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Mark Faccone
Known Participant
May 21, 2019
Answered

Plugin still listed in filters after uninstalling the plugin

  • May 21, 2019
  • 7 replies
  • 5563 views

I was told this was a bug In the software that had some kind of workaround posted in these forums.  I can't find it.

I have photoshop elements 2018.  After removing a plugin... DXO Viewpoint 2 and upgrading to Viewpoint 3... the filter for both are showing.

There is no plugin installed for viewpoint 2 anymore and there isn't any files on my MAC that refer to viewpoint 2

Anyway to edit this out of photoshop?

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Greg_S.

      @Fotomaker01RA, go to the following folder and delete the plug-in file or folder containing the plug-in:

      C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 2023\Plug-Ins

       

      Added:  I just noticed that you are inquiring about Photoshop CC.  In that case, go to the following folder:

      C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CC

       

      This is the Photoshop Elements Forum.  In future you should post in the Photoshop Ecosystem forum.

      7 replies

      Greg_S.
      Community Expert
      Greg_S.Community Expert
      Community Expert
      December 31, 2022

      @Fotomaker01RA, in my experience, plug-in developers do a terrible job of install/uninstall.  Those that have standalone and plug-in applications almost never delete the plug-in file - only the main standalone application.  I don't blame Adobe for not deleting the plug-ins during an uninstall.  After all, users frequently have to unistall/reinstall the program for a number of reasons.  It would add to the stress of reinstalling if you have to find all of the plug-ins to reinstall those too.  Normally, there is no need to delete the plug-ins and they can be used for updated versions. This is particularly true for CC which updates on a regular basis.  Unfortunately, Elements does not keep its plug-ins in a common folder.  But it is easy to copy plug-ins from one Elements version to the next.

       

      And, thanks to your post, I cleaned up my own plug-in setup which included some trials that I decided not to buy.

        F
        Fotomaker01RA
        Known Participant
        December 31, 2022

        I agree that under normal situations I wouldn't uninstall my Ps plugins if they're going to be updated. And, as you noted, most of my 3rd party programs do have both standalone & plugin versions. My workflow is in Ps, so I rarely use the standalones unless needing them for Raw processing.

         

        But I was beta testing a program that had tons of models associated with it & it doesn't have a recurring beta plugin. So I didn't want it in my Filter list and/or raising questions when I record educ. videos for my YouTube channel on how to use Ps for fine art photography

         

        The other "troublesome" program that I wanted to rid my Filter list of was for a program I tried as a free trial and decided not to purchase (for various reasons). So, again, I hated having it enlarge my (already large) list of plugins under Filter.

         

        Really appreciate you taking the time to write. And for providing the helpful (needed) answer of how to achieve my goal. Happy New Yr.

          Greg_S.
          Community Expert
          Greg_S.Community ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          December 31, 2022

          @Fotomaker01RA, go to the following folder and delete the plug-in file or folder containing the plug-in:

          C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 2023\Plug-Ins

           

          Added:  I just noticed that you are inquiring about Photoshop CC.  In that case, go to the following folder:

          C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Plug-Ins\CC

           

          This is the Photoshop Elements Forum.  In future you should post in the Photoshop Ecosystem forum.

            F
            Fotomaker01RA
            Known Participant
            December 31, 2022

            Hi Greg,  Just returned home, saw your note above & tried it on my Win 11 Ps 2023 (CC).

             

            I didn't delete the entire Common Files plugins folder b/c I don't want to lose all my plugins. But - using the File Path you provided - I went to that folder & looked specifically for the 2 programs the uninstall (& various manual uninstalls of .8bf files by me....in different "Plugins" folders on my PC) didn't remove & I only deleted the 2 programs that were still showing up in my Ps 2023 Filter list. Ps was closed when I did it. I emptied my Recycle Bin & rebooted the PC. (Overkill, much?!)

             

            Just launched Ps again & now the errant 3rd party filter names are finally gone. I really appreciate your pointer! Thx!!!

             

            I posted here (not realizing it was Elements oriented) b/c it was where I got pointed doing a search for the issue on the Adobe forums. I always search 1st so as not to be redundant (& ideally more self-reliant...).

             

            It is puzzling to me though that 2 most recently installed 3rd party programs, when uninstalled from Ps 2023 (as noted in my post it never happened in Ps 2022 & earlier & b/c I beta test I'm regularly installing/uninstalling with no prior issues) they left files scattered throughout my PC in various & sundry Ps/Adobe plugins file locations. I realize that's not your issue, but my investigative mind makes me wonder if the 3rd party devs didn't get (or, aren't using) some updated developer code that would tell them how to build in the s/w hooks to remove all program elements in their uninstaller code.

             

            Thx again! You solved my immediate issue.  

