Will CS4 run on Windows 11 ? [CS4 is DEAD]

[David221480287glm]

Got an update so it works on Windows 10.

[Test Screen Name]

There were no updates in 10+ years. It was finished when CS5 was released, 11 years ago. Adobe will be delighted to sell you a subscription to the current products, Creative Cloud, from $50 per month (yearly commitment).

[Peru Bob]

You may run into an issue where CS4 will see Windows 11 as a new installation and require activation.

Unfortunately, the activation and deactivation servers for CS4 have been shut down.

[pha1]

I have a Dell Inpsiron 7570 with 16 GB RAM, and an i7 running Windows 11 v.21H2

I purchased Adobe Creative Suite Design Premium (CS4) in March, 2009.

Illustrator CS4 works under Windows 11. I just installed it with Photoshop CS4 Extended.

No issues with intall.

No issues with activation. 

Patched Photoshot to 11.02, OK.

There's still life in the old timer.

[Rob_Cullen]

"No issues with activation."

Prepare to be told your 'Trial' ends after 30 days!

As stated by @Peru Bob 

"Unfortunately, the activation and deactivation servers for CS4 have been shut down."

[pha1]

I've read the Adobe EULA.

I know I can install Adobe on two PCs as long as both copies are not running simotaneously.

I've had my CS4 software installed on another Dell (aside from the Inspiron) for more than two years.

Never saw a trial status nor a trial ending from the first PC. It's the real McCoy. It installs as activated.

No trial status in sight.

I suppose the installer falls back on a valid serial key when the servers can't be contacted for activation.

I deactivated my Illustrator CS4 on the Inspiron, I reopen it and under Help the Deactivation option is still there. I can launch Illustrator on both PCs and I never get a notice about I'm using the same serial on more than one machine. This goes against ethical use of Adobe software. I stick to the rules.

With the activation servers shutdown, as you say, it's open season for products older than ten years.

Adobe might want to think about turning those CS4 activation servers back on.

I'm just telling you my experiences. I don't want to argue about it.

[Beachduffer]

I have the Adobe Creative Suite 4 Web premium for Win.  (30 Day Trail) but its actually full version, that I used on my older win desktop..  Thinking of purchasing a new win 11 setup and wondered if the softeware would work ??

Thanks Don

[kglad]

@Beachduffer 

the 30 day trial will work, but you can't activate it for use beyond those 30 days (on any computer).

[Lumigraphics]

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/activation-deactivation-help.html

At the bottom it explicitely states that CS4 cannot be activated.

[Nancy OShea]

Work?  Maybe. 

Activate?  Impossible. The servers no longer exist.

If you had upgraded to a newer suite when you still had the chance, you might have a few more years left with CS5 or CS6.  But that opportunity ended in 2017 when Adobe stopped selling Creative Suite forever.

MODERN OPTIONS:
Photoshop Elements 2023 or Premiere Elements 2023 (no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:

• Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
• Camera Raw
• Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
• Lightroom Classic
• Portfolio website + hosting
• Adobe Express (free starter plan)
• Bridge
• 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Premium Adobe Express ($10/month).

• Adobe Express app (web and mobile)
• Premiere Rush (video editing on desktop and mobile)
• Photoshop Express (mobile)
• Spark Video (mobile)
• Spark Page (mobile)
• Adobe Portfolio + hosting
• 100 GB of cloud storage
• All premium templates and design assets including the collection of over 160 million royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection.

https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

Creative Cloud All Apps (50 + pro apps & services) and Single App Plans
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html

Hope that helps. 

[default0omwwmmr38yw]

ive found i can install it ok and it runs but when installed it causes my filemanager icon on my task bar to not open and it causes exploer to crash anyone had this with win 11

[kglad]

use compatibility mode to install and run (for those 30 days)

[Nancy OShea]

@kglad  is right.  CS4 can't be activated beyond the trial period.  The aged out activation servers don't exist anymore.   So this is pointless.

[Nancy OShea]

I wouldn't even attempt to run 15+ year old software on a modern OS.  That's a recipe for disaster.

If you want to use modern equipment and OS, you must budget for modern, compatible software.  There's no way around it except to remain on the old computer for as long as you can.

MODERN OPTIONS:
Photoshop Elements or Premiere Elements (approx $100, no subscription needed).
https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements.html

Creative Cloud Photography Plan (approx $10/month for 12 months). Includes the following:

• Photoshop CC and Photoshop on iPad
• Camera Raw
• Lightroom on desktop, mobile and the web
• Lightroom Classic
• Portfolio website + hosting
• Adobe Express (free starter plan)
• Bridge
• 20 GB cloud storage (upgradable to 1 TB).
• Free upgrades for paid subscribers

https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography.html

Premium Adobe Express ($10/month).

• Adobe Express app (web and mobile)
• Premiere Rush (video editing on desktop and mobile)
• Photoshop Express (mobile)
• Spark Video (mobile)
• Spark Page (mobile)
• Adobe Portfolio + hosting
• 100 GB of cloud storage
• All premium templates and design assets including the collection of over 160 million royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection.

https://helpx.adobe.com/express/using/express-overview.html

Creative Cloud All Apps (51 + pro apps & services) and Single App Plans
https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/plans.html