Photoshop Elements all versions hangs

I've just reread your original post where you say you have a brand [] new computer.  The specs you have given us do not match a new computer.  Did you give us incorrect information?

@lorrainewheeler although you have updated your computer, the graphics card is more than 10 years old and has only 2GB of VRAM.  There are a couple of other bottlenecks that will also impact performance.  You also haven't told us which version of Elements you are currently using.  Although you probably meet the minimum specs, I can see the program struggling with a multi-layer edit, particularly if you are using some of the more hardware intensive features of more recent versions. It also looks like you are using two monitors which increases the needs of the program.  So if that is the case, I think you will have to live with what you have.

I would have suggested that you upgrade the graphics card.  But I'm not sure you can do that and even if you could, I don't think it will make much of a difference.

Most of time when things "hang" it can generally be attribed to the user, and not the program:   Plugins designed to work with Photoshop, users editing program files because "they know their way around computers", or manually installing  things where they don't belong-- having zip files buried in the brush presets for example.   Realloy oddball file names can be an issue at times-- there are some programming characters that should never be used in a file name. 

Forbidden filename characters vary by operating system, but commonly include: **<, >, :, ", /, \, |, ?, *, #, %, ~, ^, {, }- stuff like that.

I have 9 versions I can use now- I've only had an issue with pse 2010- I had to use a restore point to get my new computer working again- WIN11 even told me that the issue was with some files in PSE2010-

PSE 2020- to the present version have given me no problems, ever.   I've done some crazy things trying to "break the program" but I generally just reinstall whatever version to make any problems go away.

Many times simply LOGGIN OUT OF THE EDITOR FIRST, then unistalling, and reinstalling use the version found in your adobe account will tkae care of most issues. 

Reinstall a verison: but dont add anything, plugins, brushes, color swatches, whatever, and start off with a nice clean install. 


It still hangs?  What exactely are you doing when that happens?  Case in point:  Using actions designed for photoshop in PSE:  The action will simply stop working when it gts to a step that  PSE does not have, but photoshop does.  

What is the latest version you are using?

Do you use the Organizer?  If so, how many media files do you have in your catalog?

How have you transferred the catalog to your new computer?  

Are your media on an internal or external drive?  Are you using a NAS?

When you say that the program hangs, what exactly do you mean?

What are you doing at the time of the hang?  Are you using a lot of layers in the Editor?  How large are the files you are working on?

Have you examined Task Manager to see what activity is taking place and what processes are in use?

What are the specs of your brand spanking new computer?  What graphics card does it have and how much VRAM?