Participant

Answered

How to install previous version of Illustrator v28

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
February 23, 2026
38 replies
610 views

I need a version of Illustrator that is no longer available through the “Other Versions” option in the Creative Cloud program. I need v28 because a critical plugin I use no longer supports v29 or v30. Google searches tells me that support can provide downloads for older versions.

how-to

Correct answer Anubhav M

Hello everyone,

If you’re looking for help downloading Adobe Illustrator or any other Creative Cloud apps, we’ve got you covered! Please visit the Download & Install community board to post your query.

[Note: Marking correct for visibility.]

Anubhav

Anubhav M

Correct answer

Community Manager

Hello everyone,

If you’re looking for help downloading Adobe Illustrator or any other Creative Cloud apps, we’ve got you covered! Please visit the Download & Install community board to post your query.

[Note: Marking correct for visibility.]

Anubhav

johnsmithy

Participant

Installing a previous version of Adobe Illustrator, such as v28 (Illustrator 2024), is actually a very straightforward process that doesn't require downloading risky files from third-party websites. If you have an active Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, you can manage and roll back your software versions directly through the official app. To start, open the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop application on your computer and navigate to the "All Apps" section. Scroll down until you find Illustrator, and instead of clicking the usual open or update button, click on the three horizontal dots (the "More Actions" icon) right next to it. From the dropdown menu, select "Other Versions," which will bring up a complete list of older, compatible builds available for deployment. Simply locate the v28 release from that list and click "Install" to begin the automated setup.

However, if you are running multiple versions or working on critical client projects, there are a few important details to keep in mind during installation to avoid disrupting your workflow. By default, the Creative Cloud installer might try to remove your most recent version unless you customize the preferences. During the installation prompt, make sure to uncheck the option that says "Remove older versions" if you want to keep your current version alongside v28 for side-by-side troubleshooting. Additionally, it is highly recommended to back up your custom actions, workspaces, and preferences beforehand, as shifting between different major versions can sometimes reset your personalized panel layouts and keyboard shortcuts.

Cole28753119595r

Participant

Thank you so much! I have tried this method, when I go to ADMIN CONSOLE it tells me that I do not have access to this. I am the only email tied to this account. Any suggestions?

Cole28753119595r

Participant

Can you please send me the link to illustrator 2024 (V28), yes my computer is up to par with specs. Windows please. Thank you so much!

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @Cole28753119595r

I have sent you a DM with more details. Kindly check your inbox.

Anubhav

alecs34756126

Participant

Hello, could I have the download link for version Illustrator v28.5? Thank you!

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @alecs34756126

Thanks for reaching out. Could you confirm the OS version installed and the system specs (CPU/GPU/Memory) for your device so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

alecs34756126

Participant

Hello, I am running macOS Tahoe Version 26.5.1! I just need the older version for personal preference on Tools! Could I have the download link for Illustrator v28.5? It doesn’t show up in the download window for “Other versions” in Creative Cloud. Thanks!

mattb256

Participating Frequently

I would also like access to the last release version of Illustrator 28. The oldest version available on the CC app is 29.0.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @mattb256

Thanks for reaching out. Could you confirm the OS version installed and the system specs (CPU/GPU/Memory) for your device so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

mattb256

Participating Frequently

Hello. I’m running Windows 10. CPU: i7-7700K, 32GB RAM, GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti.

packpool

Participant

I would also like the Illustrator 2024 (28.x) version.
With a standard PDXx4 export, the PDFs become extremely large (7 MB → 130 MB)

This is what AI (Claude) told me about it:
The 72 images in the large PDF are saved as separations – this means that Illustrator has embedded the spot colours (P 348 C, P 3524 C) as separate channels for each image, each ~5 MB uncompressed. In the smaller PDF, the same images are stored as simple grey channels.
This is a known behaviour of Illustrator 29+: when exporting to PDF/X-4, spot colour layers are embedded more distinctly as separate separations.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @packpool

I’m sorry to hear about the PDF export issues you’re experiencing in Illustrator. Could you check if this happens with the latest release of Illustrator v30.3 as well? If yes, kindly share a sample AI and PDF file along with screenshots of the export settings used, so we can check it on our end.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

MattAbundes

Participant

@chad_1701 were you able to download it? I am in the same position as you. I also need Ver 28. I had another “Community Manager” DM me but then he never responded on how to download it.

sacherb

Participant

We are all in the same position. I am waiting for a proper download link as well. I will update you when I successfully download v28.

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @MattAbundes @sacherb

Thanks for reaching out. Could you confirm the OS version installed and the system specs (CPU/GPU/Memory) for your device so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @chad_1701

Thanks for reaching out. Could you confirm the OS version installed and the system specs (CPU/GPU/Memory) for your device so we can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav

chad_1701Author

Participant

This isn’t relevant information. I just need the download link for an older version.

MacOS Sequoia - M2 Ultra - 64GB of RAM

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @chad_1701

I have sent you a DM. Kindly check.

Anubhav

Jacob Bugge

Community Expert

Chad,

I am afraid that almost everything in searches about this matter is outdated: basically availability is limited to current and latest previous.

But as I have (mis)understood it (hopefully not outdated), it is possible to obtain. @Anubhav M ?

B

Bobby Henderson

Community Expert

I've said this in a couple other related discussion threads; I think Adobe should just make final builds of some older versions, such as Illustrator 28, available to download/install in the CC desktop app. It's really great if they're helping users get installers for those older versions, but that requires some time and effort from Adobe's team to message back and forth with affected users. It would just be easier if some of those older builds were available in the CC app. I don't think it's necessary to offer more than a few previous versions. Maybe just offer the last builds of Illustrator 28 down to maybe 25? I think that would go back far enough to address the different work flow problems some users are experiencing.

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