Adobe Creative Cloud update contains bug that deletes user data – update

A software bug in the latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud for Mac OS X may cause users to lose some of their data. The software automatically deletes the contents of the first folder in the root directory. Adobe has suspended distribution of the update.

The problem came to light when the developers of backup software Backblaze noticed that their customers were no longer able to recover data. This is because the Backblaze data is stored in a root folder called ‘.bzvol’. Since the bug in Adobe Creative Cloud causes the first folder to be emptied in alphabetical order, many users of this backup software are disadvantaged. For anyone who has already downloaded the update, Backblaze immediately comes up with a simple solution: create a folder in root called ‘.adobedontdeletemybzvol’. This works for users of the backup software as well as for users who don’t use Backblaze.

An Adobe spokesperson told Ars Technica that the company is aware of the issues and has therefore already halted distribution of the update. It would run on version 3.5.0.206 of Creative Cloud, according to the Backblaze developers. It is highly recommended for users who already have the update to create the dummy folder before logging into the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Creative Cloud is the cloud variant of Adobe’s editing programs such as Photoshop, Lightroom and Premiere. Users pay a fixed monthly fee and receive access to the latest versions of all Adobe editing programs on both desktop and mobile platforms. Projects can also be easily exchanged between these platforms. The service has roughly a million subscribers.

Update, 12:03 PM: The latest version of Adobe Creative Cloud, 3.5.1.209, should fix the problem, according to the release notes. The update was released today.