How to reset Photoshop preferences (In Windows and Mac)

[iDad]

I saw this reply from"Steve" in another thread.thought it would be a good thread for search purposes

How to reset Photoshop preferences (In Windows):
First, hold down all three Ctrl+Alt+Shift buttons
Now "while keeping those button held," simply open Photoshop or a file that opens with Photoshop
As Photoshop loads, you should get a prompt asking if you would like to "delete the Photoshop settings file", Click yes
You should now have a fresh slate with all of the settings returned to their default.

Thanks Steve!
Can't forget Gaussian he says

On a Mac, hold Command+Option+Shift while starting Photoshop to delete the preferences.

[Steve]

Hi iDad.

Some of PS problems people are just the result of a corrupt preferences file.
Before trying a re-installation it makes sense reset this file first.

[Gaussian]

On a Mac, hold Command+Option+Shift while starting Photoshop to delete the preferences.

[Syessia]

thanks!! it's just annoying to work on another image and get stumped for certain settings that you have set while working on previous edits!

[Paul MR]

These links will show the locations of preference files etc.
It's always a good idea to back these up in case of disaster.

Photoshop CS2
Functions, names, and locations of preferences files (Photoshop CS2, ImageReady CS2)
Photoshop CS3
Functions, names, and locations of preference files in Photoshop CS3
Photoshop CS4
Functions, names, and locations of preferences files in Photoshop CS4
Photoshop CS5
Preference file functions, names, locations | Photoshop CS5

[Steve]

These links will show the locations of preference files etc.
It's always a good idea to back these up in case of disaster.

Excellent find Paul.

[davidphotoshop]

How to reset Photoshop preferences (In Windows):
First, hold down all three Ctrl+Alt+Shift buttons
Now "while keeping those button held," simply open Photoshop or a file that opens with Photoshop
As Photoshop loads, you should get a prompt asking if you would like to "delete the Photoshop settings file", Click yes
You should now have a fresh slate with all of the settings returned to their default.

thanks, i will try it...

my brother change the preference and i dont know what change that he made, i need to make it default again .

[Patricia0709]

On Mac

When I installed Photoshop, I didn't have the gray background while working with it. It was transparent and I could see my desktop while using it. I think I pressed something that made the gray background appear. I tried right clicking it but there's no options to make it transparent. How do I change it back?

[dv8_fx]

On Mac

When I installed Photoshop, I didn't have the gray background while working with it. It was transparent and I could see my desktop while using it. I think I pressed something that made the gray background appear. I tried right clicking it but there's no options to make it transparent. How do I change it back?

I'm not on a Mac... but this might help.... Why is Photoshop acting strange? Some things just aren't working right.

[marice952468]

thanks for the links....