Frequently asked questions

What is Adobe Photoshop Elements 2026 and who is it for?

Photoshop Elements 2026 is smart, easy-to-use photo editing software designed for anyone who wants to have fun with their photos — no experience needed. Whether you're touching up snapshots or creating something totally new, it’s got you covered with:

• Effortless editing powered by AI and automation
• Step-by-step guidance to help you learn and create as you go
• Creative tools to design and share fun photo projects
• An Organizer to quickly import, tag, and find your photos

Learn more

What’s the difference between Photoshop Elements and Premiere Elements?

• Photoshop Elements makes photo editing simple — from quick fixes to advanced creations. Tap into the power of AI to easily enhance your photos and instantly generate all-new images, objects, and backgrounds. Add style with artistic effects, motion, and creative templates.
• Premiere Elements offers fast and easy video editing. Effortlessly trim and resize your videos and enhance them with effects, transitions, and motion titles. Add text to social clips and amplify the action with music and animations.
• Both apps share a common Organizer for easy access to all photos and videos.
• They’re sold separately or you can buy them together as a bundle.

How does Photoshop Elements differ from Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Lightroom?

• Photoshop Elements is designed for anyone who wants a simple, approachable way to organize, edit, create, and share their photos. With built-in AI and automated tools, it delivers impressive results right away — perfect for quick fixes or more advanced creations.
• Photoshop is the professional standard for creating compelling images, designs, and 3D artwork.
• Lightroom Classic addresses the workflow needs of professional and advanced amateur photographers on the desktop, enabling them to import, process, organize, and showcase large volumes of digital photographs.
• Lightroom is the cloud-based service that lets people easily edit, organize, store, and share their photos anywhere — on mobile devices, the web, or desktops.

What’s the difference between Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Express?

Photoshop Elements and Photoshop Express can both make photos look amazing. Each product is tailored to different types of photo editing in different situations. Deciding which photo editing software to use is all about the device you have, how extensive you want your edits to be, and what type of photographer you are.

• Photoshop Elements is designed for consumers who want an easy way to organize, edit, create, and share their photos. AI and automated options deliver great results to enjoy as is or use as a starting point for creative exploration. It can handle large, complex files that contain multiple layers and a lot of information. It has many more tools and features than Photoshop Express, so you can perform comprehensive transformations and improvements. Photoshop Express can enhance a photo, but Photoshop Elements can improve as well as completely transform it.
• Photoshop Express is a mobile app for iOS and Android and is available in various app stores. It works with your mobile device’s camera roll. The app is built for smartphone photography, and its editing tools are made for fast changes on your phone. It’s ideal for applying quick edits like filters and overlays and effects like text and light leaks. Users can change opacity and tonal coloring, as well as edit exposure, shadows, brightness, saturation, and more.

I use free photo editing software. Why should I consider Photoshop Elements 2026?

Most free photo editors offer a limited set of editing tools. Photoshop Elements is the leading consumer photo editing software because it provides every level of user everything they need to organize, edit, create, and share, including:

• AI and automated options that make it a breeze to fix, fine-tune, or turn any photo into your creative canvas
• The Organizer to import quickly, clean up clutter, and find photos and videos in a snap using Smart Tags, facial recognition, and more
• Quick Edit mode to make one-click fixes
• Guided Edits to grow your skills — just follow the steps to make basic tweaks, artistic creations, and everything in between
• Advanced Edit mode for complete photo transformations
• The ability to create eye-catching Photo Reels, slideshows, and collages to share on social media, plus access to thousands of free Adobe Express templates for social posts, videos, posters, and more.

Should I buy Photoshop Elements 2026 or the Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 2026 bundle?

Choose the Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 2026 bundle if you want to edit both photos and videos. The bundle gives you everything in Photoshop Elements plus Premiere Elements, which adds intuitive video editing tools — like trimming, transitions, motion titles, and music — along with AI features for automating edits and enhancing clips. Use the common Organizer for easy access to all your photos and videos. It’s a great value if you work with both media types or want the flexibility to grow your creative skills. Learn more

Where can I learn more about new features?

See What’s New or the full list of Features.

Where can I find the serial number to install Photoshop Elements?

We no longer use serial numbers. Follow the instructions below to redeem and download the product:

• Boxed product — Please follow the redemption instructions in the box to get access to the product download.
• Electronic Software Download (ESD) — During your online purchase you’ll receive a redemption code. Follow the redemption process to get access to the product download.
• Amazon customers — If you purchased from Amazon, get instructions for retrieving your redemption code and follow the instructions above.

Can I get the product on a DVD?

We no longer offer DVDs.

Can I install Photoshop Elements on more than one computer?

