At any given time, your computer runs hundreds, if not thousands, of background processes that make programs and services run as expected. As important as these background processes are, they can sometimes cause issues with your PC’s performance, whether you’re using Windows or macOS.
In this article, we’re talking about CCXProcess, what it is, what it does, why it might be hogging your CPU, and what you can do to fix the problem.
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What is CCXProcess?
Use any of Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite of programs. You’ll also have to install the Creative Cloud dashboard for administrative tasks such as managing your subscription and programs and getting timely updates. CCXProcess, otherwise called the Creative Cloud Content Manager, is a process that runs in the background and integrates all Creative Cloud programs.
This means that programs such as Premiere Pro and After Effects or Photoshop and Lightroom can work together and hand off files to each other. Thanks to this process, Adobe can offer a much better user experience, making switching between multiple programs easy. Users don’t have to export files or finalise their edits in one place before moving on to another workflow step.
It also ensures that Adobe’s dynamic content, such as stock photos, videos, and tutorials, is available across Creative Cloud apps. Additionally, updates to the content library and Creative Cloud programs are delivered via this process.
Why is CCXProcess consuming too many CPU resources?
By design, CCXProcess only works when it is required. This means that CCXProcess shouldn’t be active or consuming your system’s resources unless you have a Creative Cloud program running. However, there are some cases where CCXProcess can cause troubles in your system.
Generally speaking, if any Creative Cloud files are missing or corrupt, the process can run in a loop and take up more system resources than required. Alternatively, you could also be experiencing a malware infection. It’s common practice for threat actors to disguise malware or viruses as legitimate programs so the user doesn’t suspect they’re being hacked.
Here’s how to check if the process running on your PC is a legitimate program and not malware.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access menu. Click Task Manager.
Step 2: Find CCXProcess, right-click it and select Open file location.
Step 3: If the file is located in C:\Program Files\Adobe Systems\Adobe Creative Cloud, C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe, or any other Adobe-associated folders (on both Windows and Mac), you’re good to go. Otherwise, immediately stop the process, delete the file from its location, and run an antivirus scan on your PC.
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How to fix CCXProcess issues?
If you’ve established that the CCXProcess instance running your PC is legitimate, but it’s still causing issues, follow these steps to fix the problem.
Disable CCXProcess at launch using Adobe Creative Cloud (Mac/Windows)
CCXProcess automatically launches at startup, so it’s ready to go when you launch an Adobe program. However, you can disable this behaviour in the Creative Cloud dashboard. This guide applies to both Windows and Mac systems.
Step 1: Launch the Creative Cloud dashboard and click the settings button in the top-right corner.
Step 2: Head over to Preferences.
Step 3: Then click Appearance. Uncheck the Launch Creative Cloud at login option. You can also uncheck the toggle beside Run Creative Cloud in the background after closing to ensure the CCXProcess stops after you close the Creative Cloud app.
Now restart your PC; CCXProcess shouldn’t start until you launch a Creative Cloud program. If you unchecked the second option too, CCXProcess will also end once you close Creative Cloud.
Disable CCXProcess at launch via Windows Settings
Another quick way to disable CCXProcess from starting when you boot your Windows PC is to disable it via the Startup Apps settings. Follow the steps below to disable CCXProcess and other Adobe apps, including Creative Cloud, from launching when your computer boots.
Step 1: Open Settings on Windows and click on Apps in the sidebar. Then click on the Startup option at the bottom of the page.
Step 2: Switch the toggle off beside CCXProcess and Creative Cloud.
CCXProcess won’t launch automatically until you launch Creative Cloud or one of the Adobe apps. If CCXProcess still appears after a restart, consider disabling all Adobe apps installed on your PC from launching on startup.
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Disable CCXProcess using Task Manager
Alternatively, you can use the Task Manager to disable the CCXProcess at system startup.
Step 1: Press the Windows key + X to open the Quick Access menu. Click Task Manager.
Step 2: Head over to Startup apps, select CCXProcess and click the Disable button in the top right.
Now restart your PC; CCXProcess shouldn’t start until you launch a Creative Cloud program.
Disable CCXProcess using Registry Editor
While we don’t recommend it, disabling CCXProcess using the Registry Editor on Windows can effectively stop the program from launching. That said, it can also cause Creative Cloud programs not to function as intended, so proceed cautiously.
Step 1: Press Windows Key + R to open the Run prompt. Type regedit and hit enter.
Step 2: Head over to the following location.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE>SOFTWARE>Policies>Adobe
Step 3: Right-click the Adobe folder, hover over New and click Key.
Step 4: Rename the newly made folder to CCXWelcome.
Step 5: Inside the newly made CCXWelcome folder, right-click the empty space on the right, hover over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 6: Double-click the new value, rename it to Disabled, and set the value to 0. Click OK to save your changes.
Now restart your PC so the new settings take effect, and CCXProcess shouldn’t pester you anymore.
Also read: How to fix Adobe error 183?
