Preferences is from the Preferences panel

The safest way is to reset Preferences manually.

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/photoshop/using/preferences.html#Manually

If things are still messed up, then you might need to reinstall after using the Cleaner tool.

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

[Trevor.Dennis]

As c.p. says, just set up different workspaces according to what screens are available.  You can even make actions to switch between those workspaces.  I have F6 set to switch to and reset my three screen workspace, and F7 set to switch to and reset Essentials.  And don't forget that you can save custom Toolbar settings and shortcuts along with custom workspaces.  It is such  an incredibly powerful and useful way to save time and streamline your workflow, I can't understand why not everyone does this.

[andrew.mckinley]

It is "an incredibly powerful tool" until it doesn't work. Always at an inconvenient and frustrating moment… Selecting workspaces and resetting does not always give me access to my palettes and windows.