Error: "You don't have access to manage apps" or Apps tab missing in Adobe Creative Cloud


Symptoms

When you try to install Adobe Creative Cloud on your computer, you receive the following error message during the installation process:

You don't have access to manage apps.

Permission from your IT administrator may be required to enable apps management.

example screenshot

Your "Apps" tab may also be missing in Adobe Creative Cloud.

Cause

Unknown

Resolution

NOTE: The person performing these steps may need administrative privileges.

1) Exit (quit) all Adobe apps.

2) Locate or create the ServiceConfig.xml file.

  • macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe/OOBE/Configs/ServiceConfig.xml
  • Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\Configs\ServiceConfig.xml

3) Copy the file to an alternate location, such as your Desktop. Then, open the copy in a text editor such as TextEdit or Notepad.

4) In the file, find the <visible> element and change the value from false to true to enable the "Apps" panel.

EXAMPLE:

<config>

    <panel>

        <name>AppsPanel</name>

        <visible>true</visible>

    </panel>

</config>

5) Save the edited file and copy it back to the "Configs" folder from which you copied it, replacing the original file.

6) Launch the Creative Cloud desktop app.

7) If that does not resolve the problem, you may need to restart the computer. It may also require some Adobe CC app updates before the error goes away.

Outcome

You are able to install Creative Cloud successfully.

Workaround

For more available solutions, please view the article How to: Uninstall and reinstall Adobe Creative Cloud to solve many common problems.