How Do You Delete Creative Cloud? The Ultimate Guide to Uninstalling Creative Cloud

Are you ready to bid farewell to Creative Cloud? Perhaps you’re switching to a different creative suite, or maybe you’re simply looking to free up some valuable storage space on your computer. Whatever your reasons, knowing how to completely remove Creative Cloud from your system can be a bit of a puzzle.
This guide will walk you through the entire process, from uninstalling individual apps to wiping out all traces of Creative Cloud from your computer. We’ll cover both Windows and macOS, ensuring a clean break from Adobe’s creative powerhouse.

Understanding the Process: Why It’s Not Just a Simple Uninstall

Deleting Creative Cloud isn’t as straightforward as simply dragging an app to the trash. Unlike other programs, Creative Cloud integrates itself deeply into your system, leaving behind various files and settings that require careful removal.
Here’s a breakdown of why a simple uninstall won‘t suffice:

• Multiple Components: Creative Cloud is more than just individual apps like Photoshop or Illustrator. It includes background processes, shared libraries, and a core application that manages updates and licenses. These components need to be addressed individually.
• Persistent Settings: Creative Cloud stores your preferences, workspaces, and even cloud-based files. These settings can linger on your computer even after uninstalling the main apps.
• Cloud Integration: Creative Cloud relies heavily on cloud storage and syncing. Removing the apps doesn’t automatically delete your cloud files or break the connection to your Adobe account.

The Essential Steps: A Detailed Guide to Deleting Creative Cloud

Now let’s delve into the practical steps to completely remove Creative Cloud from your system. This guide assumes you’re using a standard user account with administrator privileges.
Step 1: Deactivate Your Creative Cloud Subscription
Before you start uninstalling anything, it’s essential to deactivate your Creative Cloud subscription. This prevents access to the apps and ensures you’re not billed for further usage.
1. Log in to your Adobe account: Visit the Adobe website and sign in using your Adobe ID.
2. Navigate to “Plans & Products”: Click on your profile picture in the top right corner and select “Plans & Products.”
3. Cancel your subscription: Locate the active Creative Cloud subscription you want to cancel. Click on the “Manage Plan” or “Cancel” button, depending on your subscription type.
4. Confirm the cancellation: Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation. You may need to provide a reason for leaving.
Step 2: Uninstall Individual Creative Cloud Apps
Once you’ve deactivated your subscription, it’s time to remove the individual Creative Cloud apps from your computer.
For Windows:
1. Open the “Control Panel”: Search for “Control Panel” in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Navigate to “Programs and Features”: Click on “Programs and Features” to view a list of installed applications.
3. Uninstall Creative Cloud apps: Select each Creative Cloud app you want to remove and click “Uninstall” or “Change/Remove.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
For macOS:
1. Open “Applications”: Navigate to the “Applications” folder in your Finder.
2. Locate Creative Cloud apps: Find the Creative Cloud apps you want to remove.
3. Drag to Trash: Drag each app to the Trash icon in the Dock.
4. Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash” to permanently delete the apps.
Step 3: Remove the Creative Cloud Desktop App
The Creative Cloud desktop app is a core component that manages updates, licenses, and other background processes. Removing it is crucial for a complete uninstall.
For Windows:
1. Open the “Control Panel”: Search for “Control Panel” and open it.
2. Navigate to “Programs and Features”: Click on “Programs and Features.”
3. Uninstall the Creative Cloud desktop app: Locate the “Adobe Creative Cloud” app and click “Uninstall.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
For macOS:
1. Open “Applications”: Navigate to the “Applications” folder in your Finder.
2. Locate the Creative Cloud desktop app: Find the “Adobe Creative Cloud” app.
3. Drag to Trash: Drag the app to the Trash icon in the Dock.
4. Empty Trash: Right-click on the Trash icon and select “Empty Trash.”
Step 4: Delete Remaining Creative Cloud Files and Folders
Even after uninstalling the apps and the desktop app, Creative Cloud might leave behind various files and folders. You can manually delete these for a truly clean uninstall.
Common locations to check:

• Windows:
• C:Program FilesAdobe
• C:Program Files (x86)Adobe
• C:UsersAppDataRoamingAdobe
• C:UsersAppDataLocalAdobe
• macOS:
• /Applications/Adobe
• /Library/Application Support/Adobe
• /Library/Preferences/Adobe
• ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
• ~/Library/Preferences/Adobe

Important Note: Before deleting any folders, make sure to back up any crucial files you might need.
Step 5: Clear Your Browser Data
Creative Cloud often stores cookies and cached data in your web browser. Clearing this data helps remove any lingering traces of your Adobe account and preferences.
For all browsers:
1. Open your browser’s settings: Go to the menu and select “Settings” or “Preferences.”
2. Navigate to “Privacy & Security”: Find the section related to privacy and security.
3. Clear browsing data: Look for options to clear cookies, cache, and browsing history.
4. Select the relevant time range: Choose “All time” or a specific time period to ensure a thorough clean.
Step 6: Sign Out of Your Adobe Account
Finally, it’s essential to sign out of your Adobe account from any remaining applications or websites. This ensures that Creative Cloud no longer has access to your data.
1. Log out of Creative Cloud apps: Open any remaining Creative Cloud apps and sign out from the account menu.
2. Log out of Adobe websites: Visit any Adobe website, such as the Creative Cloud website or Adobe.com, and sign out of your account.

Beyond the Basics: Additional Tips for a Complete Uninstall

Here are some additional tips to ensure a truly clean uninstall:

• Use a dedicated uninstaller: There are third-party uninstaller tools available that can help remove stubborn files and registry entries left behind by Creative Cloud.
• Check your system for lingering files: After completing the steps above, use a file search tool to look for remaining Creative Cloud files or folders.
• Restart your computer: After completing the uninstall process, restart your computer to ensure all changes are applied.

The Final Farewell: Time to Embrace a New Creative Journey

By following these steps, you’ve successfully removed Creative Cloud from your computer. You can now explore new creative software or simply enjoy the extra storage space. Remember, removing Creative Cloud doesn’t necessarily erase your cloud-based projects. You can still access them through your Adobe account.

Questions You May Have

Q: Will deleting Creative Cloud delete my cloud files?
A: No, deleting Creative Cloud from your computer won’t delete your cloud files. Your files will remain accessible through your Adobe account.
Q: Can I reinstall Creative Cloud after deleting it?
A: Yes, you can reinstall Creative Cloud at any time. You’ll need to sign in to your Adobe account and download the installer from the Adobe website.
Q: What happens to my Creative Cloud subscription after deleting the apps?
A: Your subscription will remain active until you cancel it. You can cancel your subscription through your Adobe account.
Q: Will deleting Creative Cloud remove my Adobe ID?
A: No, deleting Creative Cloud will not remove your Adobe ID. Your Adobe ID is a separate account that can be used to access other Adobe services.
Q: What if I encounter errors during the uninstall process?
A: If you encounter errors, try restarting your computer and attempting the uninstall again. If the problem persists, you can contact Adobe support for assistance.