LightRoom Replacement: I have LightRoom 6 and my machine crashed, so I went to reinstall it. No big deal it is a licensed registered version. I downloaded the same version from Adobe's...

kpassaur Loc: Valrico FL

I have LightRoom 6 and my machine crashed, so I went to reinstall it. No big deal it is a licensed registered version. I downloaded the same version from Adobe's website, I entered the key that was stored on their website and it said it was invalid. After wasting an hour on chat with them as it turns out when you purchase LightRoom, although it does not expire you can't reinstall it after a year. Naturally it is because they want to sell you their Cloud Version. As far as I am concerned this is the lowest of low. If they don't want to support it, it is one thing. But to not let you use it is just plain wrong. I don't know what to go with but it will not be an Adobe product.

Rab-Eye Loc: Indiana

That really is nonsense.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

kpassaur wrote:

I have LightRoom 6 and my machine crashed, so I we... (show quote)

Apparently, that's a new rule - to force you to their Cloud. I've reinstalled LR and PS after a year on new computers, but "The Times They are a Changin'."

Lots of good choices, for good prices. Look at Affinity.

Affinity
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/software-review-affinity-photo-1-5-2
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/affinity-photo-1.5,review-4257.htmlOthers

Others
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/best-lightroom-alternatives
http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-choosing-the-right-post-production-software/
https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/photo-editing
https://www.reviews.com/photo-editing-software/
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-photo-editing-software,review-1972.html
http://www.redmondpie.com/best-adobe-photoshop-alternatives-for-windows-and-mac-list Affinity
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/affinity-photo-software-review-has-photoshop-met-its-match#d1c5lY5EQ03QoLjh.97
http://www.diyphotography.net/affinity-photo-can-give-adobe-run-money/

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Although I wasn't on the chat and I own v5 rather than v6, but this doesn't sound correct. I've installed the software repeatedly since purchasing in 2013. But, not in 2018 since all Adobe's changes. Are you sure you used the right key? Again, your story as related, just doesn't sound right ... Are you sure you downloaded the correct install file? You own the software forever and should be able to install and identify the license whenever you want. Did you ask to talk to someone different?

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

You are not being forced into the cloud. I have Lightroom Classic and never use the cloud. Used the cloud to download and they use it to check periodically to be sure I have paid my whopping monthly rental fee of $9.99.(Which also includes Photoshop CC and Bridge as well.) Classic CC does not use the cloud to operate. Sounds like you downloaded Lightroom CC which is designed for mobile phones, and it does use the cloud. You make the choice. In my opinion Lightroom is the bes,t and it is foolish to get another program with another learning curve.

gainesn Loc: Chickamauga, GA

Take a look at On1 Raw 2018. It's almost a seamless transition. You lose little and gain so pretty useful features.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I know it's like closing the barn door after all the horses got out but this is what I suggest you do from now on. Download the programs and save them to an external drive. That way if you have to baseline your computer you can always reinstall the software that you've downloaded. I also create a Word or Notepad document with the serial number that is needed to re-register the app and save that in the same folder with the app.

As someone else pointed out, you may have downloaded the wrong Lightroom app. You can't use and register any of the CC apps and expect them to work with your registration number. You'll have to look for the LR6 or LR5 boxed version and download that or perhaps someone with a real boxed version will sell it to you cheap if they have moved to the CC version.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

gainesn wrote:

Take a look at On1 Raw 2018. It's almost a seamless transition. You lose little and gain so pretty useful features.

Another vote for On1 Raw 2018!

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

kpassaur wrote:

I have LightRoom 6 and my machine crashed, so I we... (show quote)

Nonsense, you CAN reinstall it, because I just did. I always download and save the installation files of any online software I buy. Many people make the mistake of not saving the initial installation files and suffer the consequences later. I upgraded my copy the day it became available in April 2015, and just reinstalled it this past week on a different drive on my computer.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

kpassaur wrote:

I have LightRoom 6 and my machine crashed, so I we... (show quote)

Hmmm, sounds like something is missing here.... once you buy a perpetual licensed product, you have a PERPETUAL license to use it...I suspect that somewhere you grabbed a different version of the software to download and are unable to use your license key, or you mistyped the key.

To download a copy of Lightroom stand alone/perpetual use this link to select your version/OS....

https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom/kb/lightroom-downloads.html

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

kpassaur wrote:

As far as I am concerned this is the lowest of low. If they don't want to support it, it is one thing. But to not let you use it is just plain wrong. I don't know what to go with but it will not be an Adobe product.

What, honestly, do consumers expect? That a for profit Corporation will not modify policies to foster continuing sales of their flagship product? Or, out of altruism, they will continue to support out of date software? There are alternatives to Lightroom, but sooner or later, they too will adopt a subscription model. Kinda like Gilette; give 'em the handles, and they will buy blades forever.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

mwsilvers wrote:

Nonsense, you CAN reinstall it, because I just did. I always download and save the installation files of any online software I buy. Many people make the mistake of not saving the initial installation files and suffer the consequences later. I upgraded my copy the day it became available in April 2015, and just reinstalled it this past week on a different drive on my computer.

Always a good idea to keep backup/reinstall copies of most everything.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

jeep_daddy wrote:

I know it's like closing the barn door after all the horses got out but this is what I suggest you do from now on. Download the programs and save them to an external drive.

Do you mean install it on an external? That sounds iffy. I save all my downloaded programs, but I still have to install them on new computers, and I have to use the key numbers. If any company decides that it doesn't want you to install it, then you're stuck.

I have a good automotive program (Automotive Wolf), but every time I want to install it on a new computer, I have to email the company and get a new key. When the guy dies, or the company goes out of business, I'll have to buy something new.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

The OP downloaded LR from the website not from a purchased DVD......If Adobe is not supporting 'that download' then that is up to them.....you who have the DVD can re-install as often as you like but it will not help the OP.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

G Brown wrote:

The OP downloaded LR from the website not from a purchased DVD......If Adobe is not supporting 'that download' then that is up to them.....you who have the DVD can re-install as often as you like but it will not help the OP.

I don't have a DVD, I have the original downloaded file from when I purchased it, and had no problem reinstalling.