You can install your product on up to two computers that aren’t being used simultaneously. If you want to move your product to a new computer, simply choose Help > Sign Out in the product on the computer that has the active license. That will deactivate it. Then you can install the product on your new computer.

NOTE: You must be online while deactivating the product.

What are the minimum system requirements to run Photoshop Elements 2026?

See system requirements for more information.

Does Photoshop Elements 2026 support macOS and Windows 32-bit operating systems?

No. Microsoft and Apple stopped supporting 32-bit systems before Photoshop Elements 2026 was released, so the product can only be installed on 64-bit systems.

Will Photoshop Elements work on Apple M1, M2, and M3 computers?

You can install Photoshop Elements 2026 on computers powered by the Apple M1, M2, or M3 chips.

Do I need to be online to use Photoshop Elements?

You’ll need to be online to do the following:

• Install the software (so your license can be validated and activated).
• Download specific feature content (but once you download, you’re free to use the software offline).
• Deactivate the software to use it on another computer.

Why do I need to sign in to use Photoshop Elements?

Signing in with an Adobe ID (your email address) activates your software, connecting it to Adobe’s servers via the internet and giving you a secure and personalized experience. Activation validates your software license, associates it with your computer, and helps protect your computer from malicious code by verifying that you have genuine Adobe software.

What are generative credits?

Generative credits allow you to use features powered by Adobe Firefly generative AI in your Adobe apps.

What’s the purpose of generative credits?

Features powered by generative AI are generally more computationally expensive than traditional features. Generative credits provide a way to reflect the additional cost and value of those features and give you a way to keep track of how you’ve been using them.

Which features in Photoshop Elements 2026 use generative credits?

The Generate Image and Insert Object features use generative credits. With Generate Image, you can create anything from a basic background to a detailed image by typing a description of what you want to see. With Insert Object, you can brush over an area of a photo and then type a description of an object to make it appear.

How do I get generative credits?

Photoshop Elements 2026 and the Photoshop Elements & Premiere Elements 2026 bundle come with 25 generative credits per month. Each generative AI action in Photoshop Elements 2026 consumes 1 credit. If you need more credits, you can purchase an Adobe Firefly plan.

Can I edit raw images in Photoshop Elements?

Photoshop Elements can open raw files from supported cameras. The supported camera list depends on the version of Adobe Camera Raw installed on your system. Get more details.

• Photoshop Elements does not save your changes to the original raw file. In other words, your edits are nondestructive.
• After processing the raw image file using the features of the Camera Raw dialog box, you can choose to open the file in Photoshop Elements.
• For Photoshop Elements 2026, the Adobe Camera Raw plugin is no longer part of the installer, but it can be downloaded and installed from within the product. Go to the Help menu to do a one-time download.

If I run into issues, what type of support can I expect?

If you’re missing a redemption code, you’ll need to contact the store or site where you purchased the product. If you need help with installation, activation, or any other software issues, you can contact Adobe Customer Care.

How does the 3-year term license work?

The license enables you to use Photoshop Elements for a full 3-year term. It’s a one-time purchase with no additional fees. The license is non-renewing — it expires 3 years after redemption. When your 3-year term license expires, Photoshop Elements will no longer be accessible. However, you’ll still be able to access your media catalog in the Elements Organizer indefinitely.

What will happen to the Elements Organizer after the 3-year term license expires?

When your 3-year term license expires, the Photoshop Elements Editor will no longer be accessible. However, you will still have ongoing access to your media catalog in the Elements Organizer.

How do I redeem the software?

Follow the redemption process to redeem the software and get access to the product download.

Can I upgrade to a new version during my 3-year term?

Yes, you can upgrade to the latest version at any time. Purchasing a new version will start a new 3-year term. Customers who already own a previous version of Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, or the Elements bundle can take advantage of special upgrade pricing. Upgrade now.

I have an older version of Photoshop Elements. How can I access my serial number if I need it?

If you need to install your older version on a new computer, you can access your serial number via the account page. Just sign in with your Adobe ID.

I own an older version of Photoshop Elements. Am I eligible for upgrade pricing?

Yes. Customers who already own a previous version of Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, or the Elements bundle can take advantage of special upgrade pricing. Upgrade now.

Where can I find out about volume licensing for Photoshop Elements 2026?

For licensing questions, visit Adobe Volume Licensing or contact your local Adobe sales representative.

How can I get started using Photoshop Elements 2026?

The home screen offers direct links to tutorials and fun things to try with your photos. You can check out our Learn page to find inspiring ideas and tips and tricks. You can also visit our Support page for tutorials, Help content, and links to resources offering comprehensive product support from Adobe and our knowledgeable community.