Syncing Adobe Settings Across Multiple Machines Without Cloud Sync

Following the retirement of Creative Cloud Synced Files and the phase-out of legacy in-app “Sync Settings” features, creators who work across multiple workstations (such as a studio desktop and a mobile laptop) can no longer rely on automated cloud sync to mirror their workspaces. Transferring keyboard shortcuts, custom workspaces, export presets, and color palettes now requires managing local preference directories directly. You can synchronize these preferences across your fleet by using operating system directory symlinks pointing to a mirrored cloud drive, or by utilizing Adobe’s native preset export tools.

Fast Fix

To sync settings between machines manually, open your application and navigate to the preset manager (for example, in Photoshop: Edit > Presets > Export/Import Presets). Export your shortcuts, workspaces, and actions to a shared network share or mirrored cloud folder, then import that package on your second computer. For automated syncing, create directory symbolic links targeting your preference folders to a mirrored cloud storage directory.

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Quick Status Snapshot

• Purpose: Maintaining identical workspaces, presets, and keyboard shortcuts across multiple editing rigs.
• Target Layer: Local application preference folders, XML layout files, and .kys / .epr preset files.
• Scope: Multi-computer environments (desktop + laptop, home + studio, multi-editor post houses).

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Where Adobe Stores Your Local Preferences

Adobe applications store workspace layouts, custom hotkeys, and tool presets in specific local user profile paths rather than in cloud storage:

Application	Operating System	Default Preference and Preset Directory
Photoshop	Windows	%AppData%\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings\
Photoshop	macOS	~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings/
Premiere Pro	Windows	Documents\Adobe\Premiere Pro\[Version]\Profile-[Username]\
Premiere Pro	macOS	~/Documents/Adobe/Premiere Pro/[Version]/Profile-[Username]/
Illustrator	Windows	%AppData%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator [Version] Settings\
Illustrator	macOS	~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator [Version] Settings/

When automatic sync was retired, these local directories were completely isolated. Changes made to a workspace on your office desktop will not appear on your travel laptop unless you manually mirror or transfer these configuration files.

If you are using Google Drive to replace your cloud file storage, ensure you configure it to mirror files locally before linking preferences by reviewing Moving Adobe Creative Cloud Files to Google Drive (Best Practices).

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Diagnostic Path: Choosing the Right Synchronization Method

[Determine Settings Sync Strategy]
                  │
                  ├──> Need occasional, stable transfers without background sync engines?
                  │      └── Method: Native Export/Import Presets & Workspace copy.
                  │
                  ├──> Need fully automated, live mirroring across identical OS setups?
                  │      └── Method: OS Directory Symlinks (Junctions) to Mirrored Cloud Storage.
                  │
                  └──> Need shared access to brushes, swatches, and graphics only?
                         └── Method: Creative Cloud Libraries.
                         └── See: [Syncing Custom Brushes and Patterns Without the Cloud Sync Folder](<http://www.adobeopsguide.com/install-connection/cloud-migration/sync-custom-brushes-patterns-no-cloud>)

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Method 1: The Manual Export/Import Workflow (Safest)

The native preset tool avoids file-locking conflicts and is the most reliable cross-platform method:

Photoshop:

1. Open Photoshop and go to Edit > Presets > Export/Import Presets.
2. Select Export Presets.
3. Choose your custom Actions, Workspaces, Tools, and Styles, then click Export to Folder.
4. Save the bundle to a USB drive, local network share, or cloud storage.
5. On the destination computer, open Photoshop, go to the same menu, select Import Presets, select the folder, and click Import.

┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Export/Import Presets (Photoshop)                        │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Presets to Export:                                       │
│ [X] Workspaces (Color_Grading_DualMonitor)               │
│ [X] Keyboard Shortcuts (Studio_Custom_2026.kys)          │
│ [X] Actions (Batch_Watermark_Social)                     │
│                                                          │
│   [ Select All ]                         [ Export Folder]│ <--- SELECT THIS
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Premiere Pro & After Effects:

1. Custom keyboard shortcuts are stored as simple .kys files. Navigate to your Premiere profile folder:
   • Windows: Documents\Adobe\Premiere Pro\[Version]\Profile-[User]\Win\
   • macOS: ~/Documents/Adobe/Premiere Pro/[Version]/Profile-[User]/Mac/
2. Copy your custom .kys file.
3. Paste the .kys file into the corresponding folder on your second workstation.
4. Open Premiere Pro, go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, and select your custom preset from the dropdown menu.

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Method 2: Automated Mirroring via Directory Symlinks (Advanced)

For production artists who modify workspaces and hotkeys daily, you can link your application’s settings directory to a local folder synchronized by Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Warning: Both machines must run the same operating system and application version. Do not symlink a Windows settings folder to a macOS installation.

Step-by-Step for Windows (Directory Junction):

1. Close all Adobe programs.
2. Create a folder inside your mirrored cloud drive (e.g., G:\My Drive\Adobe_Settings\Photoshop_Settings).
3. Move the contents of %AppData%\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings into your cloud folder.
4. Delete the now-empty Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings folder from AppData.
5. Right-click the Start Menu and open Terminal (Admin).
6. Run the mklink /J command to create a directory junction: mklink /J "%AppData%\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Adobe Photoshop [Version] Settings" "G:\My Drive\Adobe_Settings\Photoshop_Settings"
7. Repeat the command on your second Windows workstation. Windows will treat the cloud-mirrored folder as if it were local to the machine.

Step-by-Step for macOS (Symbolic Link):

1. Quit your Adobe apps.
2. Move your settings folder to your mirrored drive: mv ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe\ Photoshop\ [Version]\ Settings/ ~/GoogleDrive/Adobe_Settings/Photoshop_Settings/
3. Create the symbolic link in Terminal: ln -s ~/GoogleDrive/Adobe_Settings/Photoshop_Settings/ ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe\ Photoshop\ [Version]\ Settings

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Hard Stops

• Never run Adobe applications simultaneously on both machines when using symlinked folders. If both computers are open and saving preference files at the same time, the cloud sync engine will create duplicate conflict copies, corrupting your settings. If an app crashes on launch due to a corrupted preferences folder, follow How to Reset Photoshop Preferences to Fix Persistent Disk Errors.
• If you run into cloud synchronization conflicts while sharing assets or presets via CC Libraries, review Why Your Adobe Libraries Won’t Sync (Metadata Conflict).