Troubleshoot ABR Files
Issues Opening ABR Files
Adobe Photoshop Not Present
When you double-click your ABR file, you may see a dialog box from your operating system stating that it "Cannot Open This File Type". When this happens, it is commonly due to Adobe Photoshop missing in %%os%%. Because your operating system doesn't know what to do with this file, you won't be able to open it by double-clicking.
Tip: Another ABR-related program can be selected to open the file by clicking "Show Apps" and finding the application.
Wrong Version of Adobe Photoshop is Installed
Occasionally, you might have an outdated version of Adobe Photoshop installed that's incompatible with your Adobe Photoshop Brushes File type. Download the latest Adobe Photoshop version from the Adobe Systems Incorporated website to ensure you have the correct one installed. This issue mainly occurs when your Adobe Photoshop Brushes File file was created by a newer version of Adobe Photoshop than you have on your PC.
Tip: You can sometimes get hints about the right program version by right-clicking on the ABR file, selecting "Properties", and looking at the version information.
Ultimately, most of the difficulties opening ABR files are due to having the wrong version of Adobe Photoshop installed.
Other Causes of ABR File Opening Problems
Assuming you have the right Adobe Photoshop version installed, other problems can prevent you from opening ABR files. If you are continuing to have errors with loading ABR files, other external issues might be to blame. These other problems include (listed in order from most to least common):
- Windows Registry ABR file paths that are incorrect
- Unintentional removal of the description of the ABR file inside the Windows Registry
- Invalid installation of a ABR-associated program (eg. Adobe Photoshop)
- Something has caused file corruption of your ABR
- Past or present virus infection has affected your ABR
- Drivers associated with ABR software need to be updated
- Your PC doesn’t have enough available resources to open the Adobe Photoshop Brushes File file
Quiz: Which file extension is the oldest in existence?
That's Correct!
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.
Close, but not quite...
The text file, or "TXT" for short, is the oldest file extension in existence. Although the exact date is unknown, it is thought to have been invented in the late-1960's.