Preset Category
Last updated on
Oct 7, 2026
Find file paths and folder locations for default and custom presets on macOS and Windows.
Consult this reference when you need to locate preset files for backup, troubleshooting, migration to a new system, or manual file management outside of Photoshop's preset interface.
Photoshop stores presets in two primary locations: default presets that ship with the application, and user-saved presets created through Save Preset commands. The paths differ between macOS and Windows, and accessing some folders requires showing hidden files.
macOS preset locations
Note
The user Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access it, hold Option while selecting the Go menu in Finder, then select Library.
Adobe does not recommend saving custom presets inside the default presets folder within the Photoshop application folder. Use the user-saved presets location instead to prevent loss during application updates.
Default presets (ship with Photoshop)
The following presets install with Photoshop and include both default-loaded presets and additional presets you can choose to load manually.
|
|
Folder Names |
Path |
|
Default Presets and Scripts |
3DLUTsActionsBlack and WhiteBrushesChannel MixerColor BooksColor SwatchesContoursCurvesDecoDuotonesExposureGuidesHDR ToningHue and SaturationImage SizeLevelsLighting EffectsMenu CustomizationPatternsScriptsStylesToolsVideoWidgetsZoomify |
Applications/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[presets folder name] |
|
Legacy 3D Features (removed v23.0) |
3D PrintersLightsMaterialsMeshesRender SettingsRepousseVolumes |
Applications/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[presets folder name] |
|
Legacy Save for Web (hidden by default since v23.0) |
Optimized ColorsOptimized Output SettingsOptimized SettingsRecently Used OptimizationsSave for Web Preferences |
Applications/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[presets folder name] |
User-saved presets
When you save custom presets through Photoshop's Save Preset commands, they are stored in your user account's Application Support folder by default.
|
Preset Category |
Folder Names |
Path |
|
User Saved Presets |
3D Sketch BrushActionsBlack and WhiteBrushesChannel MixerColor RangeColor SwatchesContoursCurvesDecoDuotonesExposureGuidesHDR ToningHue and SaturationImage SizeLevelsLighting EffectsMenu CustomizationPatternsScriptsStylesToolsVideo |
Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[feature name] |
|
Legacy 3D User Presets |
3D PrintersLightsMaterialsMeshesRender SettingsRepousseVolumes |
Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[feature name] |
|
Legacy Save for Web User Presets |
Optimized ColorsOptimized Output SettingsOptimized Settings |
Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [version]/Presets/[feature name] |
Windows preset locations
Note
The user AppData folder is hidden by default on Windows.
Adobe does not recommend saving custom presets inside the default presets folder within the Photoshop application folder. Use the user-saved presets location instead to prevent loss during application updates.
Default presets (ship with Photoshop)
The following presets install with Photoshop and include both default-loaded presets and additional presets you can choose to load manually.
|
Preset Category |
Folder Names |
Path |
|
Default Presets and Scripts |
3DLUTsActionsBlack and WhiteBrushesChannel MixerColor BooksColor SwatchesContoursCurvesDecoDuotonesExposureGuidesHDR ToningHue and SaturationImage SizeLevelsLighting EffectsMenu CustomizationPatternsScriptsStylesToolsVideoWidgetsZoomify |
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[presets folder name] |
|
Legacy 3D Features (removed v23.0) |
3D PrintersLightsMaterialsMeshesRender SettingsRepousseVolumes |
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[presets folder name] |
|
Legacy Save for Web (hidden by default since v23.0) |
Optimized ColorsOptimized Output SettingsOptimized SettingsRecently Used OptimizationsSave for Web Preferences |
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[presets folder name] |
User-saved presets
When you save custom presets through Photoshop's Save Preset commands, they are stored in your user account's AppData folder by default.
|
Preset Category |
Folder Names |
Path |
|
User Saved Presets |
3D Sketch BrushActionsBlack and WhiteBrushesChannel MixerColor RangeColor SwatchesContoursCurvesDecoDuotonesExposureGuidesHDR ToningHue and SaturationImage SizeLevelsLighting EffectsMenu CustomizationPatternsScriptsStylesToolsVideo |
C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[feature name] |
|
Legacy 3D User Presets |
3D PrintersLightsMaterialsMeshesRender SettingsRepousseVolumes |
C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[feature name] |
|
Legacy Save for Web User Presets |
Optimized ColorsOptimized Output SettingsOptimized Settings |
C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Presets\[feature name] |
Legacy feature notes
3D presets: Photoshop's legacy 3D features were removed in version 23.0 (July 2024). If you have 3D-related preset folders from earlier versions, these files are no longer functional in current releases. For 3D workflows, use the Adobe Substance 3D Viewer beta app, which integrates with Photoshop. Learn more about Substance 3D integration.
Save for Web presets: The Save for Web feature has been hidden by default since version 23.0. Presets related to Optimized Colors, Optimized Output Settings, Optimized Settings, and Recently Used Optimizations reference this legacy feature. Use File > Export > Export As for modern web export workflows.
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