Why are the old versions of InDesign still showing on my CC? How do I remove them?

[IamMyself]

Hi -

Color me frustrated.  Why, when I open Adobe CC is there Illustrator are there 23.1 AND 24.0.1 showing?? Also, I see InDesign 14.03 and 15.01- I thought the whole purpose behind CC - and the library I have started with CC earlier this year - I thought it would update and only have the newest version available.

Frustrated in Northeast Ohio,

Anastasia

[Tacafy大尉]

Good morning, IamMyself.
If the CCDA setting is not always set to the latest version only, installation when a new version is released will be added.
If the old version is unnecessary, it must be uninstalled.
On the other hand, there are people who are in trouble if they disappear.

This is the automatic update setting screen in the CCDA settings. Although it is OFF in the image, automatic update (function to always make sure only the latest app) is enabled by moving the slider to the right.

[John Waller · Accepted solution]

>> I thought it would update and only have the newest version available.

That used to be how it worked by default. That infuriated many users.

However, new versions often have new features, change existing features or remove features. These may change existing workflows. New versions can also introduce new bugs which may slow down, freeze or crash your system. That's frustrating when your existing version may have been rock solid.

Adobe's response was to make the new default to keep older versions (as it used to be pre-Cloud) and allow users to choose when they are ready to uninstall older versions. I prefer it that way.

There is a check box when installing new versions so you can remove older versions if you prefer.

[joeriw14970737]

Hi John,

What if I want the old versions back? 
I removed the old versions by accident, not being aware of the consequences.

Greetings
Joeri

[Nancy OShea]

Which apps?

Which versions?

Pre-2019 versions are no longer available from your CC desktop app.

[joeriw14970737]

Hi Nancy

I'm on a Macbook Pro 2015, MacOS Sierra 10.12.
Hard drive 128GB. 
Creative Cloud version 5.3.1.470

My hard drive space is limited. Therefore I am installing and uninstalling apps, whenever I need to.

It seems I must have checked the option for removing old versions of InDesign, XD, Animate, Character Animator, Lightroom, and more. These apps now show the "not compatible" sign. All apps require MacOS 10.14.

After reviewing the preferences of the CC app, I noticed the automatic updates for CC and all apps are activated. Turned them all off. Little too late I guess.

My only option now is to update my MacOS.

So my question remains: what if I want the old versions back?

Thanks

[Nancy OShea]

ProDesign Tools keeps a list of links to old direct downloads.  But you must follow the VERY IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS exactly.  Otherwise it won't work & you'll get an "Access Denied" error.  Also Adobe may remove these installers at anytime.  They really want customers to have the latest OS and CC versions if possible.

2018 Direct Downloads

https://prodesigntools.com/adobe-cc-2018-direct-download-links.html

[joeriw14970737]

Thanks Nancy

Followed the exact instructions. Downloaded Animate 2018. Works fine.

New problem arose. Seems like my Creative Cloud 'Apps' window is now empty. 
"Page not available. This content cannot be loaded. Try again later"
That doesn't seem right.

Any advise?

[Nancy OShea]

That happens sometimes.

Shut everything down and restart your computer.

[joeriw14970737]

Multiple restarts didn't solve it. But running the uninstaller (already on my computer) and clicking "Repair" instead of "Uninstall" did the trick. 

You pointed out a good alternative solution with prodesigntools, Nancy. Thank you for your time.

OK, so I guess it's not possible within the Creative Cloud app to get old versions of program apps back, once you accepted the option "remove old versions". Sounds obvious while writing this down. Still... don't seem to remember a warning message in that spot of Creative Cloud's user flow. The type of "Attention, this is irreversible. Are you sure?" message. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not going to test this user flow again any time soon.
An option for restoring at least one older version would help a lot.

Greetings

[Nancy OShea · Accepted solution]

In the beginning, Creative Cloud updates removed old versions by default which created a lot of bad feelings.  Everyone complained about it.  Now that CC leaves old versions alone, everybody is still complaining.  I guess the old saying is true. You can't please everyone all of the time.

Creative Cloud has advanced settings for removing or not removing old versions when you update your apps..   My personal preference is to leave old versions on my computer until I am certain I don't need them anymore.  Especially now that legacy CC apps are no longer available.   I usually keep 2 or 3 versions just in case something goes wrong with the new one.   

[Nancy OShea]

Uninstall software through your operating system.  To wipe off residual files, use the Adobe Cleaner Tool below.

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

[AndersBillLinden]

Call me crazy, but what about a setting that lets people decide whether or not they want to keep outdated software on the computers. 20G suddently dissapeared on my harddrive which rendered it full. There is no reason at all that someone was letting that happen. And I do not want to actively opt out for keeping old versions. There should be only one checkbox for that.

[kglad]

@AndersBillLinden, adobe's cc app let's you keep older versions when updating to a new (major) version (with a check box).

[Test Screen Name]

Looks to me like some people are confused or distressed by old versions building up. They complain to Adobe. It goes in the "bugs to fix" pile. Adobe fix it, and make the default to delete old versions.  

Next, people are upset or inconvenienced by old versions being deleted. They complain to Adobe. It goes in the "Bugs to fix" pile. Due to staff changes, nobody is aware of the history. So they fix it, and make the default to keep old versions.

And so on, this is repeated constantly, because nobody at Adobe actually looks at the big picture any more; everyone is a specialist, in their own small area of expertise.

[kglad]

@Test Screen Name, maybe they do actually pay attention and just assign default behavior on a non-random sample of user opinion which is always going to be, it's not doing what i want because people that are happy about the default behavior, say nothing.