Photoshop Ninja

Photoshop Troubleshooting – Deleting Photoshop preference files when things really go wrong

Very occasionally Photoshop can really start acting strange, and if none of the troubleshooting tips on this site have helped you sometimes the only cure for a problem in Photoshop is to trash the preference files. Yea, you can go digging around your system for them, but there is a quicker way!

Photoshop opens, writes and saves to these files a-lot, and sometimes they can become corrupted. Why – I can’t tell you, but I know this little trick has solved all manner of problems when nothing else seems to work!

Obviously, this is a last resort option, as it will have to re-set up all preferences again, which takes a-lot less time than scratching your head and restarting your computer, just in-case it works this time!!

You delete the Photoshop preference files by holding down the Apple, Shift and Option keys when you start Photoshop.

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Written by Jonny Allbut - freelance graphic designer
Last modified: 20 April, 2007 (16:00) | First published: 20 April, 2007
Filed under Photoshop Troubleshooting 3 Comments »

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3 Comments »

1. 

   Comment by Jo

   April 28, 2007 @ 6:18 pm

   So if I were to use Photoshop on a PC, which three keys would I hold at startup to delete the preference files? Ctrl + Shift + Alt? or WinKey + Shift + Alt?

2. 

   Comment by Jonny

   April 30, 2007 @ 11:49 am

   I’m no PC user I’m afraid Jo, but I’m guessing that it would be Ctrl+Shift+Alt

   I have been thinking for a while on how to best implement both Mac and PC shortcuts on this site. I want it to be as easy as possible for me as I will need to update the whole site! I am working on a couple of solutions in-between work and will probably incorporate this functionality into the new version of this site which I am working on. Don’t hold your breath though – it may be a few months yet!

3. 

   Comment by Letur

   August 10, 2008 @ 12:54 am

   Thanks thanks so much !!

   I moved my scratch disc and I wasn’t able to start the photoshop I was near to reinstall it- but by delete the preference files it start again !!!

   thanks!!!

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