Receive installation error code 176 when trying to install Photoshop Elements on new computer.

[Bill Junk]

I am bringing up a Dell Precision 3660 and currently in the process of moving my software and data to it.  I was able to install Photoshop and Bridge without issues.  When I tried to install Photoshop elements the installation script runs for a few seconds and then aborts with an Installation Error 176.  When I look up that code it says I'm tring to install on a network drive.  I get the same result when trying to install to the default location on the system's C: drive and when I try to install on a disk I added as an E: drive. What gives?

[jane-e]

@Bill Junk 

I've moved your post from Photoshop to Photoshop Elements for you.

What version of Windows? What version of PSE?

Jane

[Bill Junk]

I have a new installation of Windows 11 Pro 64-bit with all updates installed. Windows version 22H2 (OS Build 22621.2134). I'm attempting to download Photoshop Elements from the Adobe site, so I presume it's up to date.

[Glenn 8675309 · Accepted solution]

This applies to photoshop, but still worth a try:

-Uninstall creative cloud - https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/help/uninstall-creative-cloud-desktop-app.html

-Delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe

-Reinstall Creative Cloud

Note: you may not be able to delete the 'CoreSyncExtension' folder. This is fine and it will work anyway.

also this youtube video had a solution that worked for alot of people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVjGoBBh6Ug

[Glenn 8675309]

I got this off another post from a year or two ago.  I honestly don't know how to just post a link to a previous discussion-- I always just copy and post the text. 

[Greg_S.]

Glenn, if you click on the time/date link under a poster's name, it will copy the URL of that post to the clipboard,

[Glenn 8675309]

Well I be!  Thanks!

[Bill Junk]

To my surprise this actually worked.  I didn't fin the YouTube video helpful - couldn't understand what he was saying nor what he was trying to do - maybe something about Windows drive volume set up. Thanks a ton for the delete and reinstall suggestion.

[Bill Junk]

Thanks to those who made suggestions.  I should have mentioned that I'm trying to (re)install Photoshop Elements 2022 which is the one installed on the computer I plan to replace. I have the product key for that product. I wish there was an explanation of why uninstalling Creative Cloud, deleting a few things, and then then reinstalling Creative Cloud would somehow make the installer think that my computer is no longer a network server (assuming that Error 176 is really about a network issue.).  My new computer is a Dell Precision 3660.  I have the Windows 11 network controls set so Network Discovery is 'OFF' and File and Printer sharing is 'OFF'. From the Creative Cloud suite so far I've only installed Bridge and Photoshop.  I opted to put them on a second drive (E:) so as not to take up space on my Windows OS drive (C:).

In the interim before I get any other suggestions I will likely try the one suggestion and remove Creative Cloud, delete some stuff and reinstall it. Solving this issues is the last thing I MUST do before I can cut the cord on the old machine. I use the Organizer in PSE as my photo library manager and that makes it critical to all the photo stuff I do.  Bridge, Adobe Camera Raw, and Photoshop are the rest of my tool kit.

[Bill Junk]

The uninstall of creative cloud and PSE, then reinstallion of CC, Photoshop, Bridge, and PSE did work, sort of.  The first PSE installation wouldn't give me access to the organizer, but I might have screwed that up by trying to make a direct link to what I thought was the .exe for the Organizer.  I uninstalled PSE again, this time was able to install it on my E: drive and it worked.  Have been able to import of my catalogs from the other computer and can access my image files that are on an external disk drive.  Have my fingers crossed that I'm actually about finished with transitioning to this new system.

[Glenn 8675309]

Sometimes, with wonky things, "Goofin' around with the Adobe creative cloud desktop app will fix some odd behavior--   No one kno0ows why, it just seems to work.

Users are often concerned about "signing up for subscriptions by accident because of the creative cloud app"-- -zero concerns-- other than those associated with anything that's a subscription service.  

I have photoshop-- I only pay $10.84 a month, and it's always up to date.   I had to make a conscious decision to subscribe--- I wasn't "tricked" into anything (this "tricking" is quite common with subscription anti-virus programs)--- you pay for a year, and chances are a year from now you may not notice another $39 bill----  All by subscription stuff is run via pay pal which I spend a few minutes each week reviewing. 

[Bill Junk]

I'm happy with my Creative Cloud subscription.  Have not really had any issues with it until this last week when I brought it a new computer and had to transition to Windows 11 and reinstall all my applications.  Finding the cause of the 176 error message in a situation where the installation is not being attempted on a network server seems like something that would be moderately easy to figure out with a code inspection. Determine all the places where the error message could be generated and work backwards until you find some faulty code.  If it looks like the only way for this to happen is to get a "bogus" return code from some Windows routine that was called, then try to get Microsoft to look into it.  That might take some luck, but would be worth a try -- in my opinion.