Problem: I'm finding myself having to reset my settings file every time I open Photoshop because for some reason it'll choose to not click & drag

[Andy_McG11]

Hey Folks,

So as the title suggests, I'm having some real problems... I have to reset my settings file (ctrl + alt + Shift @ start) everytime I open Photoshop because it'll decide to just stop letting me click and drag.

It'll decide to to it at random points during a project to, forcing me to save & reset.

Has anyone come across this before? Is there a simple fix?

Specs: Dell XPS 15 (9500)

32GB Ram

GTX 960m

I7 6700HQ

Windows ver. 1703

Photoshop ver. 2017.1.1

I can't crop, adjust sliders, fine tune colours, move layers, select any submenus.

It's really starting to wind me up and I have no idea for a fix. I reset my settings file, I've uninstalled photoshop a couple of times and reinstalled with nothing working. I've only ever seen that 'synergy' is a cause of this problem, but I don't have that installed and never have.

The problem seems to happen when I click out of photoshop and click back in. When I reset everything is fine, but if I leave the application and return that's when it seems to start giving me problems.

[SteveWeinrebe]

Post a screen shot of your desktop when this happens, in case there is a clue there to see.

[Trevor.Dennis · Accepted solution]

When resetting Preferences doesn't take, it is worth having a look at permissions but I thought that was an issue more usually associated with OSX systems.  There is a wee bit about permissions and Windows in the Troubleshooting Guide (#13)

Solve Adobe Photoshop problems and issues by keeping it up-to-date

You mentioned not having Synergy, but it is worth eliminating any other third party plugins or extensions by starting Photoshop with the Shift key held down (which forces Photoshop to ignore all Plugins and Extensions). 

When you reinstalled Photoshop, did you use the Cleaner tool?   My gut tells me that your issue is related to Windows _and_ Photoshop, but without a clear idea of what is going on, it is worth being thorough.

Have you tried restarting your computer and having just Photoshop running?   Does this happen with all photoshop documents?  New documents as well?

I don't feel like I have suggested anything with a strong likelihood of fixing your problem, but this will keep the discussion going.