I wasn't ignoring you. I only just noticed this post.
Someone blamed Nik plug-ins. I'm not sure about that. I use Nik plug-ins and I have never had a problem with them.
Just because other people have the same problems you do, doesn't necessarily mean the fault is with Photoshop. People frequently complain here that Photoshop doesn't work as they expect it to. Almost always it is because they have not taken the trouble to find out how it should work or because their hardware is not up to the job.
When I asked if your machine met the system requirement you answered "Pretty sure".
I think that now is the time to be "Very sure".
Make sure that your system meets ALL the hardware and operating system requirements for this version of Photoshop.
Look at the requirements at the beginning of this thread and at the requirements for this Photoshop version on the Adobe site.
Look at ALL the requirements.
Look at all the requirements CAREFULLY.
Follow and read ALL related links.
Do not forget graphics card requirements.
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