Discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced files for business plans

What are synced files?

Creative Cloud has enabled users to save files on their local devices in a folder called Creative Cloud Files. The contents of this folder can be synced (copied) to the user's cloud storage via a process that runs on the local device. Files can be accessed locally on the device in a folder named Creative Cloud Files or through the Creative Cloud website within the Launch more menu (Synced files option). Folders and files synced to Creative Cloud through these means may also be shared with other Creative Cloud users. Creative Cloud Synced files are also integrated into some of Adobe’s mobile applications, including Photoshop, Express, Rush, and Fresco, as a vehicle to transfer files across devices.

After Synced files are discontinued, new Creative Cloud users will no longer have the option to utilize Creative Cloud file syncing and related cloud storage for file-based assets.

Adobe continues to offer and support cloud storage and syncing across Creative Cloud with Cloud Documents, Creative Cloud Libraries, Lightroom cloud storage, and Frame.io cloud storage. None of these cloud storage solutions are impacted by this change

How does this impact my organization?

If your organization is using Creative Cloud Synced files, the following may apply:

• Starting February 1, 2024, we will begin discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced files for personal users not associated with a Creative Cloud for Teams or Creative Cloud for Enterprise entitlement. This may impact your organization and result in the inability to share folders and files with new users outside your organization. All Adobe apps that leverage Creative Cloud Synced Files to enable users to share files across devices will remove those integrations.
• Starting October 1, 2024, Adobe will begin discontinuation of the Creative Cloud desktop synchronization service and the folder and file sharing capabilities of synced files for businesses under Creative Cloud for Teams and Creative Cloud for Enterprise plans. Files in your users’ Creative Cloud Files folder will no longer be copied to cloud storage. Additionally, files and folders shared from Synced files will no longer be accessible by others inside your organization or externally. Adobe will also begin to remove the Synced files section on the Creative Cloud website and permanently delete the assets within the cloud storage folder Synced files.
• All assets in your users' Creative Cloud Files folder will remain intact and under their complete control. Users may leave the assets in the Creative Cloud Files folder, or they can choose to move the assets to other Adobe supported storage solutions, like Frame.io or Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) assets, or third-party cloud storage solutions with sync capabilities.
• Adobe recommends that users sign into their Adobe account and sync the latest version of their assets before October 1, 2024. Beginning Feb 1, 2024, the Creative Cloud Files folder on users’ local devices will no longer be hidden when they sign out of Creative Cloud. The folder will be renamed to "Creative Cloud Files + <account type> + <profile_name> + <email> + <GUID> (for example: Creative Cloud Files Company Account email@abc.com ####@AdobeID). Users can rename the folder as they see fit.
• Creative Cloud will continue supporting file-based workflows on local devices, allowing users to choose where to store and manage their files. 
  

Why is Adobe discontinuing Creative Cloud Synced files?

Creative Cloud Synced Files provides generalized cloud storage capabilities which is not directly aligned with Adobe’s goal of supporting creative collaboration. Adobe will continue to invest in purpose-built services for creatives to access their creative work across devices and apps, and to enable collaboration with other creatives and stakeholders.

Is there an alternative to Creative Cloud Synced files?

Adobe offers a number of cloud-based solutions tailored to your needs. Cloud Documents, available in Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco, and Adobe Express enable saving and access to your work across desktop, mobile, and web surfaces. Creative Cloud Libraries, available in Creative Cloud applications and Adobe Express, enable organization, reuse, and sharing of brand and creative assets. Frame.io, included in most Creative Cloud subscription plans, supports sharing, storage, and review of a broad range of file types on web and mobile.

Cloud Documents

Cloud Documents are cloud-native files that you can open and edit in compatible apps. With cloud documents, your work is always updated, across every device, wherever you are. Compatible apps include Photoshop, Illustrator, Fresco, and Adobe Express. Cloud Documents also allow you to save your work from one compatible app and open them in another compatible app without losing any fidelity. Autosave allows you to view any past version of your document quickly. 

Creative Cloud Libraries

Creative Cloud Libraries let you gather design elements for specific projects, clients, or teams for use within Creative Cloud apps and Adobe Express. Libraries help ensure you and your team access the same brand elements for a project throughout its lifecycle, gather, organize, and share brand assets created in various apps for a project or client – from color palettes and character styles to logos, mnemonics, and approved imagery.

Frame.io

Frame.io offers web and mobile sharing, review, and approval of creative files from videos to images to PDFs and more. You can upload any filetype at lightning speed; organize and share with creative partners so everyone on your project has access to the right media when they need it; share custom branded presentations and review links to gather stakeholder feedback; access that feedback in Creative Cloud apps like Premiere and easily send out another version for approval.

Adobe Experience Manager Assets

With Adobe Experience Manager Assets, Adobe reinvented digital asset management, transforming it into a dynamic content engine that uses AI to streamline creative workflows and automate experience delivery at scale. Now, creative, marketing, and IT teams can easily collaborate to launch highly tailored experiences with speed and impact. With all your assets stored in a single cloud-based, AI-powered solution, you can manage high volumes of assets, continuously innovate, and ensure timely, relevant customer experiences.

What are my next steps?

Your organization's assets will remain in the end users' Creative Cloud Files folder on their local devices. We suggest evaluating Adobe supported solutions like Frame.io and AEM assets or third-party solutions with support for cloud-based backup and file sharing. Adobe will not be notifying your users of this upcoming change. As an administrator, you're responsible for informing your users and advising them on implementing alternative solutions that meet your organizational needs before the discontinuation of Synced files.

What happens to the Creative Cloud Files folder files on my users' local devices?

Files will remain in the Creative Cloud Files folder and will not be removed during this process. Sharing links will no longer be visible.