How To Download Old Versions of Photoshop Elements

[Walter_H]

Hello,

I often see posts from folks that need to download old versions of Photoshop Elements in order to install it on a new computer or a new hard drive. Old versions of Photoshop Elements (and Premier Elements) from v7 (2008) through v2022 are available to download from ProDesignTools.

You will of course need to have a genuine serial number to actually use the program. Otherwise, it will just be a Trial. Use the link at the bottom of this post. Just scroll down about 3 or 4 pages till you get to the section titled "Elements Direct Download Links".

This is from ProDesignTools: "These links go to the authentic and secure files residing on Adobe’s servers, are guaranteed genuine, safe, and legal, and will not change..."

How to Get Direct Download Links for All Adobe Products

[Edward C29069330i11c]

I need an older version of Adobe premier elements 14 or 15. I need a working version not a trial. I'm not trying to get out of paying for it but as I have an older computer unfortunately it is unable to run the newer 23 version or anything above 15 as I am retired I don't have the funding to buy a new high-end computer. But I have a video camera and want to burn home movies that I take with my camera on to disc DVD and Blu-ray only the older elements will allow me to do that. I don't mind paying full price but I just need the older program how do I go about legally buying an older version. All the links I find try to get me to buy the new version that won't work on my computer. Any info or help would be appreciated thanks Ed

[jacg16079893]

New versions now only last 3 years.  I was not under those terms so cut me off after 3 years on some made up lie.  Your better off with older untouchable ones

[RobertinTexas]

Thank you Walter for the ProDesignTools tip worked for me.. my copy of elements 8 some how got warped and was unusable to reinstall.

[Jeff Arola]

Another way is to download from ones Adobe Account.

I believe the oldest version available is photoshop elements 7 regardless if you registered an older version than 7.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/downloaded-older-app.html

[jacg16079893]

Adobe have cut off my Elements 21....under a pretext.  Why because new elements are switched off after 3 years.  Mine was not under their new congtract.

My trust in this company is now nil.  They took my money under false pretenses. Switched off my elements 21 under false pretext.
Think people need to go elsewhere.

[Greg_S.]

@jacg16079893 if you don't tell us what happened, we can't help you.  I seriously doubt that the situation is what you have described.  Perhaps you have read that Elements 2025 is now a 3 year term license.  That is true.  But I still have nearly every previous version of Elements going back to version 4.0 working on my Windows 11 computer.  If you are talking about Macs, the situation may be different.  Apple apparently doesn't believe in producing new operating systems that can handle older software.

If you want to give us more detail about your problem, including any error messages you have encountered, we may be able to help you.

[jacg16079893]

Hi Greg, currently Adobe software is saying my serial number is already used by the maximum number of computers. But this the only device this is installed on. I have contact Adobe to resolve the issue, but they said they dont' support the software no more. But that is not the issue, all they need to do is allow my license to function so i can use Elements 21. 

[odile1849]

Hi Greg,
I have exactly the same problem as @jacg16079893. I'd been using Elements 7 for years (bought legally, not cracked) and recently I found that while you can edit a photo on it, it will not save the changes. I'm fuming because I was quite happy with it and do not need all the new automatic stuff, in fact it annoys the hell out of me. I resent this scam from Adobe and am now looking for something as similar as possible to Elements, but without a time limit. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Thank you so much for your good work!

[john_3522]

I tried elements 25 after using elements 13 for years. The 25 version was a complete disapointment. As far as Raw processing was concerned it was a complete DOWNGRADE. DID NOT BUY IT.

[amazing_Sunrise4335]

I loaded my Photoshop Elements 9 from CD on my new windows 11 computer and got the Black Screen of Death.  You indicate it should be compatible.  Is there some extra install steps that will make it work with windows 11.

[Greg_S.]

@jacg16079893, although you may currently have the program installed on only one computer, if you did not properly sign out of the program from another computer, or even from an upgrade of OS, the activations will remain counted on those other devices.

If you have been able to successfully install the program, you can try activating it offline by disconnecting your machine from the internet and using the instructions found in this Adobe HelpX article.

