Adobe Windows 7 FAQ

Adobe has posted an FAQ discussing Creative Suite support for Microsoft Windows 7. For more detailed technical info, see the technote on “Installing and using Windows 7 with Adobe applications.”
Adobe’s support policy for Windows 7 is the same as it is for Mac OS X Snow Leopard: test and focus on the currently shipping versions of software, while also performing some testing on older versions. Hopefully the wording of this FAQ is clearer than the Snow Leopard version was initially.

46 thoughts on “Adobe Windows 7 FAQ

  1. I don’t know if you’ve addressed this in CS5, but my No #1 Windows 7/Vista feature for Adobe is this:
    Implement the native open/save dialog boxes.
    This may not be as sexy as some new editing tool, but it would save me time and irritation on a DAILY basis. I shouldn’t have to dig through a directory structure to get to my files, when Windows has a nice shortcut setup built into it’s common dialog. Like the Mac. Where you guys support it.
    Please Adobe, fix this. It’s the most irritating thing about CS on Windows.

  2. Actually, two issues on Windows.
    When you turn off all the tabbing features in CS, dragging images into photoshop STILL opens them in a tab.
    I was under the impression you said this could be completely turned off? Is that a bug?
    Either way, super annoying. Please fix.
    [Sorry, but it’s not something we’re able to change in CS4. In the future, turning off the “open in tabs” pref will apply to dragging and dropping into PS, whereas in CS4 it applies only to files run through the Open path. –J.]

  3. The FAQ says, “Adobe Creative Suite 4 and Creative Suite 3 solutions were included in our testing efforts.”
    Which begs the question: Is there a similar FAQ for the CS3 family? I can’t seem to find it.

  4. Windows 7 is not even listed in the System Requirements. It’s not like Adobe didn’t know it was coming. How come I need to come to your site to find things that I should really find (easily) on the Adobe site.

  5. The trick to keeping files from opening in a tab is to drag files you are opening to the title bar, not to the canvas area.
    [Ah, good tip–thanks. –J.]

  6. Yes, I’m aware of this. I just forget to use this workaround often enough to get irritated every time it happens. It’s a bit depressing to know I’ll need to shell out $500 for CS5 to get this bug fixed.
    Anyway, sorry to rain on the Win7 parade with a couple complaints, but how often do you get to annoy an actual Photoshop PM? (and even stay vaguely on topic!) 🙂

  7. To answer my own question: The first FAQ linked above is targeted at and titled for the “Creative Suite 4 Family”, but the content is taken straight from the tech note and applies to both CS3 and CS4.

  8. Just got Windows 7 yesterday. Fresh install for both Photoshop,Bridge,and Acrobat.
    Btw,will this new OS make it possible for Photoshop icons to display as thumbnails in Windows Explorer? I’m using an old psicon.dll to do this,but I wish Adobe would be able to shake hands with Microsoft and get it done.
    [Yeah, that would be great. Apple has been able to add support for PSDs in Quick Look without relying on Adobe, and MSFT has the PSD format documentation. That’s not to say we shouldn’t step up, too. We just haven’t been able to find time yet. –J.]
    As always,I appreciate your being out here.
    [Thanks; that’s always nice to hear. –J.]

  9. Hi,
    I have an issue with w7, CS3 appears to search for printer drivers ever time it opens a file. It can take up to 3 minutes per file. When I delete the printer drivers the files open instantly. Is there an update to fix this problem.

  10. Photoshop isn’t searching for printer drivers — Photoshop is just asking the OS for the name of the default printer. The printer driver itself goes off and wastes that time to answer a bloody simple request. This seems to be specific to certain drivers, usually when dealing with remote printers. We’re still working with Microsoft to find a way around that problem (which printer vendors don’t seem to be able to fix). This happens on XP and Vista, with certain drivers.

  11. Chris – please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe there’s a workaround available (although it’s not ideal).
    So long as your default printer is set to a local printer, the problem doesn’t occur. Obviously that’s not ideal for people who don’t want to have to change the output printer all the time when doing other printing, but it may be workable in some situations.

  12. Phil – correct, that is the workaround. Or set the default to something like “Print to PDF” that won’t end up searching the network.

