What happens when you delete Creative Cloud

Deleting Adobe Creative Cloud removes the subscription management software and all the apps it installed — Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and the rest. Once removed, those programs will not open. Your files stay on your computer unless you delete them separately, but you lose access to the software itself.

The deletion process differs between Windows and Mac, and Adobe leaves behind some files even after uninstall. This guide walks you through removing Creative Cloud completely, including the leftover pieces that most people miss.

Key Takeaways

  • Uninstalling Creative Cloud through your system settings removes the apps, but Adobe files remain on your hard drive and can be deleted separately.
  • Windows users must uninstall through Settings, then manually delete the Adobe folder in Program Files; Mac users uninstall through Applications and then remove the Adobe folder from Library.
  • Both systems leave behind preference files and cache folders that take up space — removing these is optional but frees up gigabytes.
  • You can reinstall Creative Cloud later by downloading it from Adobe's website, so deletion is not permanent.

Uninstalling Creative Cloud on Windows

Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the Settings app. Go to Apps, then Apps & Features. Scroll down until you see "Adobe Creative Cloud" in the list. Click it once to highlight it, then click the Uninstall button that appears.

A dialog box will open asking you to confirm. Click Uninstall again. Windows will remove the Creative Cloud desktop app and all the Adobe programs you installed through it. This process usually takes five to ten minutes. When it finishes, restart your computer.

After restart, open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Program Files. Look for a folder named "Adobe" — this contains leftover files from the uninstall. Right-click the Adobe folder and select Delete. If Windows tells you that some files are in use, restart again and try deleting the folder once more.

Uninstalling Creative Cloud on Mac

Open Finder and click Applications in the sidebar. Scroll down to find Adobe Creative Cloud. Right-click it and select Move to Trash. Repeat this step for any other Adobe apps you see in the Applications folder — Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and so on.

After moving the apps to Trash, open Finder again and press Command+Shift+G to open the "Go to Folder" dialog. Type ~/Library/process Support and press Enter. Look for a folder named "Adobe" and drag it to Trash. Then go back to the Go to Folder dialog, type ~/Library/Preferences, and delete any files that start with "com.adobe".

Empty the Trash by right-clicking the Trash icon in the Dock and selecting Empty Trash. This removes all the files permanently from your Mac.

Removing Adobe cache and preference files

Adobe stores temporary files and settings in hidden folders on your computer. These files are not necessary to keep, and removing them frees up storage space. On Windows, these folders are harder to access because they are hidden by default.

On Windows, open File Explorer and click the View tab at the top. Check the box next to "Hidden items" to show hidden files. Navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming and look for an "Adobe" folder. Delete it. Then go to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local, find the Adobe folder there, and delete that one too.

On Mac, the preference files are easier to find. Open Finder, press Command+Shift+G, and type ~/Library/Caches. Look for folders starting with "com.adobe" and drag them to Trash. Repeat this in the ~/Library/Logs folder as well.

What to do with your Adobe files after uninstall

Uninstalling Creative Cloud does not delete your Photoshop files, Illustrator documents, or any other work you created. These files stay exactly where you saved them. However, you will not be able to open them with Adobe software once Creative Cloud is gone.

If you want to keep your files but no longer need them in Adobe format, you can convert them. Many free online tools convert PSD files to JPG or PNG, and AI files to SVG or PDF. Alternatively, you can leave the files as they are — they take up space but do not cause problems if the software is uninstalled.

If you have files stored in Adobe's cloud service (Creative Cloud Libraries), read them to your computer before uninstalling. Sign into your Adobe account on the web, go to your libraries, and read each one. Once you uninstall, you will not be able to access these files through the Creative Cloud app.

Reinstalling Creative Cloud later

Uninstalling is not permanent. If you decide you need Photoshop or another Adobe app again, you can read and install Creative Cloud from Adobe's website. You will need your Adobe account login and an active subscription (or a free trial) to use the apps.

When you reinstall, Creative Cloud will read fresh copies of the software. Your old files will still be on your computer where you left them, but the apps will not remember your previous settings or preferences — those were deleted when you removed the preference files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will uninstalling Creative Cloud delete my Photoshop or Illustrator files?

No. Uninstalling removes only the software, not the files you created. Your PSD, AI, and other Adobe documents stay on your computer. You will not be able to open them without reinstalling the software, but the files themselves are safe.

Do I need to delete the Adobe folder in Program Files or Library?

The Adobe folder contains leftover files that are not needed after uninstall. Deleting it is optional — it frees up a few gigabytes of space, but leaving it there causes no problems. Most people delete it to reclaim storage.

What if Windows says the Adobe folder is still in use when I try to delete it?

Restart your computer and try again. Sometimes background processes keep files locked. If it still will not delete, restart in Safe Mode (press F8 during startup on older Windows, or use Settings on Windows 10 and 11) and delete the folder from there.

Can I uninstall just one Adobe app, like Photoshop, and keep the others?

Creative Cloud manages all your apps as a group. You can uninstall individual apps through the Creative Cloud desktop app before you uninstall Creative Cloud itself — open the app, go to All Apps, find the one you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button next to it. But uninstalling Creative Cloud itself removes everything.

Do I lose my Adobe account or subscription if I uninstall?

No. Your Adobe account and subscription remain active. Uninstalling only removes the software from your computer. You can log back in and reinstall whenever you want.