Photoshop 5 compatibility

Photoshop 5, which I have used on XP and Vista, will not install under Windows 7 Home.

However, I have found that if I drag it over from the Vista hard drive to the new computer's Program Files (x86), I can launch it after selecting Vista emulation from the exe file.

This is not a permanent fix, though. I have to go through the same procedure of selecting Vista emulation each time I want to use the program.

Is there a means of launching the program in a simpler fashion?

Thanks for that.

No, I have the 64 bit version, and I have previously read the Microsoft guidance that you reference.

It won't install from CD in any mode.

As I mentioned, it will function in Vista compatibility mode if I drag the program folder from the old drive, then run the exe file in Vista mode.

My problem is that I have to keep going laboriously through the same procedure each time, ie, selecting the exe file and then specifying Vista mode.

What I would much prefer to do, naturally, is simply to run the program without all the messing about.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

I think Photoshop 5 uses a 16-bit installer program.

16-bit installers are generally incompatible with 64-bit Windows.

Barring some type of heroic measure, I think you have to either upgrade to a later version of Photoshop or change to 32-bit Windows 7---which has no problems with 16-bit installers.

I used to have Photoshop 4 and ran into the same problem.

If your Google-fu is up to snuff, you can probably locate software that supposedly (I say SUPPOSEDLY) will allow you to work around the problem. I examined it and decided it was too complex and instead moved to Photoshop CS 3. I have no idea if that software actually works well.

Point taken.

I actually have CS6 installed and working fine, but from a user point of view, I feel it's one of those programs that has simply reached the point of development at which it's gone over the top. It's no longer an intuitive, functional tool, but an over-complex curiosity, whereas I found Photoshop 5 to be ideal for my needs.

The frustrating point about this is that Photoshop 5 is there. It works. I can use it. But I have to go through such a pointless rigmarole to access it.

peaksoft said:

Point taken.

I actually have CS6 installed and working fine, but from a user point of view, I feel it's one of those programs that has simply reached the point of development at which it's gone over the top. It's no longer an intuitive, functional tool, but an over-complex curiosity, whereas I found Photoshop 5 to be ideal for my needs.

I agree entirely. I was perfectly happy with Photoshop 4. I have no use at all for the extra features in CS3---but ultimately I had to choose between staying with 32-bit Windows or moving on to 64-bit even though that forced me to upgrade Photoshop as well.