Title: Adobe Photoshop Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607 or Later)
Message:
Adobe Photoshop (recent versions, including Creative Cloud 2020 and later) requires Windows 10 version 1607 (Anniversary Update) or newer to install and run properly.
Your current Windows 10 version is older than 1607.
To use Adobe Photoshop, please update your Windows 10 operating system to at least version 1607 (build 14393) or a later version.
What you need to do:
Official Microsoft download link:
Download Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607)
Note:
Need help?
Visit Adobe’s system requirements page:
Adobe Photoshop system requirements
Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard for digital imaging, but its modern features require a modern foundation. If you are seeing a prompt stating that Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607 or later, it means your operating system is out of date and cannot support the application's core architecture. This guide explains why this update is necessary and how to get your system compatible.
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607, Build 14393) was a landmark release that introduced critical APIs and performance enhancements. Adobe leveraged these updates to improve memory management, GPU acceleration, and brush engine fluidity. Without these specific system files, newer versions of Photoshop simply cannot launch or install.
To check your current version, press the Windows Key + R, type winver, and hit Enter. If your version is lower than 1607, you must update to regain access to your creative tools. How to Update Your System
The most secure way to resolve this error is through the official Microsoft update channels. While you may be looking for a direct "link" to a version 1607 installer, it is generally safer and more effective to update to the most recent version of Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click "Check for updates." This will automatically bring your PC to the latest stable version, which is far beyond the 1607 requirement.
Windows 10 Update Assistant: If your built-in updater is stuck, visit the official Microsoft software download page. Click "Update Now" to download the Update Assistant tool. This tool bypasses many common update errors and forces the OS to the latest version.
Media Creation Tool: For a clean installation or a manual upgrade, use the Media Creation Tool found on the same Microsoft page. This allows you to create a bootable USB or download an ISO file containing the latest Windows 10 build.
Using an outdated OS like version 1607 in the current year is not recommended for security reasons. Microsoft has long since ended support for that specific build, meaning it lacks vital security patches against modern malware. By updating to the latest version of Windows, you ensure that Photoshop runs with maximum stability and that your hardware remains protected.
Once your Windows version is updated, restart your computer and relaunch the Adobe Creative Cloud desktop app. You should now be able to install or update Photoshop without the version error appearing. Keeping both your OS and your Adobe suite synchronized ensures the best performance for high-resolution editing and complex design workflows.
This error typically appears when you are trying to install or run a version of Adobe Photoshop (starting with CC 2018 v19.1) that requires a specific minimum security and feature baseline from Windows.
While version 1607 (Anniversary Update) is the absolute minimum for older CC versions, modern Photoshop releases (2024–2025) now require Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11. 🛠️ Step 1: Check Your Current Version Before updating, confirm exactly what you are running: Press Windows Key + R. Type winver and hit Enter. What you need to do:
Look for the Version number (e.g., 1507, 1511). If it is lower than 1607, you must update to proceed. 🚀 Step 2: How to Update to Version 1607 (or Later)
Since version 1607 is quite old (released in 2016), your Windows Update might not find it automatically if you have been offline or have a corrupted update cache. Option A: Standard Windows Update (Recommended) Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for updates.
If "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607" (or a newer version like 22H2) appears, click Download and install. Option B: Use the Windows Update Assistant
If the standard update fails, use the official Microsoft tool to force the upgrade:
The error message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary update (version 1607) or later"
typically appears when you try to run Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1) or newer on an outdated build of Windows. To fix this, you must update your operating system to a version supported by both Microsoft and Adobe. How to Fix the Version Error Verify Your Current Version Windows Key + R
, and press Enter. If your version is lower than 1607 (e.g., 1507 or 1511), Photoshop will not launch. Use Windows Update Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update Check for updates Run the Update Assistant : If standard updates fail, download the Windows 10 Update Assistant from the official Microsoft website by clicking Update now Free Up Disk Space
: Ensure you have enough storage for the update to complete, as a lack of space can cause updates to fail silently. Adobe Photoshop System Requirements
Recent versions of Photoshop require significantly newer builds than 1607 for full feature support: Udemy Blog Photoshop 2024 (v25.x) : Requires Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 Photoshop CC 2019
: Is not supported on Windows 10 versions 1511 or 1607; it requires version 1809 or later. Photoshop CC 2018 (v19.1) : This specific version was the first to mandate the 1607 Anniversary Update as its absolute minimum requirement.
For the best experience and security, it is highly recommended to update to the latest available Windows 10 build (such as ) or upgrade to Windows 11 if your hardware supports it. Are you running a specific Enterprise
version of Windows that might be restricting your ability to update? Photoshop requires windows 10 (version 1607) or later.
Adobe Photoshop Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) or Later: What You Need to Know
Are you a Windows 10 user who relies on Adobe Photoshop for your creative projects? If so, you may have encountered a compatibility issue that's preventing you from running the latest version of Photoshop. As of 2016, Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later to function properly. In this blog post, we'll explore what this means for you and what you can do to ensure you're running the compatible version of Windows 10.
What's the issue?
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update, also known as version 1607, was released in August 2016. This update brought significant improvements to the operating system, including enhanced security features, new user interface elements, and performance enhancements. Adobe Photoshop, being a resource-intensive application, relies on these updates to ensure stability and compatibility.
If you're running an earlier version of Windows 10, you may have noticed that Photoshop crashes or refuses to launch. This is because Adobe has set a minimum system requirement for Photoshop to run on Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later.
Why is this requirement in place?
