first, the name, Lightroom is no longer CC or whatever, but has "the" name, and Classic sounds a little bit like "soon obsolete".the interface of LrC is obsolete! LrC gets new features regularly but it is the only Adobe software with such and old and unergonomic UI. Why?The Adobe photography plans policy and prices, encouraging the use of Lr and cloud.Lr is getting closer to LrC in terms of features and capabilities every year. With nonetheless some big gaps: no subfolders view, no virtual copy, no plugins, less sort capabilities…LrC is slow.So I wonder, if LrC is going to be discontinued in 2, 3, 5 years, the photo community has to know and anticipate. Obviously in this scenario Adobe fears an exodus to C1, Darktable… It’s up to Adobe to give a secure, affordable and clever transition to Lr.If not, please optimize the code of LrC to have a lighter and faster engine, and please please give us a modern and ergonomic UI.

Inspiring

Answered

Is Adobe planning to discontinue Lightroom Classic (LrC)?

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
November 22, 2025
5 replies
2264 views

first, the name, Lightroom is no longer CC or whatever, but has "the" name, and Classic sounds a little bit like "soon obsolete".
the interface of LrC is obsolete! LrC gets new features regularly but it is the only Adobe software with such and old and unergonomic UI. Why?
The Adobe photography plans policy and prices, encouraging the use of Lr and cloud.
Lr is getting closer to LrC in terms of features and capabilities every year. With nonetheless some big gaps: no subfolders view, no virtual copy, no plugins, less sort capabilities…
LrC is slow.

So I wonder, if LrC is going to be discontinued in 2, 3, 5 years, the photo community has to know and anticipate. Obviously in this scenario Adobe fears an exodus to C1, Darktable… It’s up to Adobe to give a secure, affordable and clever transition to Lr.

If not, please optimize the code of LrC to have a lighter and faster engine, and please please give us a modern and ergonomic UI.

Correct answer johnrellis

Here's what I wrote about the software connotations of "Classic" on the old Photoshop Family forum 3/24/2018 (see the attached PDF for a prettier printout):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Classic" has a wide range of meaning, and it often means traditional, elegant, revered, etc. But in the context of software and the Web, it is very often used to connote end-of-life, superseded by a newer product, outdated, old fashioned, no longer available, legacy technology, supported but no more improvements, hard to use, not the preferred product, etc. -- as just a little time spent with Google reveals. Why would marketers choose a name fraught with such connotations?

Examples:

Adobe Acrobat Classic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Acrobat
"Updates for the Classic track are released quarterly, and do not include new features..."

Google Classic Maps
https://techforluddites.com/classy-gmap-update/
"Last year when Google killed off their Classic Maps program and replaced it with a much less user-friendly option missing a bunch of key features..."

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-to-shut-down-classic-google-maps-will-introduce-new-lite-...
"Google to Shut Down Classic Google Maps, Will Introduce New Lite Version"

Google Classic Sites
https://www.lifewire.com/brief-guide-google-web-hosting-3473732
"Google launched Google Sites in 2008 to serve as a free web hosting solution for Google users, similar to Wordpress.com, Blogger and other free blogging platforms. The company received criticism regarding the difficulty of working with the original Sites interface and as a result, in late 2016, Google's overhauled Google Sites went live with a redesign. The web pages created under the original Sites design are designated as Classic Google Sites, while the sites created under the redesigned Google Sites are identified as New Google Sites.

"Both are fully functional, with Google promising to support Classic Google Sites web pages at least through 2018."

"The new redesigned interface promises to be much easier to work with. Although you can still work with the Classic site for a couple of years, and Google is promising a migration option for moving from Classic to New, if you are planning a new website with Google, it makes sense to use the redesigned New Google Sites."

Microsoft Classic ASP
https://classicasp.site/classic-asp-support/do-you-need-support-for-your-older-legacy-software-and-w...
"Legacy website support such as Classic ASP, Umbraco 4 and 6..."

Classic Mac OS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Mac_OS
"The 'Classic' Mac OS[4] is a graphical user interface-based operating system developed by Apple Inc. for its Macintosh family of personal computers from 1984 until 2001"

Desktop App Converter
https://thenextweb.com/apps/2016/04/08/microsofts-releases-tool-converting-legacy-software-modern-wi...
At Build 2016, Microsoft announced the Desktop App Converter, a tool that would allow developers to convert classic Windows programs into modern Universal Windows Platform(UWP) apps. ... While the tool won’t magically make legacy apps look like modern ones...

