Images open really small in Photoshop CS5

[karend91102231]

I recently bought a new Dell XPS 15 and I'm trying to run Photoshop CS5. I was able to enlarge the program itself but when I open the images they are just a small fraction of the screen. I don't know how to get them to open in workable size. I am just a retired advanced home user who does this for a hobby and I certainly don't want to pay $50 a month for Creative Cloud. How do I get my images to open in screen size where I can work on them?

{Thread renamed by moderator}

[Derek Cross · Accepted solution]

Make sure you're viewing the image at 100 per cent (command/control + 1)

Your version of Photoshop (CS5) is about eight years old and is not optimised for modern high resolution screens.

The Photography plan includes Photoshop CC2019 and updates as they become available, and Lightroom and costs around $10 a month (not $50!).

[karend91102231]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into Elements. I did not care for the original versions when they came out  many years ago, as it seemed limited in functionality , which is why I bought Photoshop. Hopefully it has improved and will suit my needs now .

[Sahil.Chawla]

Hi Karen,

As the images are opening really small, could you please try lowering the screen resolution and then relaunch Photoshop?

Also, what operating system are you working with?

Please check this thread and see if it helps: Photoshop CC 19.1.1: Images opening unexpectedly small (macOS) | Photoshop Family Customer Community

Regards,
Sahil

[Per Berntsen]

What is the screen resolution of your laptop?

If it's high resolution, like 3840 x 2160, images will display small in Photoshop, because the screen pixels are small.

Web browsers and some other applications will enlarge images to 200% when they detect a high resolution screen, but Photoshop cannot do this, it has to display correctly. So at 100% view, it will display one screen pixel for one image pixel.

[Nancy OShea]

karend91102231  wrote

I am just a retired advanced home user who does this for a hobby and I certainly don't want to pay $50 a month for Creative Cloud.

You can buy a current version of Photoshop Elements 2019 for about $100, no subscription required.   Elements doesn't have all the advanced bells & whistles found in pricier  Photoshop Extended.  But it's easy to use and it will fit your hi-res display much better than what you're using now.

Easy Photo Editing Software | Adobe Photoshop Elements 2019

The other option is to find an old computer that can still support old software.

[Kevin Stohlmeyer]

Another option would be to sign up for the $9.99 Photo package from Adobe. This gives you the current iteration of Photoshop at a minimal price.

[Per Berntsen]

I agree with the other posters that it would be a good idea to either subscribe to the Photography plan, or buy Photoshop Elements. CS5 will probably stop working at some point.

But be aware that using modern software will not make your images display larger, this has to do with the screen resolution of your laptop.

[davescm]

Per Bernsten is spot on. The newer software gives you options to make the interface (i.e. menus etc)  bigger, but the image itself will still use 1 screen pixel for 1 image pixel at 100% zoom, it has to for accuracy. The more screen pixels you have in an inch the smaller the image dimensions on screen at 100% zoom.

Dave

[jane-e]

If you are considering the Photography plan, get the seven-day free trial first to see if it works. The Photography plan is an annual plan, paid monthly.

Compare plans |Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan

[Cotomono]

Set the resolution of your screen(s) to 1920x1080. That's it. See the first picture with the problem - the resolution is set up to the one suggested by the manufacturer. The second pix shows the full-screen graphic with the 1920x1080 resolution set for all my screens.