Access the default Preferences file located at:
/Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop Elements 17 Settings
Last updated on
Nov 3, 2025
Unable to launch Photoshop Elements on Mac due to full scratch disks
Issue
When you launch Photoshop Elements Editor on a Mac machine, you receive the following error message:
Could not complete your request because the scratch disks are full
Reason
There is not enough space available on your scratch or startup disk to launch Photoshop Elements Editor.
Solution 1: Create 5 GB of free disk space
Remove some files from your disk to have at least 5 GB of disk space available on the scratch or startup disk.
Solution 2: Reset the Preferences file
Rename the Preferences file by suffixing _old to the filename. The renamed Preferences file will be:
/Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop Elements 17 Settings_old
(Optional) Delete some files from the disk to have at least 5 GB of free disk space.
Restart Photoshop Elements.
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