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just eirik
just eirik
Known Participant
February 9, 2021
Answered

How to download Lightroom without Adobe Creative Cloud?

  • February 9, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 10309 views

How can I download Lightroom Classic without downloading Adobe Creative cloud? I don't like how it installs and runs a lot of extra things I dont need. All I want is Lr.

 

Is this possible?

    Correct answer dj_paige

    How can I download Lightroom Classic without downloading Adobe Creative cloud? I don't like how it installs and runs a lot of extra things I dont need. All I want is Lr.

     

    Is this possible?


    By @just eirik

     

    Can't be done. Lightroom cannot be downloaded and does not run without the Creative Cloud app.

    4 replies

    Conrad_C
    Community Expert
    Conrad_CCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 9, 2021
    @just eirik wrote:

    it installs and runs a lot of extra things I dont need.

     

    Which specific “extra things’ do you mean, and how did you determine that you don't need them? We might be able to explain why Lightroom Classic uses at least some of them. Just because they run outside the main application does not mean they aren’t required.

     

    Even if you did determine that you don’t need them, this situation is no different than the operating system itself. There are background OS processes on my computer that I will never use, like desktop updaters for stock tickers and news, or anything to do with gaming. But the OS does not provide the option to prevent installing those processes. That’s how this is too. Software companies prefer to offer a simple one-click install.

     

    I remember when more OS and software installers had a “custom installation” option where you could choose not to install certain things, but those are rare now. One reason is that most users are comfortable with a simple one-click installation. For the software companies, having to verify just one installation configuration probably saves them a lot of test time.

    D
    DanGu
    Participant
    June 29, 2022

    Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but the OP has a point.

     

    I count 14 adobe related services running actively in task manager and that is without creative cloud running, unchecked the run at startup setting, and no adobe products are active in the tray or on the taskbar. 

     

    That is... excessive and I'm a software developer.

      DdeGannes
      Community Expert
      DdeGannesCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 15, 2022

      I would like to second DanGu's comment. I have used Lightroom for years but now I am editing video using Davinci Resolve on a highly speced gaming laptop. When creative cloud is running davinci resolve cannot render even unadjusted 4K footage at full speed. When I quit creative cloud it can run fully color-adjusted at full speed even with 10 Chrome tabs open, and Acrobat and Lightroom running at the same time. What I do now is close creative cloud and Lightroom seems to run fine. As far as I can see Lightroom is running fine with Creative Cloud closed.


      At Andrew Hall, I have Adobe Creative Cloud installed and I remain sign in but do not have the app running. I just open when I need to check on the apps or install / update. Just do not exit or sign out.

       

      Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
        JP Hess
        JP Hess
        Inspiring
        February 9, 2021

        The CC app is what Adobe uses to advise you when updates are available, and is what is used to deliver those updates to you. I leave it installed and active at all times. It hasn't hindered operation or performance on my computer at all. Since that app is what is keeping track of when things need to be updated, that burden isn't part of Lightroom itself.


        That is how Lightroom and Lightroom Classic work. That's how all Adobe programs work. The entire Adobe collection is managed through the Creative Cloud Application Manager. If you can't work within that framework then you will have to look somewhere else. There is no other pathway to Lightroom or Lightroom Classic.

        D Fosse
        Community Expert
        D FosseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 9, 2021

        It's a very common notion that the CC application "bogs down" the computer with "bloat".

         

        I have never seen a shred of evidence that this is actually the case. Yes, some background processes are running, but every piece of software on the planet does that nowadays. If you have problems in Adobe software, this is not the cause.

         

        What the CC app does is take a lot of workload off each application and manage it centrally, so if anything, it reduces bloat.

        just eirik
        just eirikAuthor
        Known Participant
        February 9, 2021

        I am not saying its having a noticable effect. Im saying I did not install these things and I did not concent to having them run. 

        In my mind, it is not unreasonable to want to install ONLY Lr and nothing else. 

         

        "What the CC app does is take a lot of workload off each application and manage it centrally, so if anything, it reduces bloat." 
        What exactly does that mean? What workloads does it take off other apps? I don't udnerstand.

        DdeGannes
        Community Expert
        DdeGannesCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 10, 2021

        To be specific, it's necessary that you have The Creative Cloud activated i.e. you are signed in to your Adobe a/c to install, activate, uninstall, up date, manage etc, your application on your computer, you can exit the app but you must remain "signed in". You can be disconnected  from the internet for up to 30 days if you pay your subscription monthly or 90 days if you are subscribing annually. Adobe needs to verify if your payment is up to date.
        Also when you are completed working in LrC you can exit but do not sign out.

        You can have two computers activated at any point in time with one in use.

        Just some tips.

        Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
        dj_paige
        dj_paigeCorrect answer
        Legend
        February 9, 2021

        How can I download Lightroom Classic without downloading Adobe Creative cloud? I don't like how it installs and runs a lot of extra things I dont need. All I want is Lr.

         

        Is this possible?


        By @just eirik

         

        Can't be done. Lightroom cannot be downloaded and does not run without the Creative Cloud app.

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