Resetting your Photoshop Preferences

Before We Begin...

Resetting Photoshop's Preferences file will reset a few things beyond just your preferences. You will also reset your color settings, custom keyboard shortcuts, or workspaces you've created. If you want to keep these, make sure you save them before you move forward with the reset.

Resetting Photoshop Preferences in Photoshop CC

Step 1: Open The Preferences Dialog Box

To open the Preferences dialog box on a Windows PC, click on the Edit menu at the top of the screen, choose Preferences, and then select General. On a Mac, go up to the Photoshop CC menu, click on Preferences, then choose General.

Step 2: Choose "Reset Preferences On Quit"

This will open the Preferences dialog box set to the General options. Here, you'll find the Reset Preferences On Quit option. Click on it to select it.

Step 3: Click "Yes" To Delete The Preferences When Quitting

A small popup window will ask you if you're sure you want to reset the preferences when you quit Photoshop. Click OK to confirm this.

Step 4: Close And Relaunch Photoshop

Quit Photoshop by going to File -> Exit for Windows or Photoshop -> Quit Photoshop CC for Mac. The next time you open Photoshop CC, it will launch with the preferences set back to the default.

Resetting Photoshop Preferences in All Versions (CC Included)

Step 1: Quit Photoshop

First, exit the Photoshop app. On a Windows PC, go to the File menu in the Menu Bar along the top of your screen and choose Exit. On a Mac, go to the Photoshop menu in the Menu Bar and choose Quit Photoshop:

Step 2: Open Photoshop While Pressing A Keyboard Shortcut

With Photoshop closed, press and hold Shift+Ctrl+Alt for Windows or Shift+Command+Option for Mac on your keyboard, and open Photoshop the way you normally would while these keys are held down.

Step 3: Delete The Photoshop Settings File

Before Photoshop opens, a message will display asking if you want to delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file. This is your Preferences file that we want to reset. Click Yes when you see this. Photoshop will then open with all of your preferences restored to their default settings.

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