Known Participant

Question

PS CC 2018 on a Windows 8.1 PC suddenly CANCELLED!?

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
December 12, 2023
4 replies
3592 views

I have a PC running Windows 8.1. It's an older PC, but it works perfectly. I have been using it as my main Photoshop station, with all the tools and displays needed to make the most of my images.

Because Adobe chose to drop support for Win8, I'm "stuck" on PS version CC 2018 (or 19.1.7 to be precise). And that is perfectly fine! Not one of the newer features that has been added to PS over the past years has been useful to me. On the contrary actually. (I sometimes use a laptop with the latest version, so I can compare.) There are even features removed (like the 3D filters, that would let you create bump- and normal maps for 3D models)!

Now to the problem: Today when I opened PS, it stated I did not have a valid license. After a long chat with customer support, it appears my version was discontinued. Out of the blue! Not one warning!
Their only "solution" was to update to Win 11 and use the latest version of PS. (Obviously not going to do that.) They then directed me here, to try and sort things out.

I want to know how I can get a working license for the software that is installed on my PC, that runs perfectly (if I choose to "start a 7-day trial"), and that I pay a monthly subscription fee for.
The way I percieve this is that Adobe now finally dropped Win8 completely, and does this by simply not allowing users to activate the license. For what reason? Why not let us users keep using an older version if we so choose?

Windows

E

Ellab3

Participant

I had this exact same problem. (Using Photoshop CC 2018, 19.1.9 on a Mac, El Capitan 10.11.6). I was on the photography annual plan paid monthly, and was not forewarned about the 2018 version being discontinued when I purchased the subscription, or even informed after it was discontinued. I haven't found any way to get a subscription that works for the 2018 version but would love to know if anyone finds a way to do it.

At the moment I've just had to fully cancel my subscription. I managed to get them to waive the early cancellation fee via the customer service chat - so if anyone else is panicking because they are trapped in an annual contract paid montly like I was, there is hope! Just make it clear that you weren't informed about the possibility of your version being discontinued when you bought the subscription.

Also, I know this would all be solved by updating my laptop - but I can't really afford to at the moment, and I shouldn't really have to. It's old but works just fine so it'd be a waste to replace it over this. I honestly can't understand why Adobe has just discontinued legacy versions of the apps without notice. It's just really bad practice on Adobe's part and incredibly frustrating.

L

Lumigraphics

Legend

Your version of OS X is WAY outdated and has not been supported by Apple in years. Its also not secure to use online. If you can't upgrade the system then you need to look into new hardware. A refurb Mac mini from the Apple Store is US$500 and I see recent models on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for even less.

Y

yochee123

Participant

Hi there, I have the exact same problem! I just bought another full year adobe cloud license abo, but with this new license my old photoshop (CC2018) doesn't work anymore... well, only as "7-day test version". Thing is: The day before prolonging the license it did work flawlessly. No notice, no warning. (cursing removed) Adobe, I had been paying for licenses the past 15 years and now I get kicked out just because I am still using my old computer with the old software (flawlessly! up until now).

BTW

Adobe Acrobat still works,

Indesign, Premiere, AE, everything CC2018 don`t, however they are the newest versions running on Win8.1.

I need my "old" computer with Win8.1. and some pre-vulcan GPU-drivers as I have some interactive installations and versions of VJ programs running best on this machine, and sometimes I need Adobe PS on it. Really badly.

*HELP*

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

@yochee123 unforunately you are running an almost 6 year old setup - there does come a point where it is no longer supported or in this case, requires an OS update to continue validating with the servers.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

Community Expert

Per Adobe support - @matsu_h windows 8.1 cannot connect to the Adobe activation servers. Update your OS and it should resolve the issue.

jane-e

Community Expert

They then directed me here, to try and sort things out.
By @matsu_h

Photoshop has been subscription only. Can you confirm that you have a paid subscription? If you had a pirated copy, there is nothing anyone can do. If you have a paid subscription, keep reading.

No one on this forum can see your billing details or help you to sort this out. Only Adobe Customer Care has access to your records. The volunteers on this forum cannot override anything Adobe says. Contact Adobe Customer Care again and this time get a case number at the beginning and ask for Tier 2 support.

Jane

M

matsu_hAuthor

Known Participant

Thanks for the reply.
I have been on the Photography Plan since 2015, when I got the PC in question. Creative Cloud is up to date and works fine (I can run Bridge from it, see my software plans and so on). It's just PS that isn't able to get a license.
When I click "purchase a new subscription" for CC 2018, when prompted to license the software, I get taken to a missing (404) webpage.

I will ask for a Tier 2 support, thank you.

jane-e

Community Expert

@matsu_h

Your paid subscription to Creative Cloud or the Photography Plan allows you to run previous versions.

I am a volunteer and cannot see your details. This is general information.

Jane

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