[Consolidation-Locked] Lightroom 4 on XP

I agree with Jim, and I do not think this thread can lead to any further meaningfull discussion. Maybe a moderator could make a decision here!

I run LR4 on Windows 7 32-bit... so I'd say it has more to do with Windows XP (at least as far as Windows goes... I don't use Macs).

Indeed, people have gotten quite worked up over this.  I mean, I think it really as to do with the fact that people are so divided over their opinion of operating systems.  For example, I have commonly heard the argument that "Vista was a disaster", as you say.  Not for me... worked just fine... no complaints.  Maybe Vista was indeed a disaster for some, but certainly not all.  I mean, the average Joe or Jane that bought a computer with Vista installed (i.e. the average users that comprise the bulk of the computer-using community) was really pretty indifferent on the issue.

So the moment that somebody says "so-and-so operating system is crappy", some people offer resounding agreements while others sit there scratching their head wondering what was so profoundly bad about it.  And, as with opinions on car manufacturers, for example, people who've had a bad experience with a given operating system have a tendency to vehemently insist that everyone in the world had the same problems.  This, of course, is not the case... so any severely polarized arguments about the quality of an OS are going to generate equally polarized responses.

The real divisive issue here is that, in a world where the average computer arguably becomes a dinosaur in 5 years, there's a significant portion of the population that feels like Windows XP users will clutch at the more-than-a-decade-old OS until somebody finally forcefully pries it from their aging fingers.  I will admit that my own viewpoint lies more along these lines.  And the viewpoint on that side of the argument is that "windows xp users need to move on at some point" and that they are gonna be pissed about it no matter when it happens... so why not just start prying now.  Yes, Windows XP was good n' all, but for many people its getting to a point where its over-stayed its welcome, especially when people that are quite happy with Win7 machines see comments on the Adobe site where people claim that Adobe "ought to be ashamed" for not supporting XP, as if it's some kind of obligatory qualification for any software worth it's salt.  Nonsense!  There is nothing to be ashamed about... that's honestly more than a bit melodramatic.

The people on this side of the argument sort of think," You've been able to use the same OS for 10 years... that, in itself, is a miracle."  How much longer did you really think it would last?

And, sure, I'll admit that that may be a rather insensitive viewpoint that doesn't take into account the requirements of many users which, for this reason or that, still use XP.  But, at the same time, I really feel like this is less about XP being some "super-amazing" operating system and more about people being angry that they might have to upgrade a computer earlier than they preferred in order to use LR4.  Understandable... but also inevitable.  Maybe Adobe could've tried to hold off on dropping XP support for LR4 by disabling menus or the such, but how long is it going to go on for? LR5? LR6?

I imagine that some would try to say that," Adobe should just support XP entirely until Microsoft drops support for XP."  Yet, earlier in this thread, somebody wrote something like, "Just because MS is dropping support for XP doesn't mean its going away."  I mean, there comes a point where it's just unreasonable to not finally upgrade... take your pick between Vista or 7... even Win8 will be out later this year.  You've got no shortage of choices... and if you truly believe that they are all terrible... well, you really need to re-evaluate the situation.  There needs to be some point at which XP users are willing to adopt a "new XP"... either that, or simply accept that their aging choice of OS is going to become more and more of an inconvenience for them with the progressively greater loss of support that will undoubtedly occur over the next few years.

Hell, I've never enjoyed laying down the cash for a new machine... it sucks... and it's expensive.  But, I've also had no choice but to do it a half-dozen times over the past 14 years or so... that's just the nature of the digital beast these days, guys.  It's not Adobe's fault... and, quite honestly, it's not Adobe's problem... not in a mean way... just in a frank and practical sense.

I understand, but will the serial number of Lightroom 4 fit Lightroom 3.6?

I only have Windows XP, does it mean I have no upgrade options from my lightroom 1.4 or I can use 3.6?

Selmslie I apologize for your inconvience but unfortunately it is a requirement to have Windows Vista SP2 or later to use Lightroom 4.  This limitation was put in place to offer many of the great features in Lightroom 4.  Mylennium has already offered the links to the system requirements but they can be found at http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom/tech-specs.html.

You are certainly welcome to request a refund for your purchase.  The directions on how to accomplish this can be found Return, change Adobe orders | North America - http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/return-change-orders-north-america.html.

You are correct that you can purchase Photoshop Elements 10 or Photoshop CS5.1 currently to use a Photoshop product under Windows XP.  Unfortunately there is no work around to allow Photoshop Lightroom 4 to function within the Windows XP environment.  If you wish to continue using Photoshop Lightroom 4 it would be necessary to upgrade your operating system to at least Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or higher.