Adobe has implemented this requirement to ensure that Photoshop users have a stable and secure platform to work on. The Anniversary Update provides several key features that Photoshop relies on, including: Note: Newer versions of Photoshop (2020
What do I need to do?
If you're running an earlier version of Windows 10, you'll need to update to version 1607 or later to use Adobe Photoshop. Here's how:
Conclusion
If you're an Adobe Photoshop user on Windows 10, it's essential to ensure you're running the compatible version of the operating system. By updating to Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later, you'll be able to use Photoshop without compatibility issues. Remember to regularly check for updates to both Windows 10 and Adobe Photoshop to ensure you have the latest features and security patches.
Resources
By following these guidelines, you'll be able to enjoy a seamless and productive experience with Adobe Photoshop on Windows 10.
The error message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607 or later" typically appears when you try to install or run a modern version of Photoshop on an outdated build of Windows 10. Version 1607 (Anniversary Update) was released in 2016 and is the absolute minimum requirement for versions like Photoshop CC 2018. 🛠️ Step 1: Check Your Current Version
Before downloading anything, confirm exactly which version of Windows you are running. Press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard. Type winver and press Enter.
A window will pop up showing your Version (e.g., 1511, 1607, 22H2).
If your version number is lower than 1607, you must update to use Photoshop. 🚀 Step 2: How to Update Windows There are two primary ways to resolve this requirement: Option A: Use Windows Update (Recommended)
This is the safest way to get the latest stable version of Windows. Click the Start menu and select Settings (gear icon). Go to Update & Security > Windows Update. Click Check for updates.
Install all available feature updates until your version is at least 1909 or higher (current versions of Photoshop often require 22H2). Option B: Use the Windows Update Assistant
If the standard update tool isn't working, you can force the update manually. Visit the official Microsoft Download Windows 10 page.
Click the Update now button to download the Windows Update Assistant.
Run the tool and follow the prompts to upgrade your system to the latest compatible version. ⚠️ Important Compatibility Notes
Modern Photoshop versions (2024/2025) now require much higher versions than 1607. Most currently require Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11.
32-bit vs. 64-bit: Photoshop CC 2019 and later only support 64-bit versions of Windows. If you have a 32-bit OS, you cannot run newer Photoshop versions.
Hardware limits: If your PC is very old, it may not be able to handle the Anniversary Update or newer. In this case, you may need to install an older version of Photoshop (like CS6 or early CC versions) that supports your current OS. 🔍 Troubleshooting the Error
If you are already on a version higher than 1607 but still see the error: Photoshop 2020 how to install/update - Adobe Community 2020 before running the Adobe installer
The requirement for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) or later first became a critical standard for Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1) and subsequent releases
. This shift occurred because Adobe aligned its software support with Microsoft’s own lifecycle, which ended support for versions older than 1607. Core System Requirements
For versions of Photoshop (such as CC 2018) that require this specific Windows build, the following minimum specifications typically apply: Operating System
: Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) or later (64-bit version recommended). : Intel Core 2 or AMD Athlon 64; 2 GHz or faster. : Minimum 2 GB (8 GB highly recommended). Hard Disk Space
: 3.1 GB available for 64-bit installation; extra space needed during setup. Monitor Resolution
: 1024 x 768 (1280 x 800 recommended) with 16-bit color and 512 MB dedicated VRAM. : OpenGL 2.0-capable system. How to Resolve Version 1607 Errors
If you encounter an error stating "Photoshop requires Windows 10 (version 1607) or later," follow these steps: Check Your Version , and press Enter to see your current Windows build. Update Windows Windows Update Assistant to force an update to the latest supported version. Clean Installation
: If you already have a newer version (like 20H2) but the error persists, use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to remove old conflicting files before reinstalling. Official Requirements Photoshop System Requirements Microsoft Support Update to Windows 10 Version 1607 Troubleshooting Adobe Community Discussion on 1607 Errors troubleshooting steps
for a specific error message you are seeing during installation? Photoshop requires windows 10 (version 1607) or later.
If you are on Windows 10 N (European edition) or KN (Korean edition), you lack the Media Feature Pack. Photoshop needs certain codecs. Download the "Media Feature Pack for N versions of Windows 10 Version 1607" directly from Microsoft.
Older installers of Photoshop CC 2018/2019 check for a specific digital certificate that expired. Workaround: Set your system clock back to January 1, 2020 before running the Adobe installer, then change it back after install.
You do not need to scour torrent websites or questionable forums. Microsoft provides the official media for legacy updates through the Windows Software Download Dashboard (intended for developers and IT administrators).
Warning: Microsoft’s support for Version 1607 ended in April 2018 (for Home/Pro) and April 2019 (for Enterprise/LTSC). This means no security updates come with this version if you stop there. However, installing this version allows you to immediately run Windows Update to upgrade to a newer, supported version (e.g., 22H2) that also works with Photoshop.
Sometimes the Windows Update service gets stuck and refuses to offer the Anniversary Update automatically. You can manually force the update:
If you’ve ever tried to install a modern version of Adobe Photoshop on an older PC, you’ve likely hit a bizarre roadblock: “This requires Windows 10 version 1607 or later.”
At first glance, it looks like a typo or an arbitrary cutoff. But behind that specific number—1607, also known as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update—lies a fascinating story of software archaeology, hard dependency breaks, and a quiet revolution in how Windows handles graphics.
After installing 1607, open Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for updates.
This requirement generally applies to the following specific releases:
Note: Newer versions of Photoshop (2020, 2021, 2022, and beyond) require even newer versions of Windows 10 (typically version 1909 or later). If you are seeing this specific "1607" error, you are likely trying to install the CC 2018 or CC 2019 release.