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willowretreat
willowretreat
Participating Frequently
October 6, 2017
Question

Can I transfer my old Photoshop 7 to my new laptop which uses Windows 10?

  • October 6, 2017
  • 3 replies
  • 3929 views

Hi folks, years ago I purchased Photoshop 7, which I love and have come to know very well, it ran for years on my Windows 7 laptop.  Problem is that I recently bought a new laptop, and of course it is running Windows 10, and people (including the Geek Squad at Best Buy) have been advising me not to try and install PS7 onto my new computer as it is not compatible with Windows 10. I'm a bit dismayed at this as I don't want to pay for another version of Photoshop and have to learn how to use it all over again! But I don't want to kill my brand new computer either!

Advice please?

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community Expert
Community Expert
February 13, 2022

Have you tried https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/downloaded-older-app.html

    C
    Christina V.
    Participant
    February 16, 2022

    Thanks Barbara! I wish my situation would've allowed for that process. I actually received the cd from an old co-worker who didnt know how to use it and chose some other program that he felt was more novice friendly. Wow just realizing how old this disk is. LOL

    willowretreat
    willowretreatAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    October 6, 2017

    OK. So I figured out how to download the program onto my flash drive (I had to click Open File Location and then select the entire file folder to send to the flash drive!) so I did that, and downloaded it onto my new laptop. It goes to start up, I get the PS7 startup page, then I get this error message (see screencap). I'm guessing it's looking for the serial number? How do I get it to locate the serial number? Would it help to deregister the program on my old laptop? I'm a bit scared to do that in case I lose the whole thing!

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2017

    Hi

    I don't think you can just copy the folder over. Photoshop installs to several folders plus makes entries to the registry.

    You need the installation files.

    Dave

    Peru Bob
    Community Expert
    Peru BobCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2017

    davescm  wrote

    Hi

    I don't think you can just copy the folder over. Photoshop installs to several folders plus makes entries to the registry.

    You need the installation files.

    Dave

    That is correct.

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    October 6, 2017

    You may be able to get it installed but it will depend on your actual PC. For example Photoshop 7 will not recognise large (TB) drives. They simply were not fitted to PCs back in 2002.

    You are highly unlikely to break anything though - so you have nothing to lose by trying to install it. Don't be surprised though if it will not run.

    Here is a link to a post where it was installed successfully with Windows 10

    Re: Photoshop 7 to cc

    Dave

      willowretreat
      willowretreatAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      October 6, 2017

      Thanks Dave!  So the second part to my question is this: over the centuries, I've lost the original install disc for PS7. But I still have the serial number on my old laptop. Plus, my new laptop doesn't even have a CD drive! So how do I transfer & install the program? I've tried putting it onto a flash drive ... it seemed to download the entire program ... but all it does is copy the shortcut. What am I missing here?

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