Discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced files

What are Creative Cloud Synced Files?

Creative Cloud has enabled personal users to save files on their local devices in a folder called Creative Cloud Files. The contents of this folder can be synced (copied) to the user's cloud storage via a process that runs on the local device. You can access those files locally on the device in a folder named Creative Cloud Files or through the Creative Cloud website within the Launch More menu (from the Synced files option). Folders and files synced to Creative Cloud through these means may also be shared with other Creative Cloud users. Creative Cloud Synced files are also integrated into some of Adobe’s mobile applications, including Photoshop, Express, Rush, and Fresco, as a vehicle to transfer files across devices.

After Synced files are discontinued, new Creative Cloud personal users (free and paid) will no longer have the option to utilize Creative Cloud file syncing and related cloud storage for file-based assets.

How does this impact me?

As a personal user, if you have content in your local Creative Cloud Files folder and have file syncing turned on, have files uploaded directly to the Creative Cloud website Synced files tab, or rely on Creative Cloud Synced files for folder and file sharing, you'll be impacted in the following manner: 

Starting February 1, 2024 (now extended through February 3, 2025), Adobe will discontinue the Creative Cloud desktop synchronization service and the folder and file sharing capabilities of Creative Cloud Synced files. Files in the Creative Cloud Files local folder will no longer be copied to cloud storage. Additionally, files and folders shared with other users from Synced files will no longer be accessible.

All assets in your local Creative Cloud Files folder will remain intact and under your complete control. However, as always, we strongly recommend you move assets to Adobe-supported storage solutions, like Frame.io or Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) assets wherever applicable, or third-party cloud storage solutions with sync capabilities or at the least, back up your content locally to a location other than your local Creative Cloud Files folder. You can also publish directly to Frame.io from Adobe Premiere Pro. 

Learn more about how you can use Frame.io with Premier Pro and After Effects. 

As a personal user, if you have content in your local Creative Cloud Files folder and have file syncing turned on, have files uploaded directly to the Creative Cloud website Synced files tab, or rely on Creative Cloud Synced files for folder and file sharing, you'll be impacted in the following manner:  

Starting February 1, 2024, Adobe will discontinue the Creative Cloud desktop synchronization service and the folder and file sharing capabilities of Creative Cloud Synced files. Files in the Creative Cloud Files local folder will no longer be copied to cloud storage, and those copies in cloud storage will be deleted. Files and folders shared with other users from Synced files will no longer be accessible. All Adobe apps that leverage Creative Cloud Synced files to enable users to share files across devices will remove those integrations. There will be no way to recover deleted files post-discontinuation. It's important that syncing is enabled to prevent any loss of files synced to the cloud but not present on a local device. Directions to facilitate syncing are available here. To download cloud copies, please refer What are my next steps section.

All assets in your local Creative Cloud Files folder on your device will remain intact and under your complete control. You may leave the assets in the Creative Cloud Files folder, or you may choose to move the assets to other Adobe-supported storage solutions, like Frame.io or Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) assets, or third-party cloud storage solutions with sync capabilities.  

The Creative Cloud Files folder will no longer be hidden when you sign out of Creative Cloud. The folder will be renamed to Creative Cloud Files + <account type> + <profile_name> + <email> + <GUID> (for example: Creative Cloud Files Personal Account email@abc.com ####@AdobeID). You can rename the folder as you see fit. 

Why is Adobe discontinuing Creative Cloud Synced files? 

Creative Cloud Synced Files provides generalized cloud storage capabilities that are not directly aligned with Adobe’s goal of supporting creative collaboration. Adobe will continue to invest in purpose-built services for creatives to access their creative work across devices and apps, and to enable collaboration with other creatives and stakeholders. 

Is there an alternative to Creative Cloud Synced files?

Adobe offers a number of cloud-based solutions tailored to your needs. Cloud Documents, available in Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco, and Adobe Express enable saving and access to your work across desktop, mobile, and web surfaces. Creative Cloud Libraries, available in Creative Cloud applications and Adobe Express, enable organization, reuse, and sharing of brand and creative assets. Frame.io, included in most Creative Cloud subscription plans, supports sharing, storage, and review of a broad range of file types on the web and mobile.

