PE 2024 Microsoft Store question

[Gabor.Toth]

Since there is no free trial option in the Microsoft Store for Photoshop Elements 2024, I can't try this feature, so I'd like to ask the community is anyone has experience with this.

What I'd like to know is if you can launch the PE 2024 Editor directly with a pinned icon on the tray, instead of launching the "home screen". With the version downloaded from the Adobe website, this can be done - you can simply pin the Editor on the tray and it will start. However, I don't know if the Microsoft Store works exactly the same or not (since that's a Windows app, it installs differently in a different location, etc).

The reason I ask is because the Microsoft Store version in my region is way more affordable than the one on Adobe's website (73.88 Euros with discount vs 105.40 Euros), so it really matters where I'd buy it. Also, as my computer launches PE relatively slowly, avoiding the "home screen" means a lot of saved time in my case. So it would be really helpful if someone could tell me if the Microsoft Store version can be used the same way, by pinning the Editor directly. Thank you!

[Glenn 8675309 · Accepted solution]

What I'd like to know is if you can launch the PE 2024 Editor directly with a pinned icon on the tray, instead of launching the "home screen".   Yes, you can do that WITH THE VERSION PURCHASED ANYWHERE BUT THE MS STORE.  Not too many users purchase it from the MS Store. 

A WORD OF CAUTION ABOUT PURCHASING FROM THE MS STORE:   According to Adobe, the version of Photoshop Elements 2024 that is sold on the Microsoft Store is a separate build of the application that does not require a serial number or an activation code. This is because the Microsoft Store uses its own licensing and updating system that is different from Adobe's.

Adobe also states that the Microsoft Store version and the Adobe website version are not compatible with each other, and that you cannot transfer your catalog or projects between them. Therefore, if you want to use the full features of Photoshop Elements 2024, you may need to purchase it from the Adobe website instead of the Microsoft Store.

WHAT THAT MEANS:  The Microsoft Store handles the download, installation, licensing, and updating of all products purchased through it. If you encounter an issue with an Adobe product during one of these four processes, visit http://www.support.microsoft.com.


Previous users of PSE typically will get at $20 offfer of a discount during the checkout process at just about any location other than the MS Store.,when the sale price what it usually is now: $99.    That $20 off offer also typically made when the price drops to $79 (72.14 Euros)

I can't endorse puchasing PSE 2024 from the MS Store.   You get a  slightly different product.  Your updates are pushed out by microsoft. 

[Gabor.Toth]

Thank you. I have Photoshop Elements 15 from the Microsoft Store, I purchased it back in 2016, that may be why the MS Store still offers me a discount. This has been the case for many years, but I always avoided buying the product for the reasons listed above. Sadly, as it's the MS Store version, it also doesn't have a serial number I could register at the Adobe website. V15 works fine to be honest, and it also was the last one that didn't have this "home screen" thing mandatory. It had the setting to launch directly into the editor. It's disappointing that Adobe removed this option since.

PE 15 is showing its age now and I'd like to have all the new features that have been introduced in the past years. I will use the trial of 2024 now, and then I'll see.