Is it possible to have two versions of InDesign on the same operating system?

[john_doe_12345]

Hi,

I develop plugins for InDesign and our clients can use different versions of InDesign. To check if my plugins work on all the versions of InDesign, I want to know if I can have different versions of InDesign on my operating system.

I currently have Windows 10 and InDesign CC 2018 installed via Creative Cloud.

Thanks.

[Dirk Becker · Accepted solution]

The applications can coexist. Open the Creative Cloud panel, click the three dots fly-out menu. In Preferences, choose "Show Older Apps". From there you can install versions down to CS6. Double that for debug builds (using separate installers), throw in some earlier GM releases for ITK support (more separate installers) and you'll end up with plenty pink ID icons ...

The main limitations are disk capacity plus operating system compatibility, e.g. on the Mac CS5 and CS6 will have trouble when you move on to 10.14 (64bit). Also you will need older operating systems for the matching IDEs (e.g. Xcode 3 is better matched with OSX 10.7, while Xcode 9.2 requires at least 10.12.6) that you'll need to build the version specific plugins. Refer to the in-SDK requirements such as OS SDK version, Windows ToolsVersion, PlatformToolset ...

Also the SDK example projects are not prepared to build cross version - e.g. I use one Xcode project for multiple plugins CS5 thru CC latest and everything in between so that's doable. I'm also right now reviving my old Windows efforts to generate the matching VS projects from the XC, but to get and keep all that going is plenty manual and scripting effort.

[BarlaeDC]

Hi,

Just another way of getting to it.

In the Creative Cloud app, find the application you want "InDesign", click the drop down arrow next to the application and Select "Manage" then "Other Versions". This should display a dialog with links next to the versions to allow you to install them.

Regards

Malcolm