Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is locked …

HS
Posted By
Haris_Subacius
Dec 15, 2003
Views
470
Replies
8
Status
Closed
I searched and seen a number of postings on this question, but no answers. Photoshop Knowledge Tree lists a solution for this exact problem, except in that version it is a solution for Photoshop Elements on a Mac. I am running Photoshop CS on Windows XP Professional.

Here’s what happens. I get a message "Could not initialize Photoshop because the file is locked. User ‘Properties’ command in the Windows explorer to unlock the file."

My question: which file?

Additional info. This only happens when I am in a non-administrative account. The Photoshop was loading fine in the non-administrative account at first, but then a crash happened when I was trying to scan with the HP software plug-in. I had to end programs and restart the machine. Since then, I can only use Photoshop CS with an administrator’s account. When I give administrative privileges to the account in question, I can use the Photoshop as well.

I reinstalled the program, but no luck in fixing the problem.

Any help appreciated!

Thanks,
Haris
Related Tags
file initialization lock

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L
LenHewitt
Dec 16, 2003
Harris,

Does it run OK for Power User accounts?
HS
Haris_Subacius
Dec 16, 2003
Hi Len,

No, I have Power User privileges on the account in question and it does not work. The only way I don’t get the error message is when I use the Administrator’s account.

Thanks and please help.
MM
Mike_Marketello
Dec 16, 2003
Did you try right clicking on the file in your windows explorer, and go to the properties?

I then think you can uncheck the box that says archive if I remember right, and that has done it for me a couple of times when this happened to me.

I know this works when you try to start PS by clicking on a psd file, so `maybe if you try it with the PS.exe file and see if it is archived
SS
Stephanie_Schaefer
Dec 16, 2003
Did you completely uninstall the app, including user settings, prior to reinstalling? Have you tried deleting prefs when launching as the non-Admin user?

I’m not certain whether or not having "ready for archiving" would make a difference but you can check this in Properties | Advanced pane.
L
LenHewitt
Dec 17, 2003
Harris,

I’d suspect the prefs file – each user account has their own prefs which will not be deleted when uninstalling. Suggest you try deleting it – details in the FAQ at the top of this forum’s topic list
AP
amie_park
Feb 3, 2004
Haris,

Did you ever solve this problem? I heard of someone else with this problem and was hoping you had solved it.

Thanks!
Amie
HS
Haris_Subacius
Feb 4, 2004
Yes I did. I don’t remember exactly what I had to do exactly, but there is a key combination that you need to press while Photoshop is loading. It cancels all the presets. I found the key-combination in one of the Adobe’s .pdf files that are written to the directory where the Photoshop is installed. I believe a quick search in the Help would make it easy to find them.

I think it was Ctrl+Alt+Shift, or just Ctrl+Alt.

Alternatively, I saw postings on how to find and delete the preferences files. In my case that was the problem. Sorry, can’t tell you where exactly those files are either.

I hope this helps…

Haris
RL
roger_leale
Feb 4, 2004
Harry, I don’t know if you have solved this problem by now but I have just found this forum. I had the same problem, the answer is in MS Knowledge Base Article – 308421
Good luck,

Roger

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