  13. When/how can we use the native file open & save dialog?
    Can you shed any light on why these programs are using what appears to be a semi-custom file open/save dialog? It looks like other applications that are not aware of Windows 7 are still showing the native dialog (and all of my shortcuts, more importantly!)

  14. Hi, is there any way to print to the pdf printer under Windows 7 Pro 64 bit? Everytime I try it causes an error in the printer queue. It worked fine under Vista Home Premium, admittedly I was using 32 bit then, but surely it can’t be that hard to sort??

  15. Hi, is there any way to print to the pdf printer under Windows 7 Pro 64 bit? Everytime I try it causes an error in the printer queue. It worked fine under Vista Home Premium, admittedly I was using 32 bit then, but surely it can’t be that hard to sort??

  16. Ok, I give in. I’ve just downloaded the latest Acrobat Pro 8 update through the program and it appears to have done the trick! Thanks anyway and happy Thanksgiving.
    Ed

  17. I have upgraded my whole office to Windows 7 for the ease of networking and shareing. CS4 Extended won’t install in any computer, and I have a fortune in it!!!!! Windows 7 required it uninstalled before upgrade!!! Without Adobe Photo shop I can’t do business!!!!!
    Adobe has no help and is not fixing the problem. anyone have any ideas how to install in 7, or do i file a class action suit against Adobe? Help!!!!!!

  18. CS4 installs and runs without issue on Windows 7 (I ran it during Win 7 beta and now in full release).
    What exact errors are you seeing?
    No one can help you until you provide specific details of the problem and threatening to file a class action suit just makes you look like a fool. So, explain some details and I bet you can be helped.

  19. Setting up a new laptop using Windows 7. Installed CS4 Design Premium. Adobe Updater returns an error: “The update server is not responding, which means it might be offline at the moment, or the Internet or firewall settings may be incorrect. Please try again later.” Other laptop (using XP) finds the server without error. Both PCs use the same wi-fi network. Other apps on the “7” laptop find the internet. Any ideas?

  20. CS Premium [v.1] and Windows 7
    Users might be interested to hear that I appear successfully to have re-installed CS1 on my new Windows 7 machine. I was extremely careful about settings and the whole procedure (installing individual programs rather than the Suite), but the individual programs seem to work just fine (in XP compatibility mode) including MenuMachine for GoLive.
    FWIW – laplink PCmover will NOT work with Adobe software – one has to re-install from the original CDs.

  21. Hi there
    I have CS2 Design Premium full version and CS4 Design STandard upgrade version on my Windows XP PC. I have a copy of Windows 7 and would like to upgrade, but I am worried about compatability – i.e. I HAVE to install CS2 before I install CS4, because CS4 is an upgrade, but can’t seem to find any mention of whether this will cause any problems at all?
    I don’t actually need to use the CS2 programs, just have CS2 on my machine so I can install the upgrade version CS4.
    Any ideas?? Thanks all!

  22. I have a new install of Windows 7 64 bit, and a new install of Photoshop CS4 and the thumbnails are missing. I need a workaround as this is the most irritating change I’ve even seen. I have a VERY expensive piece of software that’s worse than what I upgraded from.
    [We retired the Windows PSD shell extension several versions ago. Maybe this extension will help.

  23. Is the save dialog going to be fixed in CS5? I use Windows 7 64-bit and when I ctrl+shift+s to save a jpg, I can’t stand having to navigate through the folders. I know I can use batch processing but why can’t you allow PS to just recall the last directory I saved to. And on top of that, the ability to have favorited folders or use the Windows 7 based favorites side bar is required. It is so much faster and easier.

  24. It’s not perfect, but “Recent Places” and “Libraries” come up in the dialog so you shouldn’t have to navigate too far to find the folder you want.

  25. Hi Maybe you can help me. I am new to Adobe, just purchased Creative Suite CS4. Tried installing on a Sony Windows 7 notebook, and it just doesnt install. Are there any settings that may be preventing the software from installing?

  26. Hi, we have a problem with CS4 thumbnails in windows 7(64 bit) explorer. The thumbnails are missing. How can I get them back?

