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Can I install my PS CS6 to a Windows 11 computer?

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My HP laptop that I purchased late 2021 is no longer being supported by HP and I’ve been having some problems with it. I had to purchase an USB keyboard because some of the letters in my laptop were no longer showing up.

So, I’m just purchasing a new Dell with Windows 11 (I’m basically terrified of Win 11) but I need to get something that I can just use when I need to.

The thing is, my PS CS6 was easily installed in that laptop with a disc. The new Dell just has a 1TB SSD, which has plenty of room but I truly don’t know if I would be able to install it. I’m feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment and would love to be able to get some good news from Adobe.

Thank you.

Jeff_A_WrightCorrect answer

Community Manager

Thread summary
A participant raised a thoughtful question about installing Adobe Photoshop CS6, which was initially acquired on a disc, on their recently purchased Windows 11 computer. They mentioned that their current laptop, which is no longer supported by the manufacturer, has been experiencing hardware issues, leading them to transition to a new device that, unfortunately, lacks an optical drive.
Troubleshooting steps / guidance mentioned by other participants

John T. Smith (Community Expert) recommends that you first deactivate CS6 on your old computer to keep your activation. Then, you should download it from your Adobe account at account.adobe.com/products. If needed, you can use an external USB DVD drive to install the program. He also suggests right-clicking the program icon or EXE file to choose a compatibility mode or selecting "Run as Administrator" for full permissions. He mentioned that Windows 11 works well with older programs without needing changes.
Kglad (Community Expert) stated that installing the software on the new computer is safe. However, he strongly advised against deactivating or uninstalling CS6 from the old computer, as this could prevent you from reactivating the software later.
Leo.r (Community Expert) noted that 16 GB of RAM might be insufficient for effective use of Adobe and other professional software.

Suggested solutions by Adobe
1. Check that your CS6 system and operating system are compatible before you install. Make sure your new computer meets the CS6 requirements and confirm that the app works well with Windows 11.
System requirements | Adobe Creative Suite 6
Adobe apps compatibility with Windows 11
2. To install CS6 on a new computer without a disc drive, download it directly from your Adobe account instead of using the disc.
Download and install Creative Suite 6
3. Find your CS6 serial number for activation. You can locate it in your purchase confirmation email or in your Adobe account.
Find serial number for your Adobe purchases
4. Before switching to your new computer, deactivate the software on the old one. A single-user CS6 license allows installation on two machines. To activate a third machine, first deactivate one installation via Help > Deactivate.
Activate or deactivate apps when switching to a new computer
Install, activate, or use Adobe apps on an additional device

solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

Hello, Mr. Wright,

Thank you so much for the suggested solutions, I just read the information in every single one of them.

My PS CS6 was a wonderful gift from my Son, back in 2012 - and, at that time I was using an HP computer with Vista. Unfortunately that computer is no longer working. And, I have NO idea how to revive a dead laptop. * yikes *

Thank you again for your kindness.

Best regards,

solarme

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Jeff_A_Wright

Correct answer

Community Manager

Thread summary
A participant raised a thoughtful question about installing Adobe Photoshop CS6, which was initially acquired on a disc, on their recently purchased Windows 11 computer. They mentioned that their current laptop, which is no longer supported by the manufacturer, has been experiencing hardware issues, leading them to transition to a new device that, unfortunately, lacks an optical drive.
Troubleshooting steps / guidance mentioned by other participants

John T. Smith (Community Expert) recommends that you first deactivate CS6 on your old computer to keep your activation. Then, you should download it from your Adobe account at account.adobe.com/products. If needed, you can use an external USB DVD drive to install the program. He also suggests right-clicking the program icon or EXE file to choose a compatibility mode or selecting "Run as Administrator" for full permissions. He mentioned that Windows 11 works well with older programs without needing changes.
Kglad (Community Expert) stated that installing the software on the new computer is safe. However, he strongly advised against deactivating or uninstalling CS6 from the old computer, as this could prevent you from reactivating the software later.
Leo.r (Community Expert) noted that 16 GB of RAM might be insufficient for effective use of Adobe and other professional software.

Suggested solutions by Adobe
1. Check that your CS6 system and operating system are compatible before you install. Make sure your new computer meets the CS6 requirements and confirm that the app works well with Windows 11.
System requirements | Adobe Creative Suite 6
Adobe apps compatibility with Windows 11
2. To install CS6 on a new computer without a disc drive, download it directly from your Adobe account instead of using the disc.
Download and install Creative Suite 6
3. Find your CS6 serial number for activation. You can locate it in your purchase confirmation email or in your Adobe account.
Find serial number for your Adobe purchases
4. Before switching to your new computer, deactivate the software on the old one. A single-user CS6 license allows installation on two machines. To activate a third machine, first deactivate one installation via Help > Deactivate.
Activate or deactivate apps when switching to a new computer
Install, activate, or use Adobe apps on an additional device

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solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

All these great conversations and info has me visiting you everyday! LOL

My trying to login has been surprising, because I do not understand what “Get a free email mask” is. Any info on that? or should I go and create another post?

