Where to put brush files so Photoshop finds them

Photoshop looks for brushes in a specific folder on your computer. When you download a brush file (usually a .abr file), you need to move it into that folder so Photoshop can see it. The location depends on whether you use Windows or Mac, and which version of Photoshop you have.

For Photoshop 2020 and newer on Windows, the folder is: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop [Version]\Presets\Brushes. On Mac, it's /Users/[Your Username]/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Photoshop [Version]/Presets/Brushes. For older versions of Photoshop (before 2020), the path is similar but the folder structure may be slightly different — check Adobe's documentation for your exact version.

The easiest way to find the right folder without typing the path is to open Photoshop, go to Edit (Windows) or Photoshop (Mac), then Preferences, then Presets. Click the button that says Show All Presets Folder or Reveal Presets Folder. This opens the presets folder on your computer. From there, navigate into the Brushes subfolder.

Key Takeaways

  • Brush files (.abr) must go into your Photoshop Presets/Brushes folder, which is hidden by default on both Windows and Mac.
  • The fastest way to find the correct folder is through Photoshop's Preferences menu, not by hunting through hidden folders manually.
  • After you move a brush file into the folder, restart Photoshop completely before the new brushes appear in your brush panel.
  • You can also drag and drop .abr files directly into the Photoshop window on some versions, which automatically installs them.

Step-by-step installation for Windows

Step 1: Download your brush file. Save the .abr file to your Downloads folder or Desktop. If it comes in a .zip file, right-click it and select Extract All first.

Step 2: Open Photoshop and find the presets folder. Go to Edit > Preferences > Presets. Click Show All Presets Folder. A File Explorer window opens showing your presets location.

Step 3: Navigate to the Brushes folder. In the File Explorer window, double-click the Brushes folder. This is where all your brush files live.

Step 4: Move your brush file into this folder. Go back to your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the .abr file). Cut or copy the brush file, then paste it into the Brushes folder you just opened.

Step 5: Restart Photoshop. Close Photoshop completely and reopen it. The new brushes now appear in your Brushes panel on the right side of the screen.

Step-by-step installation for Mac

Step 1: Download your brush file. Save the .abr file to your Downloads folder. If it's in a .zip file, double-click it to extract it automatically.

Step 2: Open Photoshop and find the presets folder. Go to Photoshop (top menu) > Preferences > Presets. Click Reveal Presets Folder. Finder opens and shows your presets location.

Step 3: Navigate to the Brushes folder. In Finder, double-click the Brushes folder to open it.

Step 4: Move your brush file into this folder. Drag your .abr file from Downloads into the Brushes folder. You can also copy and paste it the same way you would any other file.

Step 5: Restart Photoshop. Quit Photoshop entirely and reopen it. Your new brushes appear in the Brushes panel.

Using the drag-and-drop method (faster on some versions)

Photoshop 2021 and newer allow you to install brushes by dragging them directly into the Photoshop window. Download your .abr file, then drag it onto the Photoshop canvas or window. A dialog box appears asking if you want to install the brushes. Click Install.

This method skips the folder navigation entirely, but it only works on newer versions. If the drag-and-drop doesn't work, use the folder method instead — it works on all versions.

Troubleshooting: Brushes don't appear after installation

The most common reason brushes don't show up is that you didn't restart Photoshop after moving the files. Close Photoshop completely (not just minimizing it) and open it again. Check that the brush file is actually in the Brushes folder — sometimes the file stays in Downloads by mistake.

If the brushes still don't appear, check that you're looking in the right brush panel. In Photoshop, the Brushes panel is usually on the right side of the screen. If you don't see it, go to Window > Brushes to open it. You may also need to scroll down in the Brushes panel to find your newly installed brushes — they often appear at the bottom of the list.

On Windows, make sure you're not trying to install brushes into a read-only folder. If you get a permission error, move the file to your Desktop first, then try again. On Mac, check that the Library folder is visible in Finder — go to Finder > Preferences > Advanced and check Show all filename extensions.

Where to find brushes to download

Brushes come from many sources. Adobe's own brush library is built into Photoshop — go to Window > Brushes and look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) at the top right of the panel. Click it and select Get More Brushes to browse Adobe's free and paid options.

Other sites like Brusheezy, DeviantArt, and Creative Market offer free and paid brushes. Always download from sources you trust, and scan .abr files with antivirus software before installing them if you're downloading from unfamiliar sites. Most brushes from established sources are safe, but it's a good habit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install multiple brushes at once?

Yes. If you have several .abr files, move them all into the Brushes folder at the same time. Restart Photoshop once, and all of them appear together. You can also select multiple files and drag them into the Photoshop window at once on newer versions.

What if my brush file is a .zip or .rar file instead of .abr?

Right-click the compressed file and select Extract All (Windows) or double-click it (Mac). This creates a new folder containing the .abr files inside. Move those .abr files into your Brushes folder, not the folder itself.

Do I need to uninstall old brushes before installing new ones?

No. You can have as many brushes installed as you want. If you want to remove a brush, just delete the .abr file from your Brushes folder and restart Photoshop. The brush disappears from your panel.

Will installing brushes slow down Photoshop?

Having many brushes installed has minimal impact on Photoshop's speed. The brushes only load when you open the Brushes panel, so they won't slow down your actual work unless you have thousands of them.