Will installing Elements 2025 impact my 2021 version?

[Jill R Morrison]

I have Elements 2021 on my Windows machine. I'm interested in the new features of Elements 2025. I've read posts that these are separate installs, but I'm still worried that installing 2025 will impact my ability to use the 2021 version (if I choose not to get a license after the free trial). The reason I'm worried is that the installation of 2025 is telling me to shut down my 2021 version. If they are separate installs, why does it matter if 2021 is up and running? In all likelihood, I'll keep 2025, but I'd still like to know for certain that 2021 will still work since I'm in the middle of a project.

Thanks very much!

[Greg_S. · Accepted solution]

They are entirely separate installations.  Installing Elements 2025 will have no effect on Elements 2021 and you will be able to use the older version whether or not you decide to buy Elements 2025.

If you use the Organizer, you will be offered the opportunity to convert your 2021 catalog to the 2025 version.  I recommend that you do so.  If you do, a copy of your 2021 catalog will be made and will be saved with a numeric suffix.  For example, the default name of My Catalog will be renamed My Catalog -1.  When you open the 2021 Organizer, it may send up a message that it can't find your catalog.  If this happens, you simply have to choose the renamed catalog to open from the File>Manage Catalogs list.

As for the installer telling you to shut down Elements 2021 before installing Elements 2025, this is a standard installer practice.  While you can have two versions of the Elements Editor installed on your computer, you can only open one at a time. (But you can have more than one version of the Organizer open simultaenously.)

[Jill R Morrison]

Thanks, Greg! 

[jimk10828505]

Hi Greg,

Does Adobe verify previous version by Serial Number, 2021 has separate ones for Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements.   

New laptop, so would like to go ahead and install the latest version.

Thanks,

Jim

[Glenn 8675309]

I also have pse version 10 installed-- I've never had any issues with any version.

[Greg_S.]

@jimk10828505 I'm not entirely sure I understand your question.  Yes, before Elements 2025, all versions had a serial number that was required to activate the license.  Each version of Photoshop Elements has a different serial number than the same version of Premiere Elements.

Starting with Elements 2025, activation is verified by signing into your Adobe account from a known device.  There is no serial number involved with this latest version.