Novagem Solutions
http://www.novagemsolutions.com/en-us/services/moveyourclassicdesktopoperationonweb.aspx
We move your classic desktop application on Web. Novagem Solutions allows companies to revalue their investments ... even if these are based on legacy desktop platform.

Windows Mobile 6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
"It comes in three different versions: 'Windows Mobile 6 Standard'for Smartphones (phones without touchscreens), 'Windows Mobile 6 Professional' for Pocket PCs with phone functionality, and 'Windows Mobile 6 Classic' for Pocket PCs without cellular radios"

Basecamp
https://basecamp.com/help/2/guides/account/switch-classic
"When you're ready, it's easy for you to move your Classic projects into the new and improved version of Basecamp."

BlueNote Communicator Classic
http://www.bluenotesoftware.com/news/lights/
"Classic has all of its class; it is just not the 'flagship' product any more."

Dynix Classic
https://librarytechnology.org/repository/item.pl?id=12736
"...it came to be accepted as a strong alternative for public libraries that were moving away from their aging Dynix Classic systems."

Loch Ness Productions
https://www.lochnessproductions.com/legacy.html
"Legacy / Classic: Loch Ness Productions got its start in the traditional (now "classic") planetarium medium. ... But, the bits and bytes of computer technology eventually rendered the old slide projector and film equipment passé."

Prezi Classic
https://prezi.com/support/article/steps/prezi-classic/
Times change, and so does technology. That’s why Prezi is now Prezi Classic to make room for our newest software, Prezi Next. We’ve streamlined the best elements of Prezi Classic and added a host of new capabilities so you can create next-level presentations that visually pop and captivate your audience. While you can still use the same version of Prezi that revolutionized the way the world does presentations, we would like to introduce the next big thing in presenting.

Infosphere Classic Federation Server
http://www.lookupmainframesoftware.com/soft_detail/dispsoft/1764
"Categories: Legacy Application/Data Access + Databases...Access mainframe databases"

Salesforce Classic
https://automationchampion.com/2017/09/13/migrating-from-salesforce-classic-to-lightning-experience/
"The Lightning interface provides a more natural user experience than the familiar Salesforce Classic. ... Indeed, with every release, Lightning Experience is getting better and better."

Paypal Classic Site
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=1265&q=paypal+classic+site+&oq=paypal+classic...
Anyone who has used Paypal for accepting business payments has experienced the horror of watching Paypal remove useful functionality...

DdeGannes

Community Expert

See the attached for your info, what's in a word.

I have used the application since it's inception in Feb 2007, and continue to do so.

There have been significant improvements from LrC 12 through 13, 14 and now 15 into the AI world,

Enjoy the rest of the evening.

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 15.3; PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.

johnrellisCorrect answer

Legend

Here's what I wrote about the software connotations of "Classic" on the old Photoshop Family forum 3/24/2018 (see the attached PDF for a prettier printout):

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Classic" has a wide range of meaning, and it often means traditional, elegant, revered, etc. But in the context of software and the Web, it is very often used to connote end-of-life, superseded by a newer product, outdated, old fashioned, no longer available, legacy technology, supported but no more improvements, hard to use, not the preferred product, etc. -- as just a little time spent with Google reveals. Why would marketers choose a name fraught with such connotations?

Examples:

Adobe Acrobat Classic
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adobe_Acrobat
"Updates for the Classic track are released quarterly, and do not include new features..."

Google Classic Maps
https://techforluddites.com/classy-gmap-update/
"Last year when Google killed off their Classic Maps program and replaced it with a much less user-friendly option missing a bunch of key features..."

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-to-shut-down-classic-google-maps-will-introduce-new-lite-...
"Google to Shut Down Classic Google Maps, Will Introduce New Lite Version"

Google Classic Sites
https://www.lifewire.com/brief-guide-google-web-hosting-3473732
"Google launched Google Sites in 2008 to serve as a free web hosting solution for Google users, similar to Wordpress.com, Blogger and other free blogging platforms. The company received criticism regarding the difficulty of working with the original Sites interface and as a result, in late 2016, Google's overhauled Google Sites went live with a redesign. The web pages created under the original Sites design are designated as Classic Google Sites, while the sites created under the redesigned Google Sites are identified as New Google Sites.

