What is my upgrade path?

[David_F]

I am using Adobe Premiere Elements 2020 Version 18.0 (20201207.daily.2234367).

I purchased Adobe Premiere Elements and Phostoshop Elements versions 19.0 and 21.0  that were never installled.   

My primary concern is to preserve the tags and their functionality that I created in Adobe Organizer on 40K  media files.  

I have 4 questions:

1. Are there known issues with the organizer tags on upgrading?

2. Are there other issues I should concisder befor upgrading?

3. What is the best path to upgrade?  Simply buy the latest version and install directly or upgrade in sequence with the versions I have and then install to the latest version?

4. I also have an Acrobat Pro plan.  Is there a bundle available that includes the Elements apps and the Acrobat?

Thank you for any suggestions.

[John T Smith]

1 - I don't use organizer, so can't comment

2 - the current 2024 version does not include the function to create a DVD (version 2021 does have that function)

3 - every version is separate, so there really isn't an upgrade... and an old project may not open or work properly in a newer version

4 - Elements is a discrete program that is not bundled with any subscription

[David_F]

Thank you John.  

What is the appropriate action if a project I created in Premier Elements 2020 will not open in Premier Elements 2024?  

Do I have to import all of the raw files and start completely over in the new version?  Or can I somehow import all of my edits from the old version into  the "shell" of a new Premier Elements 2024 project?

[Bill Sprague]

The appropriate action is to maintain projects in the version they were created in.  There is no safe way to open an old project in the newer version.   Adobe does not try to make an import function like that work.   That said, if the project is simple, with little use of transitions, titles or effects, it may open without issue in newer versions.  

One workaround used by some is to export an intermediate file from older versions and use that as a source clip in the newer version.   

Why do you want to upgrade?  What is it that you need from the newer version?

[David_F]

Thank you Bill.  I quess I am not familiar with the way Adobe upgrades work. But if I understand correctly, if I upgrad to version 2024, I would still have 2020 on my nachine and I would work with new projects in 2024 but open old projects in 2020.  Is that correct? 

I don't have a particular need to upgrade. I am a casual user so I don't need all the latest features.  I thought I should upgrade for continued maintenance and support and possible compatibility issues with other software (e.g, Windows 11). 

[John T Smith]

>possible compatibility issues with other software (e.g, Windows 11)

I run Win11 (in place upgrade from Win7 to Win10 and then Win11) and Microsoft does a FAR BETTER job of working with older programs than Apple's operating system (where older programs simply stop working)

NOTE I have 4 very old IGT Slot games that I installed on Win11 (32bit x86 mode on 64bit OS)
I did not have to select a compatibility mode or run as Admin... Win11 just accepted them
So in my experience Microsoft has done a very good job with backwards compatibility
Program EXE dated 10-07-2015 Game of the Gods
Program EXE dated 03-06-2012 Diamond Galaxy
Program EXE dated 11-18-2011 Lucky Larry
Program EXE dated 08-04-2010 Wolf Run

[Bill Sprague]

You are correct.  Projects should stay in the version they were created in and each version runs independently of the other.  

I think the assumption might be that projects are normally completed and are not ongoing.   Premiere Pro is managed differently but is more expensive.