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.

3 Responses to “Photoshop Troubleshooting - Deleting Photoshop preference files when things really go wrong”

  1. Jo says:

    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. Jonny says:

    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. Letur says:

    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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