"Both are fully functional, with Google promising to support Classic Google Sites web pages at least through 2018."

"The new redesigned interface promises to be much easier to work with. Although you can still work with the Classic site for a couple of years, and Google is promising a migration option for moving from Classic to New, if you are planning a new website with Google, it makes sense to use the redesigned New Google Sites."

Microsoft Classic ASP
https://classicasp.site/classic-asp-support/do-you-need-support-for-your-older-legacy-software-and-w...
"Legacy website support such as Classic ASP, Umbraco 4 and 6..."

Classic Mac OS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic_Mac_OS
"The 'Classic' Mac OS[4] is a graphical user interface-based operating system developed by Apple Inc. for its Macintosh family of personal computers from 1984 until 2001"

Desktop App Converter
https://thenextweb.com/apps/2016/04/08/microsofts-releases-tool-converting-legacy-software-modern-wi...
At Build 2016, Microsoft announced the Desktop App Converter, a tool that would allow developers to convert classic Windows programs into modern Universal Windows Platform(UWP) apps. ... While the tool won’t magically make legacy apps look like modern ones...

Novagem Solutions
http://www.novagemsolutions.com/en-us/services/moveyourclassicdesktopoperationonweb.aspx
We move your classic desktop application on Web. Novagem Solutions allows companies to revalue their investments ... even if these are based on legacy desktop platform.

Windows Mobile 6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Mobile
"It comes in three different versions: 'Windows Mobile 6 Standard'for Smartphones (phones without touchscreens), 'Windows Mobile 6 Professional' for Pocket PCs with phone functionality, and 'Windows Mobile 6 Classic' for Pocket PCs without cellular radios"

Basecamp
https://basecamp.com/help/2/guides/account/switch-classic
"When you're ready, it's easy for you to move your Classic projects into the new and improved version of Basecamp."

BlueNote Communicator Classic
http://www.bluenotesoftware.com/news/lights/
"Classic has all of its class; it is just not the 'flagship' product any more."

Dynix Classic
https://librarytechnology.org/repository/item.pl?id=12736
"...it came to be accepted as a strong alternative for public libraries that were moving away from their aging Dynix Classic systems."

Loch Ness Productions
https://www.lochnessproductions.com/legacy.html
"Legacy / Classic: Loch Ness Productions got its start in the traditional (now "classic") planetarium medium. ... But, the bits and bytes of computer technology eventually rendered the old slide projector and film equipment passé."

Prezi Classic
https://prezi.com/support/article/steps/prezi-classic/
Times change, and so does technology. That’s why Prezi is now Prezi Classic to make room for our newest software, Prezi Next. We’ve streamlined the best elements of Prezi Classic and added a host of new capabilities so you can create next-level presentations that visually pop and captivate your audience. While you can still use the same version of Prezi that revolutionized the way the world does presentations, we would like to introduce the next big thing in presenting.

Infosphere Classic Federation Server
http://www.lookupmainframesoftware.com/soft_detail/dispsoft/1764
"Categories: Legacy Application/Data Access + Databases...Access mainframe databases"

Salesforce Classic
https://automationchampion.com/2017/09/13/migrating-from-salesforce-classic-to-lightning-experience/
"The Lightning interface provides a more natural user experience than the familiar Salesforce Classic. ... Indeed, with every release, Lightning Experience is getting better and better."

Paypal Classic Site
https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=1265&q=paypal+classic+site+&oq=paypal+classic...
Anyone who has used Paypal for accepting business payments has experienced the horror of watching Paypal remove useful functionality...

classic.pdf

ralphlouzonAuthor

Inspiring

Remarkable and exhaustive work 🙂

Conrad_C

Community Expert

People bring up this “Adobe is about to discontinue Classic” from time to time, but there is still too much evidence against it. Two big examples:

Lightroom Classic continues to get new, advanced features at the same time as or soon after Camera Raw, features which still are not in cloud Lightroom. They are still adding relatively minor useful Classic-only features, including convenience features, that they wouldn’t bother paying programmers to write if they were going to discontinue Classic soon.

