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L
lekkerder
Inspiring
April 23, 2024
Answered

Cannot get Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 to work using new hard drive with Windows 11

  • April 23, 2024
  • 4 replies
  • 2189 views

Hello.

 

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 worked fine for me when using Windows 10. I did not want to upgrade to Windows 11 but my hard drive had to be replaced and without consulting me, the technician loaded Windows 11 on it, bummer 😞

 

When I installed PS Elements 8 from the CD disk and entered my serial number, it loaded a totally different version of Photoshop and wants me to pay and/or subscribe. If it's possible to install PS Elements 8 from the disk and run the version I have been using and am familiar with, please send detailed instructions.

 

I do not need anything more than what I paid for and hope I don't have to upgrade to a newer version or get stuck having to pay a subscription fee.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

 

 

Correct answer lekkerder

@lekkerder 

 

I have no idea what is the current status of the Activation Server(s) for PS Elements 8.

 

If they are down / permanently off - your code will no longer work.

 

I have no idea how to transfer the code from the old drive - it could work if Win11 has been installed over Win10 - but as long as it's the same drive.

 

Doing clone of the drive will most likely deactivate the code.

 


Thanks.

4 replies

ResonantChaos
ResonantChaos
Participant
February 8, 2026

If you have the CD and the serial number, it will install just fine on Windows 11. But it will give you an error about a pxs driver that fails to install. You can ignore that, and close the dialog, and Photoshop will appear to work fine. But next time you reboot the computer, it will go into a nasty repair loop. That driver is incompatible with Windows 11, but it's an easy fix. After you install and before you reboot, go into the windows/system32/drivers folder, and delete that PSX driver file. Photoshop Elements 8 will work fine, it only disables the ability to burn CDs from within the Photoshop elements program .

O
oldmn2
Participant
September 24, 2025

I found that Elements 8 will install and run on Windows 11 as long as you never restart the machine. As soon as you do it goes into automatic repair and can not repaire itself.
So NO it will not work on Windows 11.

    ResonantChaos
    ResonantChaos
    Participant
    February 8, 2026

    Yes! I struggled with this for days.  Found the solution. When you install you get an error message about a driver, correct? That is the problem. You just need to go to your Windows\system32\drivers folder before you reboot, and delete that driver, I think it's pxs something. Make a note from your error message.  It's an antiquated driver for photoshop's built-in CD burning capability. Modern Windows doesn't like it. Everything else will work fine as long as you're not trying to burn a CD directly from Photoshop

     

     

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    April 23, 2024

    First things first; this is an InDesign forum.

    Secondly, nobody here can help with activation issues. You're going to need to contact Adobe support directly.

    L
    lekkerderAuthor
    Inspiring
    April 23, 2024
    quote

    First things first; this is an InDesign forum.

    Secondly, nobody here can help with activation issues. You're going to need to contact Adobe support directly.


    By @BobLevine

    Yikes! So sorry about that. I thought I was posting in a general forum for Adobe; how embarrassing.  My vision changed dramatically for the worse recently and I'm waiting for new glasses to arrive. I'll try to find a way to contact Adobe about the Photoshop problem or see if I can find a forum for Photoshop. Thanks.

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    April 23, 2024

    Unfortunately, your activation info is on the old drive - if you no longer have access to it...

     

    L
    lekkerderAuthor
    Inspiring
    April 23, 2024
    quote

    Unfortunately, your activation info is on the old drive - if you no longer have access to it...

     


    By @Robert at ID-Tasker

    The program was loaded from a disk. Are you saying that even if someone owns software that was purchased in a box with the program on a  CD,  a user manual, etc., it cannot be installed on a new computer/hard drive? It was only installed once before.

     

    if I do need activation info from the old drive, I still have that drive. Is it possible to get the activation info from the old drive?

     

    Thanks.

     

    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Robert at ID-Tasker
    Legend
    April 23, 2024

    @lekkerder 

     

    I have no idea what is the current status of the Activation Server(s) for PS Elements 8.

     

    If they are down / permanently off - your code will no longer work.

     

    I have no idea how to transfer the code from the old drive - it could work if Win11 has been installed over Win10 - but as long as it's the same drive.

     

    Doing clone of the drive will most likely deactivate the code.

     

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