[jacg16079893]

Hi Greg, Elements 21 was only ever activated on this one machine and not on any previous devices. Also no upgrade from Win10 to Win11 either. This is what is fustrating. Adobe help is pushing me to 25 which is a 3 year license which sadly i don't want. 21 is lifetime and it should just work.  

[Jayce 01]

Hi, 

I am changing computer owing to Micrsoft doing away with Win 10. All the new computers are 64 bit. can i still use Can I use Photoshop element 12 which is 32 bit as 64 bit download is not available

[Glenn 8675309]

Yes. 

 Most 32-bit programs can run on a 64-bit operating system. 64-bit versions of Windows include a compatibility layer called WOW64 (Windows-on-Windows 64-bit) that allows them to execute 32-bit applications. This means you don't need to run a separate emulator or virtual machine to use older 32-bit software on a 64-bit system. 

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• WOW64:

  This subsystem acts as a translator, converting 32-bit API calls into their 64-bit equivalents, allowing the 32-bit program to interact with the 64-bit operating system. 
• No Need for Emulation:

  While some older systems might require emulation for older software, 64-bit Windows handles the compatibility through WOW64. 
• Potential Performance Impact:

  While generally seamless, there can be a slight performance overhead when running 32-bit applications on a 64-bit system due to the translation layer. However, this is usually not noticeable for most users. 
• Exceptions:

  Some older or specialized 32-bit applications, especially some antivirus programs and device drivers, might have compatibility issues and might require specific compatibility settings or not work at all. 

[Jayce 01]

ThanksSent from my Galaxy

[Jayce 01]

Thanks Glen

[Greg_S.]

@odile1849, you are describing two different problems.  Which is it that you want help with?  What OS are you using? And in order to help you we need more details (and screenshots of any error messages you are getting).

[odile1849]

Hi Greg,
Apologies for the late reply to your own quick reaction to my post, due to a combination of circumstances: an ongoing problem with an elderly cat (20+) who appears near death every day but is still around, an unexpected visit from a second cousin not seen for over ten years and, yesterday, the funeral of my ex-partner in England (I’m French and now live in France). No, I’m not a fantasist even though it sounds like it, as indeed does my story about PS Elements.

There was only one problem: suddenly it saved (or didn’t save) changes to a file not in the Jpeg format, but a different one which I couldn’t open. This started a couple of months ago, around the same time as we were told about the new PSE with a three-year license. It happened several times so, for a while, I made to with the ACDC edit function (normally I only use ACDC as an organiser). The other day I thought I’d have a look at downloading a “new version” of the old PSE 7 in case it might work better, came across the forum and fired off my question without checking my existing PSE 7. This I did after receiving your reply and, much to my astonishment, it worked and it saves normally again. So I’m sorry as I appear to have wasted your time.
However, being an old cynic, I’m wondering whether Adobe didn’t mess around with older programmes as it appears other users have been experiencing problems, before realising they were acting against their best interests. Anything’s possible! Anyway, the main thing is that I can use my good old V.7 again so all is well. As an old-school photographer with over 50 years’ experience, I don’t need any automation to tell me how to compose or crop a picture, which I can do, dare I say, with my eyes closed! 😂In fact, I find that automation really gets in the way of what I want to do, including in non-photographic activities. Sadly, all this automation is turning the younger population into dummies, including for writing as they rely entirely on spell checkers. I prefer to use my brain and, please note: I will never buy a programme that’s only available on subscription.

Anyway, thanks for your help and good luck with “apps for dummies”. 😊

Odile

[Greg_S.]

@john_3522 since you haven't told us what feature of raw processing was downgraded between Elements 13 and 2025, it is difficult to respond to your post.  Did you actually install the ACR plug-in from the Help menu?  Maybe you consider that having to install the plug-in separately from the main program is a downgrade.  But (IMO) in all other respects the latest ACR version is functionally superior to the one available in Elements 13.

[john_3522]

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />

Hi,

I did not plug in the ACR from the help menu. 

I didn't realise I had to.

When I attempted to process a RAW file there was no histogram tool and no selective sharpening tool.

Personally I am not interested in the effects the software gives, just improving photo processing. 

[john_3522]

Hi,

Does Elements 25 have selective sharpening and the histogram tool for RAW file processing?