Lightroom Classic continues to get rewrites to its underlying code, like the recent addition of GPU acceleration for generating previews that sped that up by a lot. They would not invest in fundamental performance if they were planing to discontinue Classic. There are several other areas of Classic, such as Export, that also run faster than they did a few years ago because of optimizations such as GPU acceleration.

Adobe does price and market in ways that encourages cloud Lightroom, that’s true. But they continue to invest resources in Classic in ways that might suggest that they discovered that they might lose too many users if they dropped Classic.

the interface of LrC is obsolete! LrC gets new features regularly but it is the only Adobe software with such and old and unergonomic UI. Why?

By @ralphlouzon

Only the interface is obsolete, and a lot of people would agree with that. But the underlying code is continually being modernized for performance and compatibility, which again companies are not known to do for applications on the chopping block. In some ways, such as keyboard shortcut support, I think Classic is more ergonomic. Cloud Lightroom makes me use my mouse too much.

Also, you can't think an application is about to be discontinued because of an old-looking interface. The basic UI design of Photoshop still looks a lot like it did when first released in 1990, 35 years ago, but you aren’t going to say Photoshop is about to be discontinued. Same with Illustrator and InDesign.

johnrellis

Legend

Certainly LR Classic uses a UI style that is representative of 15-year-old apps and not recently developed apps. I'm unconvinced that its old style is "unergonomic" though. We shouldn't conflate graphical design styles, whose fashions change over time, with the more functional parts of UI design.

There are parts of LR Classic that are clumsy and parts that are very efficient for experienced users; ditto for LR Desktop. I also think LR Desktop's design is optimized for presenting stripped-down functionality to casual users, rather than much larger amounts of functionality for expert, very frequent users.

Re the name "Classic" -- I said at the time it was introduced, and I still believe, that LR's mediocre marketers didn't appreciate the connotation of "Classic" when naming legacy products. I produced a long list of products that were rebranded "Classic" and then soon retired. The marketers created a lot of confusion and ill-will using "Classic".

JohanElzenga

Community Expert

The name Lightroom Classic was introduced 8 years ago. That does not sound like "soon obsolete" to me somehow...

-- Johan W. Elzenga

J

Jao vdL

Community Expert

Classic won't disappear for a long time. It still gets features sooner than the cloud version, just like the ostensibly even more archaic ACR. 10 years minimum. Adobe is completely committed to Classic still. In 10 years or so,, computing will have again completely transformed and we'll be ready for completely new concepts in photography anyway and the whole Classic vs Cloudy argument will be moot..
classic is much too engrained in the professional photography world for Adobe to give up on it any time soon. It would lead to a massive revolt in their pro base. Cloudy is an awesome tool in my opinion but misses numerous essential features still.

ralphlouzonAuthor

Inspiring

Ok, I get your point, and indeed LrC is the Adobe most professionnal photo tool.
So why does Adobe make no effort to polish this old and cumbersome interface (this "classic" vibe)?
And makes it faster: Classic can be so slow despite all the speed improvment annoucements (probably too complex, I don't know...).

JohanElzenga

Community Expert

Ok, I get your point, and indeed LrC is the Adobe most professionnal photo tool.
So why does Adobe make no effort to polish this old and cumbersome interface (this "classic" vibe)?

By @ralphlouzon

Maybe because most professional photographers using Lightroom Classic might not care so much about a 'polished' interface. They prefer that Adobe uses developer time for something more useful than eye candy.

-- Johan W. Elzenga

dj_paige

Legend

Do you think Adobe is going to voluntarily stop earning all that money from subscriptions by hundreds of thousands of Lightroom Classic users? That doesn't sound like a good business decision to me.

Anyway, there have been dozens of discussions on this topic, you can search for them and read all about it.

AnOpticalView

Known Participant

No they plan to make more money from it (you and I) via monetising features we all use a lot and cannot do without. You will get a leader of some free or very cheap credits and have to use credits for each use of a 'feature' (ie denoise, sharpen, enlarge plugins (from Topaz) and AI features). Later (rather like the price rises for the Photography plan) Adobe will leverage their dominant position to upraise the prices of the credits.
Its the American way. A loss (or low prtofit foot in the door) then pauperize you. Enjoy!

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