Fix Adobe Error 16: 'Please Uninstall and Reinstall'

Updated: 11/29/2025

You launch Photoshop or Acrobat, and it crashes immediately with: 'Configuration error. Please uninstall and reinstall the product. Error: 16'. Reinstalling rarely fixes this. This error specifically means the application cannot write to the SLStore (License Store) or SLCache folders because your Windows User Account lacks the 'Write' permission for those directories.

Table of Contents

Method 1: Fix SLStore Permissions

We need to manually grant your user account full control over the license folder.

Step 1: Navigate

Open File Explorer and go to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SLStore

Step 2: Properties

Right-click SLStore > Properties > Security tab.

Step 3: Edit Permissions

Click Edit. Select your User Account (and 'Users'). Check the box for Full Control. Click Apply.

Method 2: Fix SLCache Permissions

Repeat the exact same process for the cache folder.

Navigate to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SLCache

Right-click > Properties > Security > Edit > Give 'Users' Full Control.

Method 3: Run as Administrator

If you don't want to mess with folder permissions, you can force the app to use Admin rights every time.

  • Right-click the Photoshop/Adobe icon.
  • Select Properties > Compatibility.
  • Check 'Run this program as an administrator'.
  • Click OK. This overrides the permission block.