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Participant
Mar 20, 2023 12:04 AM UTC
Answered

Photoshop Elements 10 on a Windows 11 - Won't Boot

I tried to install a download of Photoshop Elements 10 on my Windows 11 system.  I "think" everything went fine.  I was prompted to restart my system to complete instalation.  Now my system won't reboot.  It's stuck on the HP screen, computer manufacturer.  I can't get my computer to load.

 

What do I do?  Any help, suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  I hate to think that installing this software killed my system.

 

Please help!

Larry31626666xxivCorrect answer
Participant
Aug 11, 2023 10:58 PM UTC

I had the same experience trying to install Photoshop Elements 9 on my new Windows 11 system.  In my case, upon completing the install, I received two error messages stating that "A driver cannot load on this device".  I ignored the messages and tried restarting my system but it hung while trying to start Windows.  The solution in my case was to reboot while holding down the <F2> key; I entered troubleshooting mode and then chose the option to boot to the command line.  Using DOS commands I renamed three files containing the problematic drivers in order to hide them:

windows\system32\drivers\PxHlpa.sys > PxHlpa.hide

program files (x86)\common files\sonic  shared\PX Drivers\pxhelp64.sys > pxhelp64.hide

program files (x86)\common files\sonic  shared\PX Drivers\pxhlpA64.sys > pxhlpA64.hide

After hiding these driver files, I was able to once again start Windows normally.

 

Photoshop Elements 9 seemed to open fine but at  that point I decided I didn't want to discover other incompatibilities later so I uninstalled Elements 9 and upgraded to Elements 2023 which has a more usable appearance on a 4k monitor anyway.

39 replies

Zavija
Participating Frequently
Jun 13, 2025 9:20 AM UTC

Sadly, Adobe have become an global extortion system, and as such are run by AI & Bots. NOONE at Adobe is interested, other than banking the extrorted cash. Due to the Adobe versus Windows  deliberately created/caused conflicts, it is designed to get worse as time advances, I am afraid Adobe has just become dishonest and totally disinterested. If they were bothered, it would not take much to create/release and global update to solve ALL the same related issue/s!! Good luck with this, disigned to be an everlasting problem, by Adobe!!! 💜💜

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Participant
Jun 13, 2025 10:55 AM UTC

A simple solution is don't buy their products. Worldwide, these conglomerates take it upon themselves not to speak to people. That in itself tells you who and what they are.

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Participant
Jun 12, 2025 4:09 PM UTC

I feel I've been shafted by both Microsoft and Adobe? Bought my Elements 10 in 2012, cost me a lot of money too? I had to buy a new desktop last year with Windows 11 installed. My Elements version won't install whichever way you try to do it? I refuse to buy another from adobe for nearly £100, if they can't honour previous versions already bought then they can go do one. As for Microsoft Windows 11 - it sucks.

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finnjacob
Participating Frequently
Jun 12, 2025 5:47 PM UTC

I've had the same problem and found no solution. Had to buy a new Elements software. No solution from Adobe, and of course, no answer from Microsoft. They never answer anything. However, I highly recommend the latest version of Elements (Photoshop and Premier). New and useful features, runs well on Win 11.

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Participant
Jun 13, 2025 8:49 AM UTC
Thanks for replying. I have zero confidence in Adobe and Microsoft, and
other people should too! There are alternatives.
Find them and use them, some are free.
Regards...
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Participant
Apr 14, 2025 6:15 PM UTC

I had the same problem loading Photoshop Elements 10 onto my Windows 11 Laptop.  I rebooted in Safe Mode (Note:  I first had to retrieve my 48-digit Microsoft Recovery key first and enter it before I could reboot in Safe Mode.).  I then used File Explorer to find the files involved and rename them as Larry pointed out.  My laptop rebooted and Photoshop 10 looks to be usable.  Many thanks!

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Zavija
Participating Frequently
Apr 14, 2025 11:08 PM UTC
Thanks and good luck. Unfortunately it does not work in Win11 Pro, from any
option. 💜💜
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Participant
Apr 15, 2025 2:19 AM UTC
My version is presently working, but I have not installed the latest
Windows 11 updates--I think I may wait a bit.
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Zavija
Participating Frequently
Mar 23, 2025 6:02 AM UTC

Hello, I tried to install Photoshop Elements 11 from my registered and verified windows CD, on a brand-new laptop (Windows11 Pro). The laptop would not start or even allow a reinstallation of Windows, had to organise a tech to come and reload software from 'ground zero', still unable to install 'MY Adobe Photoshop Elements11'. Adobe are no longer customer friendly... just wanting to rip you off $$$$$!!

