Why Can't I Open Multiple Instances Of PSE?

[Walter_H]

Hello,

I see it often mentioned here in the Elements Community forum that each year's new version of Elements is a separate stand-alone program and it's not necessary to uninstall an old version when you install a new version. So, I have PSE 14, PSE 2019, PSE 2020, and PSE 2022 installed on my Windows 10 PC. Each one of them works just fine.

If they are separate programs, why can I NOT open PSE 14 and PSE 2022 together so I can flip back and forth to see the difference between them? If I open a photo in PSE 14 and then try to open PSE 2022, nothing happens. PSE 2022 will not open. WHY NOT??

[Peru Bob]

Are you trying to open the same photo in each app?

[Walter_H]

Peru Bob, No. I simply open PSE 14 and then open a JPG photo via File > Open. After the photo opens in PSE 14, I attempt to open PSE 2022 by the pinned icon on my Windows taskbar. NOTHING happens, not even an error! I've even tried opening PSE 2022 via a desktop shortcut - same thing, NOTHING! It's like I didn't even click on the shortcut.

I've tried the same thing using my other installed versions of PSE - 2019 and 2020 and then try to open PSE 2022 and get the same result - NOTHING.

I've also tried opening a JPG in PSE 2022 first and then trying to open another version of PSE (14, 2019, or 2020) and I get the same result - NOTHING.

My Windows 10 Pro PC is:

• ASUS Prime Z390-A M/B
• Intel i9-9900K CPU
• 32GB G.Skill Memory
• 512GB Samsung 970 PRO SSD C drive
• 2TB WD Black HDD D drive
• 6TB Seagate (USB external) HDD E drive
• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti (4GB) Graphics Card

[Greg_S.]

I'm sure there is a good technical reason why you can't open two instances of the Editor at the same time.  And I doubt whether there are many users who have a desperate need to make comparisons of the two programs other than to decide whether to keep an older version on their computer.  There are very few versions that have differences where something valuable has been removed or changed.  Generally, there are only improved or additional features.  The only feature I can think of that many consider to be a degradation is the slideshow feature. 

And FWIW, you can open two versions of the Organizer at the same time, although that is probably a dangerous thing to do unless you want to maintain separate catalogs.

[Peru Bob]

I was able to open PSE 5 and PSE 2018 at the same time on Windows 7.

[Greg_S.]

@Peru Bob said: I was able to open PSE 5 and PSE 2018 at the same time on Windows 7

I suspect that is because one is 32-bit and the other is 64-bit.