Cloud Documents

Cloud Documents are cloud-native files that you can open and edit in compatible apps. With Cloud Documents, your work is always updated, across every device, wherever you are. Compatible apps include Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco, and Adobe Express. Cloud Documents also allow you to save your work from one compatible app and open it in another compatible app without losing any fidelity. Autosave allows you to view any past version of your document quickly. 

Creative Cloud Libraries

Creative Cloud Libraries let you gather design elements for specific projects, clients, or teams for use within Creative Cloud apps and Adobe Express. Libraries help ensure you and your team access the same brand elements for a project throughout its lifecycle, gather, organize, and share brand assets created in various apps for a project or client – from color palettes, character styles, and logos to mnemonics and approved imagery. 

Frame.io

Frame.io offers web and mobile sharing, review, and approval of creative files from videos to images to PDFs and more. You can upload any filetype at lightning speed; organize and share with creative partners so everyone on your project has access to the right media when they need it; share custom branded presentations and review links to gather stakeholder feedback; access that feedback in Creative Cloud apps like Premiere and easily send out another version for approval.

How will users be notified of the discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced Files? 

All impacted users will receive an operational email at least 90 days before the beginning of discontinuing Creative Cloud Synced files. As a reminder, all files stored on local devices in the Creative Cloud Files folder will remain untouched. The folder, however, will be renamed. More info regarding folder renaming is included below. 

Where do I find my Creative Cloud Files folder on my local device?

The contents of the Creative Cloud Files folder can be found by navigating to the folder listed below: 

Windows

C:\Users\<Username>\Creative Cloud Files

macOS

Mac HD/Users/<Username>/Creative Cloud Files

Beginning Feb 1, 2024, the Creative Cloud Files folder will no longer be hidden when you sign out of Creative Cloud. The folder will be renamed to Creative Cloud Files + <account type> + <profile_name> + <email> + <GUID> (for example: Creative Cloud Files Personal Account email@abc.com ####@AdobeID). You can rename the folder as you see fit.

What are my next steps?

Your assets will remain in your Creative Cloud Files folder on your local device. However, as always, we strongly recommend that you advise your users to move assets to Adobe-supported storage solutions, like Frame.io or Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) assets wherever applicable, or third-party cloud storage solutions with sync capabilities or at the least, backup their content locally to a location other than your local Creative Cloud Files folder. Sign in to your Adobe account on your local device to sync the latest versions of your assets before February 1, 2024 (now extended through February 3, 2025). 

How can I download a copy of my files on desktop?

If you want to download files before February 1, 2024:

With syncing enabled, all your synced content will exist on your local device in the following folder destinations: 

Windows

C:\Users\<Username>\Creative Cloud Files

macOS

Mac HD/Users/<Username>/Creative Cloud Files

These files will remain in your local folder, and you can access them at all times. However, as always, we strongly recommend you move assets to Adobe-supported storage solutions wherever applicable, or third-party cloud storage solutions with sync capabilities or at the least, back up your content locally to a location other than your local Creative Cloud Files folder.

Beginning February 1, 2024, the folder will be renamed to Creative Cloud Files + <account type> + <profile_name> + <email> + <GUID>. For example, Creative Cloud Files Personal Account email@abc.com ####@AdobeID. You can rename the folder as you see fit.

How can I download a copy of my files on mobile?

What happens to the files in the Creative Cloud Files folder on my local devices?

During the process, files will remain in the Creative Cloud Files folder and will not be removed. We strongly recommend you make a copy at a different location than the Creative Cloud Files folder or export these files to an Adobe or third-party destination of your choice. Links or shared files will no longer be visible and accessible to others. 

Beginning Feb 1, 2024, the Creative Cloud Files folder will no longer be hidden when you sign out of Creative Cloud. The folder will be renamed to Creative Cloud Files + <account type> + <profile_name> + <email> + <GUID> (for example: Creative Cloud Files Personal Account email@abc.com ####@AdobeID). You can rename the folder as you see fit.

Does this apply to enterprise or teams accounts?

Business users entitled to one of Adobe’s business plans, Creative Cloud for Enterprise or Creative Cloud for Teams, will have a separate timeline for the discontinuation of Synced files. Additional information can be found here. 

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