How to Reset Photoshop Workspace to Default Settings

When panels disappear or get rearranged by mistake, Adobe Photoshop's interface can quickly become difficult to navigate. This guide provides the exact steps needed to restore your Photoshop workspace to its factory default layout, whether you need to fix a single misplaced panel or perform a complete reset of the entire application's interface preferences.

Method 1: Reset the Active Workspace

The fastest way to fix rearranged, floating, or missing panels is to reset the currently active workspace.

  1. Open Adobe Photoshop.
  2. In the top menu bar, click on Window.
  3. Hover over Workspace.
  4. Click Reset [Workspace Name] (for example, Reset Essentials if you are using the default setup).

Alternative shortcut: Click the Workspace Switcher icon in the upper-right corner of the interface (next to the minimize/maximize buttons) and select Reset [Workspace Name] from the drop-down menu.

Method 2: Switch Back to the Default Essentials Workspace

If you accidentally switched to a specialized workspace (such as Photography, Painting, or Graphic and Web), you can return to the factory layout:

  1. Click on Window in the top menu.
  2. Hover over Workspace.
  3. Select Essentials (Default).
  4. If the layout still looks disorganized, go back to Window > Workspace and click Reset Essentials.

Method 3: Restore Missing Individual Panels

If only one specific tool or panel is missing (such as the Layers, Tools, or Color panel):

  1. Click on Window in the top menu bar.
  2. Look for the name of the missing panel in the list.
  3. Click the panel name to place a checkmark next to it. The panel will immediately reappear on your screen.

Method 4: Completely Reset All Preferences to Factory Defaults

If resetting the workspace does not resolve the issue, you can clear all Photoshop settings and return the entire software to its original installation state.

Using the In-App Menu

  1. On Windows, go to Edit > Preferences > General. On macOS, go to Photoshop > Settings (or Preferences) > General.
  2. Click the Reset Preferences On Quit button.
  3. Click OK to confirm.
  4. Close and restart Photoshop.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut at Startup

  1. Close Photoshop completely.
  2. Relaunch the application while immediately holding down the following keys:
    • Windows: Ctrl + Alt + Shift
    • macOS: Command + Option + Shift
  3. A dialog box will appear asking, "Delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings File?"
  4. Click Yes. Photoshop will open with all default factory settings restored.