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Download Photoshop from Adobe, not a third-party installer site. Sign in at Adobe Home, open Apps, find Photoshop, and select Download. Adobe’s Creative Cloud desktop app then manages the installation. Before you start, check that your Windows 11 PC meets the requirements for the Photoshop version you plan to install.
Check your Windows 11 PC against Photoshop’s requirements
Requirements depend on the Photoshop release and processor platform. Adobe’s requirements page, updated September 9, 2026, lists the following for Photoshop 27.x and later on Intel/AMD Windows PCs. Check Adobe’s Photoshop desktop technical requirements for the version you intend to install, especially if your PC uses Windows ARM.
| Component | Minimum | Adobe recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Windows 11 23H2 or 24H2 | Keep Windows current |
| Processor | Multicore Intel or AMD processor; AVX2 and SSE 4.2 or higher | Not stated |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM | 16 GB or more |
| Graphics | DirectX 12, feature level 12_0 or later; 1.5 GB GPU memory; GPU newer than 7 years | DirectX 12; 4 GB GPU memory for 4K and higher displays |
| Display | 1280 × 800 at 100% scaling, or 1920 × 1080 at 150% scaling | 1920 × 1080 or higher |
| Storage | 10 GB available disk space | 100 GB available disk space; fast internal SSD for installation and a separate internal drive for scratch disks |
| Internet | Connection and registration for activation, subscription validation, and online services | Not stated |
Adobe advises keeping GPU drivers current. Its processor listing also includes WinARM, but the table above is specifically for Intel/AMD PCs; use the separate ARM requirements rather than assuming these figures apply to your device. Requirements may differ for other Photoshop releases.
Download Photoshop through Adobe
- Go to Adobe Home and sign in with the Adobe account associated with your Photoshop access.
- Open Apps, find Photoshop, and select Download.
- Follow the onscreen prompts. Adobe says the Creative Cloud desktop app installs automatically and manages Photoshop’s installation.
- When setup finishes, open Photoshop and sign in if prompted.
If Photoshop is missing from a school- or company-managed account, contact your administrator: access and app management may be controlled by the organization.
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Install Creative Cloud desktop separately if needed
If you need to install the desktop app first, use Adobe’s Creative Cloud download page. Download Creative_Cloud_Set-Up.exe, open the file, and follow the prompts. Adobe says the Creative Cloud desktop app installs in its default location; you cannot choose another folder or drive for that app’s installation.
Sign in and activate Photoshop
Photoshop requires an internet connection and registration for activation, membership validation, and online services. Adobe permits an individual to install Photoshop on multiple computers, but activation is limited to two machines per individual membership. See Adobe’s activation and installation guidance for details.
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Choose the appropriate Adobe access route
Adobe identifies a Photoshop single-app subscription and a Creative Cloud Photography plan that includes Lightroom. Current prices, trial eligibility, renewal and cancellation terms, and availability depend on what Adobe offers in your region; check Adobe’s plan page before subscribing. For school or company access, ask the administrator rather than purchasing an individual plan before confirming your organization’s arrangement.
Adobe provides installers for current Creative Cloud apps and previous major versions, but that does not guarantee access to every historical Photoshop release. Enterprise and teams users should contact their administrator; app management for those accounts is handled through Adobe Admin Console. See Adobe’s Creative Cloud app download availability information.
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