balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

I want to upgrade to PSE 12, but I want to transition slowly from PSE 11, because I have so many programs like NIK and Topaz integrated in 11. My question is can I have both PSE 11 & 12 loaded in Windows 8? Has anyone had experience using two versions of PSE?

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Yes - PSE can run side by side with other versions of PSE

I run v9 and v11 for the same reasons as you,

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

Short answer, yes.

balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

Thanks so much Searcher and Wellhiem!

Ziza Loc: USA

Yes, each version of Elements is an independent one. I have five versions all installed on the same computer. Also, it may be wise to keep PSE11 installed as Adobe removed some features from PSE12 such as the Magic Extractor, the Lighting Filter, and Color Variations. If you want to do so, you can put the Lighting Effects filter and Color Variations back in PSE12 but you cannot do the same with the Magic Extractor. Adobe is transitioning to a 64-bit application; they couldn't make the Magic Extractor compatible with 64-bit operation systems. (PSE12 is a 64-bit application when installed on a Mac.)

It is very easy to transfer your Nik and Topaz plug-ins from PSE11 to PSE12. Locate the Plug-Ins folder in PSE11, copy all the necessary folders for these plug-ins, and paste them in the Plug-Ins folder in PSE12. This is how I did it and there were no problems.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements [your version number]\Plug-Ins

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

Yes, you can. But you will have trouble keeping both Organizers up to date and it will be double the work doing so. If you don't use the Organizer, or you settle on PSE 12's Organizer you should be fine.