Thank you for your help.

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Nancy OShea

Community Expert

If you’ve invested in new equipment, it deserves new software. Windows 11 is a vast improvement over other Win versions. I think you’ll like it once you start using it.

CS6 was built to run on WinXP which no longer exists. Windows has made massive changes to file management & operating systems since 2012. Nobody can guarantee if CS6 will install, much less activate, on your new machine. Even if you get over those two hurdles, CS6 will never be as good as modern software because it wasn’t built for use on new equipment.

Best advice, keep your old computer for legacy CS6. Run it until it won’t run anymore.

Get new software for your screaming fast new DELL machine. You’ll be glad you did.

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Good luck.

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Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert

solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

Nancy, it’s so nice to hear from you! Thank you for the kind words and positive feedback. I have a feeling that you are right… that perhaps I should just keep what I have and just start new. Yikes! ALL will be NEW! And, so much to learn! 😅

And, thank you for the link, I will check everything out.

Love the “screaming fast” description, I imagine that 8 cores are better than what I have in this old HP (intel Core i5.)

The thing is… I have heard that the laptop I was going to order, with AMD Radeon Graphics, (AMD Ryzen 7, 250,) (16GB. 1TB SSD) is not quite as good as other chips for Photoshop work. I’m wondering of perhaps a new Dell with an Intel core 7 might be a better thing for me to order.

Best regards.

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leo.r

Community Expert

16GB

Can you get more than 16 GB RAM? In my view, 16 GB is not enough to use Adobe products (as well as other professional software) efficiently these days.

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kglad

Community Expert

do NOT deactivate from your old computer until and unless you’re prepared to lose all use of cs6 forever. and definitely do not deactivate unless necessary and you’re apprised of the significant risk of not being able to re-activate.

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solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you Kglad. The other laptop I was talking about is an old Vista one, which I haven’t used since 2021.

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John T Smith

Community Expert

1st step is to DEACTIVATE on the old computer so you don’t lose the activation

You MAY be able to download from https://account.adobe.com/products - or, if not, buy an external USB DVD to do the install

Two ideas that MAY work to install and/or run old programs in Windows 11
-RIGHT click the program icon or EXE and select a compatibility mode in the pop up option window
-and/or select Run as Administrator to assign FULL Windows permissions
-also https://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/create-local-administrator-account-windows.html

NOTE I have 4 very old IGT Slot games that I installed on Win11 (32bit x86 mode on 64bit OS)
I did not have to select a compatibility mode or run as Admin... Win11 just accepted them
So in my experience Microsoft has done a very good job with backwards compatibility
Program EXE dated 10-07-2015 Game of the Gods
Program EXE dated 03-06-2012 Diamond Galaxy
Program EXE dated 11-18-2011 Lucky Larry
Program EXE dated 08-04-2010 Wolf Run

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solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

Thank you, John. Seems like the key words here are “Deactivate on the old computer ONLY!”

I am puzzled by the suggestion to purchase an “external USB DVD”. I do have an WD Easystore 1 TB external hard drive… is that what you’re referring to?

I’m glad to know that you had no problems with your older games, that gives me hope. Do you also have a Dell computer/laptop or something else?

I appreciate your great suggestions and the link John, thank you.

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leo.r

Community Expert

I am puzzled by the suggestion to purchase an “external USB DVD”. I do have an WD Easystore 1 TB external hard drive… is that what you’re referring to?

In your original message, you said:

The thing is, my PS CS6 was easily installed in that laptop with a disc.

It can be interpreted as though you used a CD to install CS6 back then, hence the advice to purchase an external DVD drive, as far as I understand.

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kglad

Community Expert

it won’t hurt anything to try installing on your new computer, but don’t deactivate and don’t uninstall cs6 from your old computer.

if your very lucky, you will be able to install and activate on your new win 11 computer. check your account, https://account.adobe.com for the installation file (and serial number) that you can download and try to install.

most likely you’ll have a problem with that installation. report back here the exact message.

but as mentioned, keep that old computer as insurance.

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solarmeAuthor

Known Participant

Kglad, thank you for the link and the suggestion to check for the installation file - duly noted.

The thing is, I have my PS CS6 also on an older Vista laptop, which I have not used since I got this laptop I have now with Windows 10.

I think that I may need to deactivate that one because it has not been used since 2021 - and that opens the door for me to be able to have my CS6 in my new laptop (since I believe Adobe only allows the software on 2 computers)

I am purchasing a Dell 16, which is totally new for me, since I have always had HP. I will have to make the decision of how I am going to work CS6 since ALL new laptops come without the right/left clicks. So now I will have to also purchase a Mouse to be able to use CS6.

*big sigh* So many things to do, so much to learn.

😑

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kglad

Community Expert

deactivation may be needed, but you don’t know that yet. and it’s a big risk if care about maintaining that vista computer.

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