Install Photoshop 6 or 7 on Windows 7

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If you've been trying to install your old copy of Photoshop on Windows 7, you may be banging your head against your desk trying to get it to work. The problem exists on the most basic level of the operating system, but there are some workarounds. Follow this guide to get your software running.

Steps

The Problem

  1. Understand why it won’t install. Adobe Photoshop 6 and 7 use 16-bit installation programs. These programs have no issues running in 32-bit installations of Windows 7, but they cannot run in 64-bit installations of Windows 7.
  2. Find your version of Windows. If you have a 64-bit installation of Windows, you will have to use workarounds to be able to install Photoshop. Take a look at our guide to determine which version of Windows 7 you are running.

Using a Virtual Machine

  1. Set up a virtual machine. A virtual machine is an emulated computer within your computer. In other words, your computer will mimic a Windows XP computer through a software program. This virtual machine is treated as its own separate computer.
    • If you have Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, or Enterprise, you can download the Windows XP Mode and the Windows Virtual PC software. If you are not running these editions of Windows 7, you’ll need to download a third-party virtual machine.
    • Download the Windows XP Mode software from Microsoft’s website. You will need to validate that you own a copy of Windows 7.
    • Select the edition of Windows XP you’d like to install. Home or Professional will both work for Adobe Photoshop 6. Run the program when it is finished downloading.
    • Download Windows Virtual PC software from Microsoft’s website. You will need to validate that you own a copy of Windows 7.
    • You will have to choose to get the x64 or the x86 version of the Virtual PC. Install the x64 version, since you are running a 64-bit installation of Windows.
    • You will be required to install a Windows Update during the Virtual PC installation process.
    • If you are using a third-party virtual machine, you will need to install your own copy of Windows XP on the virtual machine. Refer to our guide on Installing XP for detailed instructions on how to perform the install.
  2. Run the Virtual PC for the first time. Select the Windows Virtual PC folder in your Start menu, and then select Windows XP Mode from the folder that opens. You will be asked to accept the license agreement, and then Windows XP will begin installing on your Virtual PC. After the installation is complete, a window will open on your desktop showing your Windows XP desktop.
    • You should install an antivirus program on your virtual Windows XP, even if you already have an antivirus program installed.
  3. Install Photoshop. Once virtual Windows XP is installed, you can install your copy of Photoshop. Insert the CD or download the install file using the browser in your virtual Windows XP. Run the installation program just like you would if you were installing regularly. Once the installation is complete, you can close Windows XP Mode.
  4. Run the program. To run Photoshop, click your Start button. Select Windows Virtual PC. You will now see a folder labeled Windows XP Mode Applications. Click the folder to expand it, and select Photoshop from the list.

Changing the Installation File

  1. Download a packaging software. You will be changing the setup file from a 16-bit installer to a 32-bit installer. In order to do this, you will need a packaging software such as WinInstall LE (freeware). In order to create the setup file, you will need to install Photoshop and WinInstall LE on a machine that is compatible.
    • You MUST perform these steps on a compatible machine. You can either use a Virtual PC (as outlined above), or another computer that has a 32-bit version of Windows. Running on a clean install on a virtual machine is preferred because there are no conflicting programs.
  2. Open WinInstall. Start Discover mode, which has a magnifying glass icon in the toolbar. This will open the Discover Wizard. WinInstall will take a before and after snapshot of your system files when you perform an installation. It will take this information and create a new 32-bit installer that can work on 64-bit systems.
    • You will need to create a name for the new installer, as well as a path for the new installer. WinInstall will ask which drives you want to have scanned. You should indicate the hard drive that you are installing Photoshop on.
    • After configuring the Discovery mode, WinInstall will analyze your system. This may take a few moments.
  3. Install Photoshop. Once Discovery mode is running, start the installation of Photoshop. Install it as you would on your 64-bit machine, including all of the options you would pick. Wait for the installation to complete.
  4. Run Discover mode again. Once the installation is complete, run Discovery mode in WinInstall again. You will be given the option to run the After mode or start a new Discovery. Select After to create a new snapshot of your system. WinInstall will look at the Before and After, and build a new installation package.
  5. Copy the new installer. Move the new installer onto your 64-bit machine. Run the installer and install Photoshop as normal.

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