            F
            Fotomaker01RA
            Known Participant
            December 31, 2022

            I see this original post was from 2019. But I just started having the same issue in Ps 2023 (rel. 24.0.1 - I haven't updated to the latest rel. b/c of known bugs eliminating the brand new Hide & Fill feature) running on a Win 11 Pro desktop PC.

             

            I uninstalled 2 3rd party plugins from 2 different companies since updating to Ps 2023 in the past 2-3 wks. using the "Uninstall Program" via my PC's Control Panel. That is always what I've done in past. And, I always see the uninstalled program removed from my Programs List. That's how it worked again in these most recent 2 instances also.

             

            BUT, in both cases - like the original poster - I still have residual listings for the uninstalled programs in my Photoshop 2023 Filter list. the "guts" of the programs are gone, so they don't launch. But the names are in the Ps Filter list and cluttering up my Filter list unnecessarily.

             

            Like the OP, I've already performed all the same steps they did (including getting suggestions from devs at the companies whose program names remain in my Ps 2023 Filter list). I went on comprehensive 'search & destroy' missions on my PC and deleted all references to the unwanted programs and emptied the recycle bin on my PC - nothing helps. The listings are still there.

             

            Because this Only Started since I've updated to Ps 2023 (& I've already worked with the 3rd party s/w producing developers) this seems to be an Adobe issue/bug. I know Adobe's typical response is to point the finger back at users. But it's too big a coincidence that this only happened (consistently with the only 2 programs changes I've made) with Ps 2023. 

             

            Who, at Adobe, can troubleshoot your code relating to Plugins uninstalls? And, if there have been changes to how that process is handled - Have proactive alerts/updates re: changes in Developer Code gone out to major producers of 3rd party Ps plugins (like Topaz Labs, Skylum - Luminar, etc.)?

             

            Thank you. I really want those obsolete, unwanted software program listings removed from my Ps Filters list ASAP and I absolutely won't do either a fresh install of Ps (too much to lose for likely no good return) or a full preferences reboot b/c everything worked fine wrt s/w uinstalls prior to Ps 2023 (ditto - the potential for loss).

             

            Thank you in advance for action at the Adobe side.

            M
            Mark FacconeAuthor
            Known Participant
            May 21, 2019

            Here is what DXO support told me

            This issue has been reported previously to us by a few customers. It is bug in how Photoshop Elements handles information stored for third-party plugin programs and can happen in rare cases on certain computer systems. The issue has been reported to Adobe by ourselves as well as those customers affected by the problem. In the meantime, you may want to check the Adobe support sites. Several customers have reported to us that they found a resolution that worked for them on one of these sites. No specific information about the site, however, was given to us.

            M
            Mark FacconeAuthor
            Known Participant
            May 21, 2019

            Since I have DXO Viewpoint 3 installed... those files are where they are supposed to be.  I even have a CC folder when I used to subscribe to Photoshop CC.  No plugin for V2.

            I uninstalled Viewpoint 2 so those files are gone, yet it is still listed in the filter column and in the about plugin column in PSE16

            M
            Mark FacconeAuthor
            Known Participant
            May 21, 2019

            Adobe Photoshop Elements Version: 16.0 (20171215.m.115767)  x64

            Operating System: Mac OS 10.14.5

            English

            I have looked inside those locations.  The plugin is not there.  Did a complete search of the HD for the plugin file.  its been totally removed. 

            I am asking DXO at the moment if they could resend me the link to the older plugin that I removed to update to the newest version.

            Jeff Arola
            Community Expert
            Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            May 21, 2019

            Try this:

            Click on your desktop, in the Go menu click Go to Folder

            paste the following and click Go

            /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/Elements 16

            Hopefully you should see the DXO plugin, at least that's where they are installed on this mac.

            M
            Mark FacconeAuthor
            Known Participant
            May 21, 2019

            Nothing in that folder

            I have used EasyFind showing hidden files as well.  The plugin is not located on this computer.  I even turned off Time Machine thinking it might be picking up something from a backup.  No joy.

            Its just not anywhere on my drives yet still shows up in the filter list on PSE 16

            Sahil.Chawla
            Adobe Employee
            Sahil.Chawla
            Adobe Employee
            May 21, 2019

            Hi Mark,

            That does not sound right, as the uninstalled plugins are still listed in the Filter menu inside Photoshop Elements, could you please let us know the operating system you're working on?

            Could you try reinstalling the plugin and then removing it again?


            Also, please check here and delete the plugins from these locations and relaunch PSE:

            /Applications/Adobe Photoshop Elements 2018/Support Files/Plug-Ins
            On occasion they also get installed in /Library/Application Support/Adobe/Plug-Ins/Elements 2018

            Regards,
            Sahil

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