Adobe Photoshop Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update -version 1607- -

The dreaded message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update -version 1607-" is a simple translation of: "Your operating system's graphics engine is too old for this software."

While the error looks technical and scary, the fix is almost always straightforward: Update Windows. Check your build via winver, run the Windows 10 Update Assistant, or upgrade to Windows 11. Once you cross the 1607 threshold, the error disappears, and you unlock the full performance of the Mercury Graphics Engine.

Do not try to hack the installer to bypass this check. If you force the installation on older builds, Photoshop will crash immediately upon attempting to use the Move tool or a brush. Respect the system requirements—once you update, you will enjoy a faster, more stable, and crash-free Photoshop experience.

Meta Description: Stuck with the "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607)" error? Learn why this happens and the exact steps to fix it, including updating Windows, registry checks, and LTSC workarounds.

This error message appears because modern versions of Adobe Photoshop (specifically CC 2018 version 19.1 and later) require at least Windows 10 version 1607, also known as the Anniversary Update, to run. Adobe discontinued support for earlier versions, such as 1507 and 1511, to align with Microsoft’s own support lifecycle. Why This Happens

Technological Shift: Newer versions of Photoshop leverage system-level improvements found in version 1607 and higher, such as better high-density monitor support and updated graphics processor (GPU) handling. The dreaded message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10

Operating System Requirements: Current editions of Photoshop, like CC 2021 and beyond, often require even newer versions (e.g., version 21H2 or later) for full compatibility. How to Resolve the Error

If you are seeing this message, you generally have two main paths: 1. Update Your Operating System Adobe Photoshop | Specs, reviews and EoL info - InvGate

Here’s a complete breakdown of the Adobe Photoshop requirement for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607 or later) — what it means, why it exists, and what you need to know.

| Photoshop Version | Minimum Windows version | |------------------|--------------------------| | Photoshop 2025 (v26.x) | Windows 10 22H2 (latest) – but still requires 1607+ base | | Photoshop 2024 (v25.x) | Windows 10 1607+ | | Photoshop 2023 (v24.x) | Windows 10 1607+ | | Photoshop 2022 (v23.x) | Windows 10 1607+ | | Photoshop 2021 (v22.x) | Windows 10 1607+ | | Photoshop 2020 (v21.x) | Windows 10 1607+ | | Photoshop CC 2019 (v20.x) | Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 (any) | | Photoshop CC 2018 and older | Works on older Windows |

So any modern Photoshop release (2020–2025) needs 1607. Meta Description: Stuck with the "Adobe Photoshop requires

Yes – Windows 11 includes all requirements of Windows 10 1607+.
Photoshop runs without issue on Windows 11 (version 21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2).

Q: I have Windows 10 Version 21H2, why am I seeing the 1607 error? A: Your Registry is corrupt. Run sfc /scannow in Command Prompt (Admin). If that fails, your Windows is missing the "Universal C Runtime" (UCRT). Download the KB2999226 update manually from Microsoft.

Q: Does this error occur on Windows 7? A: No. Modern Photoshop simply refuses to install on Windows 7 entirely. The "Version 1607" error specifically implies you are on Windows 10, just an old version of it.

Q: Is Version 1607 still safe to use in 2026? A: No. Microsoft stopped supporting 1607 in April 2018 for consumer editions (and 2021 for LTSB). Running 1607 today exposes you to hundreds of unpatched vulnerabilities. You should update to 22H2 or Windows 11 immediately.

Before you panic and reformat your hard drive, work through these solutions in order. | Photoshop Version | Minimum Windows version |

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.