Error when attempting to register Elements 5.0 on my new Windows 11 PC

[JDogboy]

I have an old, reliable copy of Photoshop Elements 5.0 that does everything I need, and I've installed it on my new Windows 11 PC.  It works just fine but nags me to register it.  However, the registration process always gives a Registration Error.  Every time I start up Elements I have to click "Register Later" because it won't permit me to "Register Now."  Any ideas on how to get this registered?

[John T Smith]

You need to ask program questions in the forum for the program you are using
To ask in the forum for your program please start at https://community.adobe.com/
Moving from Using the Community (which is about the forums) to the Photoshop Elements forum

[JDogboy]

Thank you.  That's where I thought I was since it says "Home > Photoshop Elements > Discussions" at the top of the page.  I will try again.

[Glenn 8675309]

Can't you justuse it without registering?   The lowest version I have is pse 10- never any issues.

Something to think about:  Registration servers for such an old version are surely shut down for probably at least 10 years. 

Probably time to step into the modern world:   Here is a link to a 7 day free trial of pse 2025:

https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-elements/free-trial.html

[JDogboy]

Thank you for responding.  Why would I spend $33 per year for a subscription to something that I already own?  Or are you offering to pay it for me?

[Glenn 8675309]

Your version was released 18 years ago, that's why I suggested it.   There have been tons of changes in the past 18 years,   You own a version which has not been offically supported for 16 years.   

Of course I won't pay for it:  you stick with version 5, that is entirely your choice.  You really need to give pse 2025 a try.

[Peru Bob]

PSE 5 doesn't need to be registered and can't be registered.

I've never registered it, and I am using it on a Windows XP and a Windows 7 computer.

[Jeff Arola]

Try this:

Go to

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 5.0

right click on the

PhotoshopElementsOrganizer.exe

and Run As Administrator

in the Organizer if the registration dialog does not pop up go to Help>Registration and click Do Not Register.

[JDogboy]

Thanks for the idea, but it doesn't work.  The registration dialog opens when I run PhotoshopElementsOrganizer in Adminstrator Mode.  I can never get to a window that gives me the "Do Not Register" Option.  I tried running the other Elements *.exe files the same way, and it doesn't work with any of them, either.

[Jeff Arola]

Try the above without your internet connected.

[JDogboy]

Thanks, but no luck.  Unplugged ethernet cable, turned off WiFi, and stopped VPN just for the heck of it.  No change.  Registration dialog opens regardless.

[Peru Bob]

Try it in Safe Mode.

[JDogboy]

Safe Mode seems to be a lot more complicated to use than in past versions of Windows.  I think I'll just have to learn to deal with the registration pestering every time I open Elements, although I'll continue to research if some tweaks to the Windows Registry can fix the problem.

[Peru Bob]

Try disabling this on startup:

Adobe Application Manager (Updater).exe

[JDogboy · Accepted solution]

No go.  But I finally found something that WORKED!  All I had to do was delete two files in the C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 5.0 folder: regsresen_GB.dll and regsresen_US.dll.

(I actually moved them elsewhere in case I needed them to restore the program's operation.)

Evidently those *.dll files are necessary to open the registration dialog.  With them gone, it stops asking me about registration.  And once I launch the program, if I go to Help - Registration...  it just ignores it. 

Thanks for all your help!

[Peru Bob]

Thanks for letting us know what worked for you.