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Participant
Sep 25, 2024 4:07 AM UTC

Had the same issue with Photoshop Elements 7 installed on a brand new Acer Aspire 5 running Windows 11.  I had to completely reinstall Windows 11 tried again and the same thing happened again and again.  It seems to be a driver that is causing the issue.  After reading everything I could online about this issue and reaching out to Adobe, who were unhelpful and not interested, I unhappily bit the bullet and upgraded to Photoshop Elements 2024.  I know my software was old, but it's considered premium software, so I would have hoped there would have been a fix or a patch from Adobe.

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jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
Sep 25, 2024 8:55 AM UTC

@Andrew Painter 99 

Photoshop Elements 7 was released twelve years ago in 2002. You got a good run for your money, and I hope you enjoy the new version.

Jane

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Participating Frequently
Jan 1, 2024 3:28 AM UTC

Installing Photoshop Elements 11 (licensed version) on my Windows 11 PC, I have encountered this problem as well, but I'm not sure that the installation is complete to the point where
I won't be able to reboot. I stopped at the error messages "This app can't run on this device" " PX Engine unknown".  and a suggestion that I might try turning off Memory Integrity. Is there any chance that the installation has stopped and I could eliminate the problem by  making some changes before I shut down and reboot? Reinstallation of my system would be a major problem for me.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Gil Charters

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Participating Frequently
Jan 1, 2024 2:48 PM UTC

Further to my message on Dec. 31, 2023 ... it's Photoshop Elements 13 I'm trying to install. Also, I have not found any evidence of the  px... files mentioned in this thread.   What advice would you give me at this point. I still have not tried any re-boots.

 

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finnjacob
Participating Frequently
Jan 1, 2024 4:11 PM UTC

I'm having Premiere Elements 2023 and had to turn off Memory Protection to make it work properly. Win 11. No solution from Adobe. 

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Larry31626666xxivCorrect answer
Participant
Aug 11, 2023 10:58 PM UTC

I had the same experience trying to install Photoshop Elements 9 on my new Windows 11 system.  In my case, upon completing the install, I received two error messages stating that "A driver cannot load on this device".  I ignored the messages and tried restarting my system but it hung while trying to start Windows.  The solution in my case was to reboot while holding down the <F2> key; I entered troubleshooting mode and then chose the option to boot to the command line.  Using DOS commands I renamed three files containing the problematic drivers in order to hide them:

windows\system32\drivers\PxHlpa.sys > PxHlpa.hide

program files (x86)\common files\sonic  shared\PX Drivers\pxhelp64.sys > pxhelp64.hide

program files (x86)\common files\sonic  shared\PX Drivers\pxhlpA64.sys > pxhlpA64.hide

After hiding these driver files, I was able to once again start Windows normally.

 

Photoshop Elements 9 seemed to open fine but at  that point I decided I didn't want to discover other incompatibilities later so I uninstalled Elements 9 and upgraded to Elements 2023 which has a more usable appearance on a 4k monitor anyway.

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Participating Frequently
Aug 30, 2023 12:01 AM UTC

This worked great.  Thank you Larry.

The only difference is that one of the three drivers was slightly different for me as I installed Premiere Elements 10.

windows\system32\drivers\PxHlpa64.sys > PxHlpa64.hide

I also booted to Safe Mode instead of a command prompt and renamed the files in Explorer.

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Participant
Nov 26, 2023 8:34 PM UTC

I have had no luck hiding the photoshop files that keep windows 11 from loading using the command prompt.   Could you tell me where in explorer you found those files?  I browsed the Adobe files and didn't spot them.  Thank you so much.

 

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finnjacob
Participating Frequently
Jul 18, 2023 9:30 PM UTC

Same problem on a brand new win 11 laptop. Crashed when prompted to restart.

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Participant
Apr 26, 2023 3:48 AM UTC

I have the same problem with my windows 11 laptop not starting after installing photoshop elements 10. But it works on my other laptop that upgraded from windows 10 to windows 11.

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Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
Apr 26, 2023 6:15 PM UTC

Try booting into Safe Mode.

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Known Participant
Mar 20, 2023 12:37 AM UTC

i assume you tried Hard shutting it down--(keep the power button pressed until everything turns off)

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Participant
Mar 20, 2023 12:46 AM UTC

I did a hard restart a couple times.  Then the system realized there was an issue.  I eventually was able to reset to the point before the PE10 install.  I'm still not sure what happened.

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Participant
May 8, 2025 5:35 PM UTC

Apparently it loads incompatible drivers. Windows 11 is not ready for prime time.

I have Dell Insprion. Had to reinstall OS from USB.

 

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