  27. I have new computer Win7 and am trying to install PSCS4 ERROR message Installation error-Installation of components has failed:PS CS4 64bit and CS4-to continue installing remaining options click continue-to cancel click QUIT-” I have been on hold for over 1 hour for tech support at Adobe. HELP Please

  28. I want to thank you for running this blog and answering so many questions. Your blog comes up first for almost any adobe problems and work around. I have saved my money for many months now, waiting to get CS5 when it is released. I am going from CS2 to CS5. In all this time of waiting and researching, it seems that the biggest issue that people have with CS4 now is compatibility with Windows 7. I fully understand that Microsuck is the one that needs to be chastised for this. My father is a software programmer and every other week a customer brings up a new bug with the software that he made that only rears its head on certain versions of windows 7 and even then, sometimes only in certain situations on certain computers and printers. Its a huge friggen mess and I for one blame Microsuck and not Adobe. I don’t need Microsuck to do jobs for people and make money in Graphic Design, what I need is Adobe (this is where you expose part of a butt cheek and I gladly kiss it.).
    All that said, would it be best for me to just get a new Apple computer for CS5, or are there a ton of problems there as well? Which is better to work with, Adobe on an Apple computer, or Adobe on a PC?
    Thanks

  29. Recently I install Adobe CS3 std in a New PC which have Windows 7 64bit, I found that it would ask the file “adobepdf.dll” while installation, I browse it in “amd??” folder instead the default “i386” folder, but the coming out adobe printer could not created a vaild port “my document\*.pdf” and became “lpt1:” , I tried it five times but error still. Does anyone having idea about it?

  30. I have upgraded my whole office to Windows 7 for the ease of networking and shareing. CS4 Extended won’t install in any computer, and I have a fortune in it!!!!! Windows 7 required it uninstalled before upgrade!!! Without Adobe Photo shop I can’t do business!!!!!

  31. CS4 will not install on a new PC running a clean Windows 7-64 no help from adobe (who does not seem to care). “Plug the dam hole!”

  32. I had to purchase a new pc due to a virus. I’m running Windows 7 Home Premium. I have installed Photoshop CS3 Extended but the program will not open. Absolutely no help from Adobe except to tell me to post my problem on this forum. Adobe apparently accepts no responsibility when a customer has a problem nor do they work on a solution. Has ANYONE been successful with a successful install of CS3 on Windows 7? All help and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

    1. I am having the exact same problem! Someone please post how to fix it? I don’t have all day to sit on the phone.

  33. Photoshop CS4 will not use paper profiles for Epson 3800. Recently changed to WIndows 7 64 bit. Reloaded Epson Software and Photoshop to no result. Profiles are either not being used or they are way off. I been doing this a long time and something isn’t right. Will be gratful for any assistance. Thanks!

  34. i have w7 32bit and adobe cs3 with acrobat 8.
    i don’t see any pdf printer.
    Why???
    how can i solve this problem??
    thank you..

  35. I wish saving and opening docs in PS and illustrator was the same as the flash saving/opening interface. Adobe/Windows can do it but they’re just being s**** about it. So annoyed, waste so much time with it.

  36. Just installed Photoshop 7 on my Pc that is running Windows 7 64 bit. My scratch drive, directly connected to my pc has 1.13 TB of free space on it, 0% defragmentation. I can not save any photoshop file to my drive. It does not make any difference as to what type of file I try to save my work as. I get the message from Photoshop that it can’t save my file, becasue my disk is full. I see alot of users having problems with Adobe products and their not being able to save their work files. Is Adobe addressing this problem?

  37. I’ve searched the adobe site but haven’t been able to find my answer. I am working with Photoshop 7. Until recently I have been able to print photos without any trouble. I had to replace my printer. I know have a HP Photosmart premium c309a. When pictures print the left side of the image is cut off and there is a 1/2 inch margin on the right. I took the printer back to the store and they say it is the settings in Photoshop that affect this. I can not find any margin settings in photoshop. I also can’t find any margin settings for the printer. I am using windows 7 not that it should matter. Any ideas?

  38. I know this is probably not the best place to post this but I am having a problem when converting .doc files into PDF. When I create them the fonts are really jagged and not smooth at all. I have searched everywhere for a solution and cannot sort this out. I am using the save as function from Word and choosing PDF. Then the outputted file displays the font with really rough edges, any ideas?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *