Photoshop Elements 12- External Drive? *unique version of the question- I swear!*

[alison.marks]

Okay so here is the situation...

I have two computers (a Dell desktop and an HP laptop). Both of them have their own LICENSED version of Photoshop Elements 12 installed. I have access to both product keys as well still. Unfortunately, because of the nature of the machines themselves they are really really struggling to run PSE12 without slowing down drastically. One machine is my work computer so they won't upgrade the tech and the laptop is waaay too old to reasonably update it as well, I'd basically be better with a new device.

I have an 150GB Passport External Drive (includes Dmailersync if that matters).

I know I can set the Passport as the "scratch" drive, which will help some...but is their anyway to move/re-install the bulk of the PSE12 files onto the drive as well? I know something has to stay on the respective machines because of licenses/independent installs/blah blah blah....but are there parts that can be moved? Or any other way to help use the Passport to ease the machines when running PSE12??

P.s. please give me laymen's terms if possible! I know just enough to really mess up a machine...so the simpler the safer for me lol

Thanks in advance!!

[Greg_S.]

When you say you want to move the PSE 12 files to the external drive, I just want to be clear that you are talking about the program files and not your photo or video files.  If so, in theory, it is possible to install the program on the external drive.  However, I certainly wouldn't recommend it.  Given the age of your computers and their current performance issues, you are only looking for trouble.

However, if you want to move your media files to the external drive, then by all means do so.  A word of caution.  If you are using the Organizer for your media, then either do a backup and restore of your catalog to the external drive OR move the files within the Organizer, using the Folder view to make the move.  Do not move any files via Windows file explorer.

(I am also assuming your OS is Win 10.  If you are using an earlier OS, then I would be even more strongly against moving the program files.)

[alison.marks]

I am talking about the program files.... and I don't use the organizer for my files. I am on Win10

I'm curious why I would run into issues moving those over- can you explain more?

Also, if I decide to go that route, can you walk me through those steps?

Thanks in advance!

[Test Screen Name]

1. Apps that are installed are expected to be available all the time; if you boot and the program files aren't there, they may be broken.

2. You are assuming the program files are identical. That's a guess. There may be individual machine customization e.g. related to licensing, which is secret.

On no account try to move files belonging to an app. You need to use the installer and install to the external directory - if this is offered as an option.