A Creative Cloud update that was recently released by Adobe has been deleting Mac users' files without warning, reports Ars Technica. The 3.5.0.206 update, now pulled by Adobe, deleted the contents of the first folder listed alphabetically in a Mac's root directory. Files were deleted after the update was installed and users logged into the Adobe service.

The bug has affected customers in different ways depending on the content that was listed first in the directory. Many customers who use backup service Backblaze had problems with the service because a hidden root folder called .bzvol was the file that was listed first and subsequently deleted. Backblaze made a video demonstrating the issue:


As Ars Technica points out, many Mac users' first folder is .DocumentRevisions-V100, which is used by the Mac's autosave feature and can cause problems if deleted.

The Adobe bug could also have dire consequences for users who have important folders with spaces in them, since those also assume a top alphabetically sorted spot on the Mac hard drive (which by default is labeled Macintosh HD).

An Adobe spokesperson said the company is investigating the issue and has pulled the distribution of the update until the problem is fixed. Creative Cloud users should avoid updating until a clear fix is provided by Adobe, and as an extra layer of precaution, a fake folder with a name that will place it in the top spot in the root directory may also help users avoid issues.

Tag: Adobe

Top Rated Comments

sualpine Avatar
114 months ago
Adobe: making crappy software that for some reason people still use since 1982.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
John.B Avatar
114 months ago
This shows the problem with auto updating software, and is why many creatives go months or even years between updates.

Stability is a feature.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hollersoft Avatar
114 months ago
Why does an application installer have write permission to the root of the file system??
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2013.1 Avatar
114 months ago
2016 is the year of change.

The first two I already use for about 20 % of my Jobs.

Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
logicstudiouser Avatar
114 months ago
I feel extremely fortunate, I have been able to skip the creative cloud nightmare.
When I attended my college in 2012, it was the last year students could get the CS6 suites for free - which works for life and runs without issue.
Now at my school, the adobe suites creative cloud is valid for 1 year free - and you pay by subscription going forward.
CS6 hasn't gotten updates in a while, but I have no complaints. The apps I use work without issue.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
btrach144 Avatar
114 months ago
Adobe: making crappy software that for some reason people still use since 1982.
Luckily I cancelled my creative cloud subscription and got their crap off my computer last week.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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