Name
Last updated on
Sep 28, 2026
Find paths and descriptions for every Photoshop preference file on macOS and Windows.
Use this reference when backing up customized settings, troubleshooting unexpected behavior, or manually managing preference files before reinstalling Adobe Photoshop.
Most preference files save when you quit Photoshop. Files marked with an asterisk (*) are deleted when using keyboard shortcut or Reset Preferences on Quit methods. Files marked with a dagger (†) are created or saved every time Photoshop launches.
For instructions on adjusting or resetting preferences, refer to Adjust preferences in Photoshop.
macOS preference file 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.
macOS Primary preferences
|
|
Description |
Filename |
Path |
|
General Settings Preferences |
Contains all settings from the Preferences dialog |
*Adobe Photoshop [version] Prefs.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Actions |
Contains all actions loaded in the Actions panel |
Actions palette.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Brushes |
Contains all brushes loaded in the Brushes panel |
Brushes.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Camera Raw Preferences |
Contains all settings from Camera Raw Preferences dialog |
Adobe Camera Raw [version] Prefs |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences |
|
Color settings |
Color management settings |
Color Settings.csf |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Contours Preferences |
Contains user-defined contours created in Layer Style dialog |
Contours.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Custom Color settings |
User-defined color management settings |
Userdefined.csf |
Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Settings |
|
Custom proof setups |
User-defined proofing configurations |
Userdefined.psf |
Users/[user name]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Color/Proofing |
|
Custom Shapes |
Contains all shapes loaded in the Shapes panel |
CustomShapes.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Default Type Styles |
Default text formatting settings |
Default Type Styles.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Do Not Show Again |
List of dialogs where "Do Not Show Again" was selected |
dnsa.json |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Effect Preferences |
Settings used in Layer Style dialog |
Effect Prefs.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Export As Settings |
Last used settings in Export As dialog |
export-as-settings.json |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Gradients Preferences |
Contains all gradients loaded in Gradients panel |
Gradients.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences |
User-defined keyboard shortcuts |
*Keyboard Shortcuts.psp*Keyboard Shortcuts Primary.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Launch End Flag |
Stores launch timing information |
†LaunchEndFlag.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Machine Preferences |
Hardware-specific settings including GPU and cache |
*MachinePrefs.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Menu Customization Preferences |
User-defined menu settings |
*Menu Customization.psp*Menu Customization Primary.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Most Recently Used New Document Sizes |
Recent document sizes in New Document dialog |
*MRU New Doc Sizes.json |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
macOS Filter and effects preferences
|
Name |
Description |
Filename |
Path |
|
Filters and Effects |
Last used settings in filter dialogs |
Adaptive Wide Angle Prefs.pspDicom Prefs.pspFilter Gallery Prefs.pspLens Blur Prefs.pspLens CorrectionPrefs.pspLiquify Last Mesh.pspLiquify Prefs.pspVanishingPoint Prefs.pspOil Paint Prefs.pspFaceExpressionPresets.psp |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Lens Profiles |
Created with Lens Profile software |
[File Name].lcs[File Name].wac (adaptive) |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe/LensCorrection/1.0/Settings |
macOS Legacy preferences (save for Web)
Note
Save for Web preferences reference a feature hidden by default since Photoshop version 23.0. These files are maintained for compatibility with older workflows.
|
Name |
Filename |
Path |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Colors (Legacy) |
Optimized Colors |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Output Settings (Legacy) |
Optimized Output Settings |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Settings (Legacy) |
Optimized Settings |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Recently Used Optimizations (Legacy) |
Recently Used Optimizations |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web Preferences (Legacy) |
Save for Web Preferences |
Users/[user name]/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
Windows preference file locations
Note
The user AppData folder is hidden by default on Windows. To know how to access hidden folders, see Show hidden files and folders in Windows.
Windows Primary preferences
|
Name |
Description |
Filename |
Path |
|
General Settings Preferences |
Contains all settings from the Preferences dialog |
*Adobe Photoshop [version] Prefs.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Actions |
Contains all actions loaded in the Actions panel |
Actions palette.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Brushes |
Contains all brushes loaded in the Brushes panel |
Brushes.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Camera Raw Preferences |
Contains all settings from Camera Raw Preferences dialog |
Adobe Camera Raw [version] Prefs |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\CameraRaw\Settings |
|
Color settings |
Color management settings |
Color Settings.csf |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Contours Preferences |
Contains user-defined contours created in Layer Style dialog |
Contours.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Custom Color settings |
User-defined color management settings |
Userdefined.csf |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Color\Settings |
|
Custom proof setups |
User-defined proofing configurations |
Userdefined.psf |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Color\Settings |
|
Custom Shapes |
Contains all shapes loaded in the Shapes panel |
CustomShapes.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Default Type Styles |
Default text formatting settings |
Default Type Styles.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Do Not Show Again |
List of dialogs where "Do Not Show Again" was selected |
dnsa.json |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Effect Preferences |
Settings used in Layer Style dialog |
Effect Prefs.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Export As Settings |
Last used settings in Export As dialog |
export-as-settings.json |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Gradients Preferences |
Contains all gradients loaded in Gradients panel |
Gradients.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Keyboard Shortcuts Preferences |
User-defined keyboard shortcuts |
*Keyboard Shortcuts.psp*Keyboard Shortcuts Primary.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Launch End Flag |
Stores launch timing information |
†LaunchEndFlag.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Machine Preferences |
Hardware-specific settings including GPU and cache |
*MachinePrefs.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Menu Customization Preferences |
User-defined menu settings |
*Menu Customization.psp*Menu Customization Primary.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
Windows Filter and effects preferences
|
Name |
Description |
Filename |
Path |
|
Filters and Effects |
Last used settings in filter dialogs |
Adaptive Wide Angle Prefs.pspDicom Prefs.pspFilter Gallery Prefs.pspLens Blur Prefs.pspLens CorrectionPrefs.pspLiquify Last Mesh.pspLiquify Prefs.pspVanishingPoint Prefs.pspOil Paint Prefs.psp |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Lens Profiles |
Created with Lens Profile software |
[File Name].lcs[File Name].wac (adaptive) |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\LensCorrection\1.0\Settings |
Windows Legacy preferences (Save for Web)
Note
Save for Web preferences reference a feature hidden by default since Photoshop version 23.0. These files are maintained for compatibility with older workflows.
|
Name & Description |
Filename |
Path |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Colors (Legacy) |
Optimized Colors |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Output Settings (Legacy) |
Optimized Output Settings |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Optimized Settings (Legacy) |
Optimized Settings |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web - Recently Used Optimizations (Legacy) |
Recently Used Optimizations |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
|
Save for Web Preferences (Legacy) |
Save for Web Preferences |
Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [version]\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings |
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