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Wingspar
Wingspar
Participating Frequently
April 20, 2023
Answered

CS3 and Windows 11

  • April 20, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 21559 views

I recently bought a new computer with Win 11 on it. Still setting it up and not using it yet. I’ve been using CS3 since about 2003 and love it. It does all I want/need to do these days. I have lots of keyboard shortcuts. I don’t have any desire to upgrade or use subscription or a cloud based service. I like everything on my hard drive. Is there a way for me to install CS3 on my Win 11 computer?

    Correct answer Ged_Traynor

    @Wingspar bad news for you I'm afraid, CS3 servers have been shut down for some years and there's no way to activate it any longer

    4 replies

    Nancy OShea
    Community Expert
    Nancy OSheaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 4, 2023

    I had to double check the date of this post. 🙂  CS3 is discontinued software from 2007. 

    There's no way it will run on a modern computer with Windows 11, even if activation was possible (it's not). 

     

    MODERN OPTIONS:
    Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (approx $100, no subscription needed).
    https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

    Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:

    • Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
    • Camera Raw
    • Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
    • Lightroom Classic
    • Portfolio website + hosting
    • Adobe Express (free starter plan)
    • Bridge
    • 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
    • Free upgrades for paid subscribers

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

    Premium Adobe Express ($10/month).

    • Adobe Express app (web and mobile)
    • Premiere Rush (video editing on desktop and mobile)
    • Photoshop Express (mobile)
    • Spark Video (mobile)
    • Spark Page (mobile)
    • Adobe Portfolio + hosting
    • 100 GB of cloud storage
    • All premium templates and design assets including the collection of over 160 million royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection.

    https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

    Creative Cloud All Apps (51 + pro apps & services) and Single App Plans
    https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

     

    Hope that helps.

     

    Nancy O'Shea— Product User & Community Expert
      Wingspar
      WingsparAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      April 21, 2023

      Ok.  I appreciate the replies.  That is very unfortunate that Adobe dumped users that paid for their programs.  They should never expire.  I looked at Elements, and did not like it at all.  I have downloaded the Affinity Photo Trial and will most likely go that way as it’s $69 and no subscription and I’ve heard people say it’s on par with Photoshop.  So far, I like what I see in Affinity Photo, except for that crop tool and one other thing, such as the floating window I have in CS3.

       

      One quick question.  I also have CS4 and CS5 in unopened boxes.  Do these fall into the same category as the CS3 servers?

        John Waller
        Community Expert
        John WallerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        April 21, 2023

        CS5 can still be activated. CS4 cannot.

         

        CS5 is likely the next candidate to be discontinued but no-one (other than Adobe) knows when that will be. Activate it while you can.

        Kevin Stohlmeyer
        Community Expert
        Kevin StohlmeyerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        April 20, 2023

        An alternative which would be comparable to the features in CS3 would be to purchase Adobe Photoshop Elements. No subscription required:

        https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/buy-elements.html

          Abambo
          Community Expert
          AbamboCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          April 20, 2023

          I would also suggest the Photography plan (20Gb!) for around 10 bucks per month. That is a subscription, but for Photoshop, that is like a Ford Model T against a modern Mustang.

          ABAMBO | Hard- and Software Engineer | Photographer
          Ged_Traynor
          Community Expert
          Ged_TraynorCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
          Community Expert
          April 20, 2023

          @Wingspar bad news for you I'm afraid, CS3 servers have been shut down for some years and there's no way to activate it any longer

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