The database file could be not opened.

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
November 4, 2025
2 replies
117 views

Hello,
after buying the license and installing the newest Photoshop Elements 2026 on my Windows 11 Pro (version 24H2), this error occurs - ,,The database file could be not opened. This can happen if the database file is corrupt, read-only, or not a database''.

What do I do now?

Windows

Greg_S.

Community Expert

I assume you used a prior version of the Elements Organizer. If so, which version?

When you first launched the Elements 2026 Organizer, you should have been given the option to convert your prior catalog. Did you accept that option? If so, did you wait until you received a message that the catalog had been successfully converted? If not, you will need to convert the prior catalog manually. I shall give you further instructions when you answer my questions.

A

atx_achitektiAuthor

Participant

Hello Greg,

I did use prior version - Adobe Photoshop Elements 13, but when first launched the Elements 2026 Organizer I probably did not accept the convertion. My bad.

But after all, it seems the error dissapeared. I am saved!

Anyway, thank you for helping!

Ged_Traynor

Community Expert

@atx_achitekti you'd be better off posting on the Photoshop Elements forum

Sameer K

Community Manager

Hey, @atx_achitekti. Welcome to the Photoshop Elements Community. I've moved your post to the Photoshop Elements community. I'll need more info help you figure this out.

Does this happen at launch, or with specific files? Where are the original images stored? Is it an internal or external storage location?

I've seen something as basic as 'Run as Administrator' helping in a few cases.

Just head to the Photoshop installation folder (Default - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 2026)

Find PhotoshopElementseditor.exe > right-click > use 'Run as Administrator'.

Let me know how it goes.
Sameer K
(Type '@' and type my name to mention me when you reply)

A

atx_achitektiAuthor

Participant

Sameer, thanks for moving my post.

This specific error occured only when lauching - when I tried to open Photoshop Elements directly. Running as Administraton didn' t help, I' ve tried that earlier. I' ve figured out that if I open my images (stored externally) and simply right-click "open in - Adobe Photoshop Elements 2026 Editor" it just works fine.

Now, while trying again, it seems this error dissapeared itself. :')

Thanks!

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