Adobe Photoshop Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update -version 1607-
Disclaimer: This is risky. Only do this if you are 100% sure your OS is actually newer than 1607 but the installer is throwing a false positive.
| Requirement | Detail | |-------------|--------| | Minimum OS | Windows 10 version 1607 | | Build number | 14393+ | | Architecture | 64-bit only | | Photoshop versions affected | 2020 through 2025 | | Can you ignore? | No | | Fix | Update Windows 10 or upgrade to Windows 11 |
If you need, I can provide step‑by‑step instructions to update from an older Windows 10 version to 1607 or later – or help you find the last Photoshop version that works on your current build.
Before troubleshooting, confirm which version of Windows 10 you are currently running: Press the Windows Key + R. Type winver and press Enter. Check the "Version" number in the window that appears.
If it is lower than 1607 (e.g., 1507 or 1511), you must update Windows to run modern Photoshop versions.
If it is higher than 1607 (e.g., 1909, 21H2, 22H2) and you still get the error, proceed to the "Fixes for Modern Windows" section below. 2. How to Update Windows (If version is < 1607)
If your system is out of date, standard Windows Updates might fail. Use these official tools:
Windows Update Assistant: Download the Windows Update Assistant from Microsoft to force a manual upgrade to the latest stable version (currently 22H2). Disclaimer: This is risky
Free Up Disk Space: Updates often fail if there isn't enough room. Ensure you have at least 20–30 GB of free space for the installation to take effect. 3. Fixes for Version 1607+ (When error persists)
If you already have a newer version of Windows (like 21H1 or 22H2) but Photoshop still shows the error:
Run as Administrator: Right-click the Photoshop executable and select Run as Administrator.
Check Compatibility Mode: Right-click the Photoshop shortcut, go to Properties > Compatibility, and ensure "Run this program in compatibility mode for" is unchecked. Sometimes users accidentally set it to Windows 7 or 8, which triggers version errors.
Creative Cloud Cleaner: If a previous installation was corrupted, use the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to remove leftover files before a clean reinstall. Summary of System Requirements (Current Versions)
Modern versions of Photoshop (v25.x and later) have moved far beyond version 1607: Minimum Requirement Operating System Windows 10 64-bit (version 22H2) or later RAM 8 GB (16 GB recommended) Graphics Card GPU with DirectX 12 support and 1.5 GB VRAM
For a step-by-step walkthrough on how to fix this specific version error using the Windows Update Assistant: If you need, I can provide step‑by‑step instructions
This error occurs because modern versions of Adobe Photoshop (starting with CC 2018 v19.1) are only compatible with Windows 10 version 1607 (the Anniversary Update) or newer. If your system is running an older version like 1507 or 1511, you must update Windows to use the software. 1. Verify your current Windows version
Before updating, confirm which version you are currently running: Press Windows Key + R, type winver, and hit Enter.
A window will pop up showing your "Version" (e.g., 1511, 1607, 22H2). If your version is lower than 1607, follow the steps below. 2. Update Windows 10
The most direct way to resolve this is to update to the latest available version of Windows 10.
Via Windows Update: Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Using Update Assistant: If the standard update fails, download the Windows 10 Update Assistant from the official Microsoft Download page.
Media Creation Tool: For a more robust update, use the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to perform an "In-place Upgrade," which keeps your files but refreshes the OS to the newest version. 3. Alternative: Install an older version of Photoshop If you need
If you cannot update your operating system due to hardware limitations, you may be able to install an older, compatible version of Photoshop: How To Update Photoshop & Enable Auto Updates
Are you on Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC? Adobe does not officially support LTSC because it lacks the Microsoft Store and UWP app support.
If you are a creative professional or a hobbyist photographer, few error messages are as frustrating as the one that stops you dead in your tracks right before a deadline. Recently, many users attempting to install or launch modern versions of Adobe Photoshop (particularly the 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 releases) have been greeted with a specific, hard stop:
"Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update -version 1607- or later."
For users running older builds of Windows 10 or Windows 8.1, this error is a common roadblock. But what does this message actually mean? Why does Adobe require such a specific old update? And most importantly, how do you fix it?
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of the "Version 1607" requirement, from the technical reasons behind it to step-by-step solutions.