Which Adobe background processes are required for my apps?

Adobe background processes run behind the scenes and perform several important tasks that make your Adobe apps run seamlessly. You may not always notice them, but these critical background processes are doing their job even when you are not using any of your Adobe apps. Some of them are meant to sync your fonts or libraries to the cloud, while some install automatic updates for your apps.

Similarly, your Creative Cloud desktop app interacts with other background processes that running on your device. These services (such as Adobe Desktop Service, Adobe Content Synchronizer, and Creative Cloud Libraries Synchronizer) perform tasks like app installations and updates, and asset syncing. 

Common Adobe background processes

Let's learn more about the most common Adobe background processes.

AAM Updates Notifier

AAM Updates Notifier is a legacy background process that is available to detect patch updates for the old versions of Creative Cloud apps.

Creative Cloud UI Helper

Creative Cloud UI Helper is called Adobe CEF Helper in the older versions of the Creative Cloud desktop app.

The Creative Cloud desktop app has several individual components inside its user interface, such as the Apps tab, the Files tab, and the Discover tab. The Creative Cloud UI Helper is a process that renders these components of the Creative Cloud desktop app. Multiple background processes with the same name run simultaneously because each one monitors a separate part of the user interface. If there's an issue in one component, the Creative Cloud UI Helper manages that particular component of the Creative Cloud desktop app without impacting other components. The Adobe Creative Cloud UI Helper is important to run the Creative Cloud desktop app smoothly.

Adobe Crash Handler (also called AdobeCRDaemon)

Adobe Crash Handler and Adobe CRDaemon are used interchangeably to refer to the same Adobe processes. It reports back if the Creative Cloud desktop app or any of its background processes crashes on your device. It also captures crashes for all Creative Cloud apps.

Adobe Desktop Service

Adobe Desktop Service is the core of the Creative Cloud apps and keeps them running. It gathers and processes critical information such as the licenses that you have, apps available in your subscription, and updates required.

Adobe Update Service

Adobe Update Service is a Windows-specific process that manages the privileges required for various actions like installing app updates and syncing fonts. The process ensures that you are not prompted for your system password each time you try to sync fonts or install or update your apps. 

Creative Cloud Interprocess Service

The Creative Cloud Interprocess Service is responsible for all interactions among the various Adobe apps and processes. There are several instances when Adobe apps need to communicate with each other or to pass some data or information to each other. The Creative Cloud Interprocess Service helps make this communication possible.

Adobe notification client (Windows only)

Only available for Windows, Adobe Notification Client is responsible for all notifications you get in your Creative Cloud desktop app. It also manages the notifications that Adobe servers send to your desktop apps. It is vital for syncing, sharing, and collaborating assets.

Adobe Genuine Service

The Adobe Genuine Service runs validation checks that identify whether certain installed Adobe software is genuine or non-genuine. When non-genuine installations are found, the service can inform users through a pop-up notification that their software isn't genuine. Adobe Genuine Software Integrity Service, Adobe Genuine Software Monitor Service, and Adobe Genuine Software Client all function together as part of the Adobe Genuine Service.

Creative Cloud Content Manager

Creative Cloud Content Manager is a background process that supports Adobe Creative Cloud applications to provide dynamic content including tutorials, stock templates, and filters.

Creative Cloud Libraries Synchronizer

Creative Cloud Libraries Synchronizer  manages your Creative Cloud Libraries inside the Creative Cloud desktop app.

CEPHTML Engine

The CEPHTML Engine is a process launched when an Adobe Common Extensibility Platform (CEP) extension is loaded in any Creative Cloud app. CEP gives you the power to enhance and extend Adobe Creative Cloud apps with the standard web stack such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Adobe Content Synchronizer

Adobe Content Synchronizer is responsible for syncing data between your machine and the Creative Cloud account. It also manages and syncs your fonts and Creative Cloud Libraries in other Adobe apps. Plus, Adobe Content Synchronizer syncs cloud documents created in applications like Adobe XD, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.

Adobe Content Synchronizer Helper

Adobe Content Synchronizer Helper is a macOS FinderSync Extension. It is used for setting badges, labels, and context menus in the Creative Cloud Files folder.

CreativeCloud(URIHandler)

CreativeCloud(URI Handler) acts as a bridge between Adobe's web pages, Creative Cloud apps, and the Creative Cloud desktop app· It lets the Creative Cloud desktop app take predefined actions triggered either by Creative Cloud apps or Adobe web pages. For example, if you want to update an app from the Creative Cloud website, it takes you back to the Creative Cloud desktop app to complete the action.

Creative Cloud

Creative Cloud is responsible for the user interface of the Creative Cloud desktop app.

Creative Cloud Helper

Creative Cloud Helper is responsible for sign-in and activation of Creative Cloud apps through the Creative Cloud desktop app.

LogTransport2

LogTransport2 is an Acrobat background process that sends product usage analytics data back to Adobe so that it can be used to serve customers better.

node.JS

The background process node.js is used by Creative Cloud Content Manager and Creative Cloud Libraries Synchronizer. It's used by any Creative Cloud app that uses the node framework.

"com.adobe.ARMDC.Communicator" and "com.adobe.ARMDC.JobBlessHelper"

These two processes belong to a component called Acrobat Refresh Manager (ARM), which is used to update Acrobat and Reader to the latest version.