Dreamweaver 4 import?

[G5FE0]

Back in about 2006, I developed my current website in Dreamweaver 4 for Windows XP.  From time to time, I need to make relatively minor edits, so I maintain an old Windows 7 laptop running Dreamweaver 4 in Windows XP mode to do so.  Even though it is 20 years old, my website is familiar to users, is still effective, and the look and feel matches all my other branding, so I don't want to redesign the whole thing.  However, if that computer ever dies, I'll be stuck.  I'm wondering whether, if I purchase a subscription to the current Dreamweaver app, I can import my existing webpages and edit them with the same "WYSIWG" (to use an old term) ease as with Dreamweaver 4.  Anybody know?

[Ben M]

Yes, HTML is just a plain text file and a site built 20 years ago. Admittedly it has been a long time since I used DW 4, but it's possible some of the feautres you are using via the interface have been deprecated over time and I would recommend posting a link as we could identify through the code if there are features that while not supported through the interface, may have to be maintained through code view only.

If you are worried about maintaining any part of the site in code view, you may want to consider non-DW hosted solutions moving forward such as Wix/Webflow/etc. which are online editors that work more in the WYSIWYG fashion as opposed to the more code-centric editors. While you won't be able to move your site exactly as is, you should be able to find a template that fits your needs and allow you the non-code way of editing and maintaining your site.

[G5FE0]

So, is the current Dreamweaver app a WYSIWYG editor or do you have to write HTML code?

[Nancy OShea]

There's no such thing as WYSIWYG anymore.  Responsive design dictates that your web page adjust to the device it's being viewed on (mobile, tablet, laptop, hybrid, desktop or jumbotron). 

Given the advanced age of your site, it's probably far from mobile-friendly and next to useless for 80% of modern internet users. If that doesn't bother you, then keep doing what you're doing. 

Suffice it to say that the web and Dreamweaver have changed a lot in 20 years. You'll need to brush up on modern HTML & CSS code to get up to speed. 

There's nothing to import. Just open DW CC and define your local site folder.  

Site ⇒ New Site...

Tell DW where your local site folder resides on your local hard drive. For example, C:\MyTestSite. 

Hope that helps. 

[Nancy OShea]

Try before you buy.  You can try Dreamweaver free for 7 days and owe nothing if you cancel before the trial ends. 

https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/free-trial-download.html

Make sure your computer meets the minimum CPU & GPU requirements. Most Creative Cloud apps work on these systems, no more than 2 versions back:

• Windows 11 (64-bit) versions 24H2, 23H2; Windows 10 versions 22H2, 21H2;
• MacOS 15 (Sequoia), 14.7 (Sonoma), 13.6.7 (Ventura).

- https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/system-requirements.html
- https://helpx.adobe.com/dreamweaver/system-requirements.html

NOTE: MS is ending Win10 in October. Apple will release Tahoe later this year.

[Ben M]

So, is the current Dreamweaver app a WYSIWYG editor or do you have to write HTML code?

By @G5FE0

The closest things to WYSIWYG editors are those online that I mentioned. Those online editors have streamlined templates that you can use to get online quickly and not have to worry about code. While you may be able to get away with some editing for a 20 year old site in DW, it's likely way overpriced for the management you need to do. If you can make small edits in HTML code you can save yourself a lot of money. Otherwise, my recommendation to stay entirely out of code would be to look for the hosted solutions and build fresh there.