The Filter Gallery is missing because Adobe moved it, hid it behind a setting, or your version doesn't include it
Filter Gallery — the window that shows you thumbnail previews of artistic filters before you explore them — was a standard Photoshop feature for years. In recent versions, Adobe removed it from the main Filters menu, moved it to a different location, or disabled it by default depending on which Photoshop edition you own and when you installed it. This is not a bug. It is a deliberate change that catches people off guard because the feature still exists, just not where they expect it.
The confusion happens because Adobe has handled Filter Gallery differently across versions. In Photoshop 2021 and earlier, it lived under Filters > Filter Gallery. Starting in 2022, Adobe began phasing it out of the main menu for some users while keeping it available through other routes. If you upgraded or switched versions, the menu path you memorized no longer works.
Key Takeaways
- Filter Gallery still exists in most Photoshop versions but is no longer in the Filters menu by default.
- You can access it through Filters > Artistic > Artistic or by searching "Filter Gallery" in the search bar at the top of Photoshop.
- Some Photoshop editions (like Elements or very recent versions) may not include Filter Gallery at all.
- If you use an older version of Photoshop, Filter Gallery should appear in the Filters menu without any extra steps.
Where to find Filter Gallery in current Photoshop versions
The fastest way to locate Filter Gallery in Photoshop 2022 and later is to use the search function. Click the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen (or press Command+F on Mac, Ctrl+F on Windows) and type "Filter Gallery". Photoshop will show you the exact location and let you click directly to it.
If search does not work or you prefer to navigate manually, go to Filters > Artistic. In some versions, Filter Gallery appears as its own option here. In others, you may need to look under Filters > Distorts or check whether your version has moved it to a legacy filters submenu. The exact location varies by release date and whether you have the full Creative Cloud version or a standalone license.
Why Adobe removed it from the main menu
Adobe shifted Filter Gallery out of the primary Filters menu to push users toward newer filter tools and the Neural Filters panel, which uses machine learning to generate previews faster and offer more control. The old Filter Gallery, while still functional, relies on older rendering technology that is slower on modern hardware and less integrated with Photoshop's current workflow.
From Adobe's perspective, burying Filter Gallery encourages people to explore newer options. From a user perspective, this means a tool you relied on is now harder to find. Adobe has not removed it entirely because enough people still use it that removing it completely would trigger complaints, but the company has made it clear that Filter Gallery is not the direction they are investing in.
What to do if Filter Gallery does not appear anywhere
If you cannot find Filter Gallery even after searching, check which Photoshop product you own. Photoshop Elements, Photoshop for iPad, and some older perpetual licenses do not include Filter Gallery. You can confirm this by opening Photoshop and going to Help > About Photoshop to see your exact version number and edition.
If you own the full Photoshop but Filter Gallery is truly absent, try updating to the latest version through Creative Cloud. Sometimes the feature is disabled in older builds and re-enabled in patches. If you have already updated and it still does not appear, the feature may have been removed from your specific version, and you would need to use Neural Filters or third-party filter plugins as an alternative.
Using Neural Filters as an alternative
If you cannot access Filter Gallery or prefer a more modern approach, Neural Filters (found under Filters > Neural Filters) offers similar artistic effects with better preview performance. Neural Filters show you results in real time as you adjust sliders, whereas Filter Gallery requires you to click through static thumbnails. The trade-off is that Neural Filters are fewer in number and require an internet connection to read the filter models the first time you use them.
For users who specifically need the Filter Gallery workflow — clicking through many artistic previews at once — there is no perfect replacement in current Photoshop. Third-party filter plugins like Topaz Gigapixel, ON1 Effects, or Affinity Photo offer similar gallery-style interfaces if you are willing to work outside Photoshop or use a different program.
Checking your Photoshop version and update status
To confirm whether your version of Photoshop should have Filter Gallery, open Photoshop and go to Help > About Photoshop. Write down the version number (for example, 24.1 or 2024). Then visit Adobe's release notes page for your version to see whether Filter Gallery is listed as included or deprecated.
If you see that Filter Gallery should be present but is not, try updating Photoshop through Creative Cloud. Open Creative Cloud, go to Apps, find Photoshop, and click Update if a newer version is available. After updating, restart Photoshop and search for Filter Gallery again. If it still does not appear after a full update and restart, the feature has likely been removed from your edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Adobe delete Filter Gallery permanently?
Not permanently, but it is no longer a priority. Filter Gallery still exists in most current Photoshop versions but is hidden from the main menu. Adobe has not announced plans to remove it entirely, but the company is not maintaining or improving it either. If you rely on it, keep your current version of Photoshop or plan to migrate to an alternative tool.
Can I get Filter Gallery back in the Filters menu?
Not through a setting or preference. Adobe does not offer an option to restore it to the main menu. Your only options are to search for it each time, navigate to its new location, or use an older version of Photoshop where it appears in the standard location.
Is Filter Gallery the same as Neural Filters?
No. Filter Gallery shows you artistic effects in thumbnail previews before you explore them. Neural Filters uses machine learning to generate effects with slider controls. They produce different results and have different workflows. Neural Filters are faster but offer fewer options; Filter Gallery is slower but gives you more artistic presets to browse.
What if I use Photoshop on a Mac and it is not there?
The location is the same on Mac and Windows. Use Command+F to search for "Filter Gallery" or navigate to Filters > Artistic. If it does not appear on Mac, the same troubleshooting applies: check your version, update if available, and confirm your edition includes the feature.
Can I use an older version of Photoshop to keep Filter Gallery?
Yes, if you have a perpetual license (a one-time purchase rather than a subscription). Photoshop 2021 and earlier versions have Filter Gallery in the main Filters menu. If you subscribe to Creative Cloud, Adobe automatically updates you to the latest version, and you cannot choose to stay on an older build.