How to Permanently Fix the “This App Has Been Disabled” Pop-Up in Adobe Software
If you use Adobe software like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, or Acrobat on Windows, chances are you’ve encountered the frustrating message that suddenly appears:
“This app has been disabled.”
This pop-up can interrupt your workflow, appear repeatedly, and completely break your concentration. In some cases, the message shows up for valid reasons such as licensing or connectivity issues. But in many situations, it’s simply a false error or background communication problem that can be safely resolved.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through a simple and effective way to stop this message from appearing by using Windows Firewall Advanced Settings. This method works for multiple Adobe applications and takes only a few minutes to set up.
Let’s dive in and fix it once and for all.
Why Does Adobe Show the “This App Has Been Disabled” Message?
Adobe applications rely on background services and network communication to function properly. Sometimes, however, these background checks can misfire due to:
- Windows Firewall conflicts
- Corrupt background services
- Network instability
- Software updates or sync issues
- Cached authentication errors
When this happens, Adobe may display a warning even though the software itself works perfectly fine. The good news is that Windows allows us to manage how applications communicate through the firewall, which can prevent these unnecessary pop-ups.
Important note: This tutorial is intended for troubleshooting persistent error messages on legitimately installed software. If the message continues even after following these steps, Adobe Support should be contacted.
Video Tutorial: Step-by-Step Walkthrough
If you prefer watching instead of reading, here’s a quick video tutorial that visually walks through the entire process:
You can follow along with the video or continue reading below for detailed written instructions.
How to Stop the Adobe “This App Has Been Disabled” Pop-Up on Windows
This solution uses Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to manage how a specific Adobe application communicates in the background.
Step 1: Open Windows Firewall Advanced Settings
- Click on the Start button.
- Type Firewall.
- Select Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security from the results.
This advanced firewall panel allows you to create precise rules for individual programs.
Step 2: Create a New Outbound Rule
- In the left panel, click Outbound Rules.
- On the right side, select New Rule.
- In the rule wizard, choose Program and click Next.
Outbound rules control how applications send data from your computer.
Step 3: Select the Adobe Program Executable
Now you’ll need to select the specific Adobe application causing the pop-up.
- Choose This program path.
- Click Browse.
- Navigate to the Adobe program’s installation folder.
For example, Photoshop is usually located at:
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop\Photoshop.exe
You can also right-click the desktop shortcut, select Open file location, and choose the executable file.
Once selected, click Next.
Step 4: Block the Connection
- Select Block the connection.
- Click Next.
This prevents the specific background process responsible for triggering the repeated message.
Step 5: Apply the Rule to All Networks
Make sure all boxes are checked:
- Domain
- Private
- Public
Click Next to continue.
Step 6: Name the Rule
Give the rule a clear and recognizable name, such as:
- Photoshop Notification Block
- Adobe Premiere Pop-Up Fix
- Adobe App Disable Error
Click Finish.
The rule is now active.
Repeat for Other Adobe Applications (Optional)
If you experience the same issue with other Adobe software like:
- Premiere Pro
- After Effects
- Illustrator
- Acrobat
Simply repeat the same process and select the correct executable file for each application. Just be sure to give each rule a unique name.
How to Undo the Changes (Restore the Notification)
If you ever want to reverse this change, Windows makes it easy.
- Open Firewall with Advanced Security.
- Go to Outbound Rules.
- Find the rule you created.
- Right-click it and select Delete.
The application will return to its default behavior immediately.
Final Thoughts
Constant pop-up messages can seriously disrupt your creative flow, especially when working on time-sensitive projects. Thankfully, Windows gives us the tools to manage how applications behave behind the scenes.
By following this guide, you can eliminate the distracting “This app has been disabled” message and get back to doing what matters most—creating, editing, and designing without interruptions.
If you found this tutorial helpful, consider bookmarking it or sharing it with others who might be dealing with the same issue.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is this method safe?
Yes, this approach simply manages how a specific application communicates in the background. It does not modify or delete any program files.
Will this break Adobe updates?
Updates are handled by separate Adobe services. If you encounter update issues, you can temporarily disable or delete the firewall rule.
Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes, the steps are identical on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Can I use this for non-Adobe software?
Absolutely. The same method can be used for other applications that trigger unnecessary background pop-ups.
What if the message still appears?
If the issue persists, consider reinstalling the application or contacting Adobe Support, as it may indicate a deeper system or account-level issue.
Thanks for reading, and happy editing!