Reset preferences

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Restore default settings in Adobe Photoshop to troubleshoot problems and speed up workflow.

When Photoshop behaves unexpectedly or shows performance issues, resetting preferences can often resolve the problem by restoring the application to its default state.

Photoshop stores various settings in preference files, including display options, file-saving options, performance settings, and tool presets. Corrupted preference files can cause unexpected behavior. Before resetting preferences, it's recommended to back them up so you can restore your customized settings if needed.

Reset preferences using keyboard shortcut

Close Photoshop completely.

Hold Alt + Ctrl + Shift (Windows) or Option + Command + Shift (macOS) and launch Photoshop.

Select Yes when prompted with Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings file?

Photoshop will start with default preferences.

Reset preferences using the Preferences panel

Open Photoshop and select Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Photoshop > Settings > General (macOS).

Select Reset Preferences On Quit.

Select OK.

Close Photoshop. The next time you launch the application, it will use default preferences.

Manually reset preferences

Close Photoshop completely.

Navigate to the Preferences folder:

  • Windows: C:\Users<username>\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop <version>\Adobe Photoshop [version] Settings
  • macOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop <version> Settings

Copy the Adobe Photoshop <version> Settings folder to another location.

Delete or rename the original Adobe Photoshop <version> Settings folder.

Launch Photoshop. New preference files will be created automatically with default settings.