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Participating Frequently
July 13, 2022
Answered

PS Elements won't run - thinks I'm not on Mac OS - but I am.

  • July 13, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 1471 views

Heres a strange one.  Suddenly - not aware of any recent updates or events - I cannot open PS Elements 2020 on my Intel iMac running OS12.4. It just says: "Adobe Photoshop cannot run on this computer because the minimum system requirement is Mac OS X version ".  (and no version number is shown on the message). Yet it had been working a couple of days before. 

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling Elements 2020.  I have tried installing a trial of 2022. I have looked at permissions.  I have even re-installed OS12.4.  But for all Elements versions I get that message.  As it happens I also have Adobe CC Photo subscripton and PS and Lightroom Classic which all open up fine, as does all other software. 

Any ideas????

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Glenn 8675309

macs have a "rollabck feature" where you can go back in history (In windows its "RESTORE"), however- you reinstalled your OS so I'm pretty sure that won't work.

If you have PSE isntalled and running, then updated your OS, with the program still installed, yes, generally, you will be good (Such as in your case).

I just look at the adobe OS requirements- that's why I said your OS doesn't support your older version.  

This is an educated guess: You made a mistake by reinstalling your OS-- I' m guessing it's like in windows- your reinstall your OS, you gotta reinstall your software- and that is your issue.  You have locked yourself out of the old version. 

It's really interesting about the trial version saying the same thing-- which makes me wonder if you have any utilities running in the background that could be interfereing with the installation process. That's judt a thought. 

2 replies

Glenn 8675309
Legend
July 14, 2022

I'm a bit confused here: your OS doesn't support your version of PSE. 

Participating Frequently
July 15, 2022

I'm confused too.  No. My OS (which is Mac OS 12.4)  DOES support PSE 2020 and was running fine up until a few days ago.  Suddenly, without any changes I'm aware of, it won't even open and thinks I'm not on the correct OS. A download of PSE 2022 says the same.  Rebooting, re-loading OS 12.4, full uninstall of PSE versions and re-install from Adobe, check of permissions have had no effect.  All other programs, including Adobe CC ones all run fine.  Weird.

Glenn 8675309
Glenn 8675309Correct answer
Legend
July 15, 2022

macs have a "rollabck feature" where you can go back in history (In windows its "RESTORE"), however- you reinstalled your OS so I'm pretty sure that won't work.

If you have PSE isntalled and running, then updated your OS, with the program still installed, yes, generally, you will be good (Such as in your case).

I just look at the adobe OS requirements- that's why I said your OS doesn't support your older version.  

This is an educated guess: You made a mistake by reinstalling your OS-- I' m guessing it's like in windows- your reinstall your OS, you gotta reinstall your software- and that is your issue.  You have locked yourself out of the old version. 

It's really interesting about the trial version saying the same thing-- which makes me wonder if you have any utilities running in the background that could be interfereing with the installation process. That's judt a thought. 

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 13, 2022

Try resetting the CC App.
To reset the Creative Cloud desktop app, make sure it's in the foreground, then press:
Win: Ctrl + Alt + R
Mac: Cmd + Opt + R

If that doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the CC App:
https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/creative-cloud-desktop-app-download.html

Participating Frequently
July 13, 2022

Thanks. I tried the first step to no avail.  I could try the uninstall / install for CC app - but as Elements is standalone software I thought it was not part of the CC App - it certainly isnt part of my cloud subscription or shown within it, so am I missing something? 

Peru Bob
Community Expert
Community Expert
July 14, 2022

The CC app is not part of Photoshop Elements, but many users could not install some versions of Photoshop Elements without installing the CC app.

 

I could not install Photoshop Elements 2020 on a Windows 11 computer without installing the CC app first.