Adobe Creative Cloud - FAQ

Owned by Brian Tibbens
Last updated: Mar 21, 2022



I see an error message: “You don’t have access to manage apps” in the Creative Cloud Desktop app

If you see this error message on your personally owned computer, then you have a preference file installed with incorrect settings.  To correct this issue, follow the instructions below.

  1. Locate the ServiceConfig.xml file:
    • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\Configs\ServiceConfig.xml
    • Mac OS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/Configs/ServiceConfig.xml
  2. Move/Copy this file to your Desktop
  3. Open the copied ServiceConfig.xml (the one on your Desktop) using the application Text Edit (Mac) or Notepad (Windows).
  4. Find and replace all instances of the word "false" with "true" then save the document.
  5. Copy this file back into its original folder:
    • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\Configs\ServiceConfig.xml
    • Mac OS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/Configs/ServiceConfig.xml
  6. Reboot the computer
  7. Launch the Creative Cloud Desktop Application to find the Apps panel.


I see an error message: “Adobe Creative Cloud, needed to resolve the problem, is missing or damaged.”

If you see this error message on your personally owned computer, then your Creative Cloud desktop app is possibly corrupted.


How do I restore my Photoshop settings back to Adobe's default state?

To restore preferences quickly using a keyboard shortcut:

  • Press and hold Alt+Control+Shift (Windows) or Option+Command+Shift (Mac OS) as you start Photoshop. You are prompted to delete the current settings. The new preferences files are created the next time you start Photoshop.
Note: Using the keyboard shortcut, preference files for custom shortcuts, workspaces, and color settings will also be reset to default.


How do I install an older version of an Adobe application?

You can install up to one major version back (e.g. Photoshop 2019) of a given application under the Adobe terms of use. 

  1. Open the Creative Cloud desktop app.
  2. Under the Apps tab, scroll down to the app you want to install and click the three-dots icon to the right of the listing.
  3. In the drop-down menu, click Other versions. ... 
  4. In the list that appears, find the app version that you want to install, and click Install.


I get a prompt when trying to download an app: "If you would like to install <software name>, you must update your system."

This is a generic prompt telling you that your computers operating system does not meet the minimum specifications needed by Adobe to run the software you are trying to download.  You will need to upgrade the computers operating system to meet the minimum OS outlined below depending on the computer you are using:

  • Mac:
    • Catalina (10.15) minimum
    • Big Sur (10.16) - current

  • Windows:
    • Microsoft Windows 7* (64-bit) with Service Pack 1 minimum
    • Windows 10 (64-bit)
Note: Before upgrading your computers operating system, be sure you have a full backup of all your data in case anything goes wrong during the upgrade process.


I get a prompt when logging in: "Unable to Reach Adobe Servers"

This is a generic prompt from the software indicating that there is an issue with the settings on the computer that is preventing the software from connecting with the Adobe Servers.