Navigate to C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Temp\CreativeCloud\ACC.
Last updated on
Nov 19, 2025
Learn how to resolve error codes 42 and 72 "Unable to access a critical file/directory" during Adobe Creative Cloud installation or updates on Windows.
These errors occur when Windows is unable to verify Adobe's digital certificates due to group policy restrictions or missing root certificates.
Before you begin
Verify whether certificate validation issues are causing the failure by checking your logs and digital signatures.
Check the ACC.log file
Open the ACC.log file inside the ACC folder, and look for the following error: | [ERROR] | | ACC | LBS | WorkflowManager | | | 7248 | PIM Validation Failed:Process certificate didn't match to Adobe certificate! CANameChain:
Check the digital certificate
Navigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Creative Cloud\ACC.
Right-click Creative Cloud.exe, and select Properties.
Go to the Digital Signatures tab, and select Details.
Under Digital Signature Information, look for the message This digital signature is OK.
If you see a different message or an error in the log, try each solution in order.
Group policy settings block certificate validation
Follow these steps to enable certificate validation.
Caution
Changing Group Policy settings affects how Windows manages security and certificate validation. Make sure you've administrator access before modifying these settings.
Press Windows + R.
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Navigate to Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Public Key Policies > Certificate Path Validation Settings.
In the Certificate Path Validation Settings Properties dialog, go to the Network Retrieval tab.
Select Define these policy settings.
Select Automatically update certificates in the Microsoft Root Certificate Program if it's deselected.
Select OK to save the changes.
Restart your computer and try installing or updating the app again.
The installation or update completes successfully after enabling certificate validation.
Required digital certificates are missing or outdated
Windows needs valid root certificates to verify Adobe apps. If these certificates are missing or outdated, the installation fails. You can verify this issue in the ACC.log file, which lists any missing or untrusted certificates.
Follow these steps to update certificates.
Install all available Windows updates, then restart your computer.
If that doesn't resolve the issue, download and manually install the latest root certificates.
Press Windows + R, type certmgr.msc, and select OK.
In the Certificate Manager, expand Trusted Root Certificate Authorities.
Right-click Certificates under that folder, then select All Tasks > Import.
Browse to the downloaded certificate files and follow the prompts to complete the import.
Restart your computer and try the installation again.
The installation or update completes successfully after updating the root certificates.
