where to enter key for Photoshop 7

[Kathy28391699rnng]

I have Photoshop 7 on my laptop and am try to add it to my Windows 11 desktop. Have copied the files, but when I try to execute the program it says it's missing personalization information. I have the key code, but don't know where to enter it. Don't see that option anywhere.

[John Waller]

Assume you're referring to the 21 year old Photoshop 7 released back in 2002? Glad to hear you've still got it running on any device.

Unfortunately Adobe software cannot be transferred by simply copying files. You must install it using the original DVD. Do you still have the original DVD? When you install, you will see the  prompt to enter your serual number (if you get that far)

It's highly doubtful that it will install on Windows 11 but there's no harm in trying.

[Kathy28391699rnng]

it worked fine when I put it on my laptop with windows 10

[kglad]

use compatibility mode to install and run.

[John Waller]

Not sure what you mean.

You mean copying files on Windows 10 worked fine? Or the software worked fine on Windows 10?

[kglad]

you can probably get it to install (using compatibility mode), but you won't be able to use it beyond the 30 day trial because it cannot be activated.  therefore there's no reason to spend time trying to enter your serial number.

[John Waller]

From memory, I believe that Photoshop 7 did not require activation. Just serial number and (optional) registration.

Activation was introduced with either Photoshop CS or CS2.

[kglad]

(i think this is the second time you, or someone else, told me that.  i'll get it sooner or later...)

[John Waller]

Thanks for the smile @kglad.

Be interesting to know if @Kathy28391699rnng gets this working. It's not a combination I've ever tried before.

[Jeff Arola]

You can try these instructions from a long defunct Adobe KB:

For windows 10/11 look here

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Photoshop\7\Registration

Error "Could not personalize your copy...missing or invalid personalization information" occurs when you start Photoshop 7.x or Photoshop Elements 1.0-2.0 (Windows XP)

Issue

When you try to start Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, it returns the error "Could not personalize your copy of Photoshop because of missing or invalid personalization information."

Solutions

Do one or more of the following:

Solution 1: Add your serial number to the Windows registry.
Edit the Windows registry so that it references your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements serial number.

Disclaimer: This solution involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't provide support for editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. Make sure to back up the registry before editing it. For information on the Windows Registry Editor, see the documentation for Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support.

To edit the Windows registry:
1. Choose Start > Run.
2. Type regedit in the Open text box, and then click OK.
3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to and select the following key:
-- Photoshop 7.x: Hkey_Local_Machine/Software/Adobe/Photoshop/7.0/Registration
-- Photoshop Elements 2.0: Hkey_Local_Machine/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Uninstall/Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0
-- Photoshop Elements 1.0: Hkey_Local_Machine/Software/Adobe/Photoshop Elements/1.0/Registration
4. Do one of the following:
-- Right-click the Serial data value in the right pane, and choose Modify from the pop-up menu. If the serial number in the Value Data text box differs from your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements serial number, delete the existing serial number, and type your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements serial number (without dashes or spaces).
-- If the Serial data value is missing, continue as follows:
a. Make sure that nothing is selected, and then right-click in the right pane.
b. Choose New > String Value from the pop-up menu.
c. Type SERIAL for the name of the value.
d. Double-click the value you just created, and type your Photoshop or Photoshop Elements serial number (without dashes or spaces) in the Value Data text box.
5. Click OK.
6. Choose File > Exit to close the registry editor.

Solution 2: Check for a .sif file in the Required folder.
Check for a PS.sif (Photoshop) or PSElements.sif (Photoshop Elements) file in the Adobe/Photoshop 7.0/Required or the Adobe/Photoshop Elements [version]/Required folder. If the file is missing, remove Photoshop or Photoshop Elements, and then reinstall it.

To remove and reinstall Photoshop or Photoshop Elements:
1. Exit from all applications.
2. Choose Start > Settings > Control Panel, and double-click Add/Remove Programs.
3. Select Adobe Photoshop 7.0 or Adobe Photoshop Elements [version] from the Currently Installed Programs list, and then click Remove.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions.
5. Restart Windows, and reinstall Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.

Background Information

The Serial data value for the Photoshop or Photoshop Elements registry key must match the serial number for the installed copy of Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. If the data value doesn't match, Photoshop or Photoshop Elements returns an error when it starts. Photoshop or Photoshop Elements also returns an error if the PS.sif or the PSElements.sif file is missing from the Required folder.