Lightroom classic: Been using this for 8 years which I paid for many years ago.LOVE IT but my computer crashed which I lost the program. Now Adobe wants me to pay for a monthly...

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

Been using this for 8 years which I paid for many years ago.LOVE IT but my computer crashed which I lost the program. Now Adobe wants me to pay for a monthly Lightroom program. Are there any programs you can recommend that is similar at no cost or 1 time cost? I use Nikon D500. Thanks to all for your suggests>

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What version of LR were you using? Do you know your serial number? Your s/n might still be available in your Adobe.com user profile under the list of purchased products. What format of computer OS?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

The good news is that if you love an ancient version, the newest one will be even more lovable. There are many new tools. I doubt your old version had Dehaze and I couldn't get along without it. The very new masking system is very good.

If all you want to do is a catalog system like the Library module, Photoshop Elements comes with Organizer. Photoshop Elements is also pretty good and image improvement. One time cost of $00 or less if there is a sale going on.

therwol Loc: USA

CHG_CANON wrote:

What version of LR were you using? Do you know your serial number? Your s/n might still be available in your Adobe.com user profile under the list of purchased products. What format of computer OS?

That's a good question. If you have the original installation disc or downloaded software, can you try to install it on a new machine with the serial number provided with it? Typically if you have exceeded the number of installations allowed, you will be prompted to deactivate one of them, and you would pick the machine that crashed. I can't say that's true with Adobe software that old, but it works that way with the new, subscription based software. (Just as an aside, I was prompted to (re) activate LR and PS on one of my machines for absolutely no reason, and when I did, I had to deactivate the software on the same machine before it would activate.)

avemal Loc: BALTIMORE

I am using Capture NX-D, the Nikon version of Lightroom. Woks well. Thanks to all. Allan

Bill_de Loc: US

A couple of years ago lost Photoshop CS5. I called Adobe and after confirming my credentials they gave a a site to download the program with a new serial number. I still use it.

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Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

I hate it when that happens. But at $9.99 at month for both LR and PS it’s a really great deal. Constant updates for the best software out there. You should give it a try.

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

A year and a half ago I bought a new laptop. Needed a copy of the last standalone version. I think it’s 5.6. I have the serial # but no copy of the original software because I was in FL & the S/W was in NY. I did a web search for it and found more than one site. Sorry, don’t have the site. BE CAREFUL. There are sites that have the software but they will also give you viruses. Make sure you have up to date virus software or Malwarebytes on your computer before you download and install.

therwol Loc: USA

Indi wrote:

A year and a half ago I bought a new laptop. Needed a copy of the last standalone version. I think it’s 5.6. I have the serial # but no copy of the original software because I was in FL & the S/W was in NY. I did a web search for it and found more than one site. Sorry, don’t have the site. BE CAREFUL. There are sites that have the software but they will also give you viruses. Make sure you have up to date virus software or Malwarebytes on your computer before you download and install.

You can download legacy apps from Adobe if they were registered at the time of purchase.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/downloaded-older-app.html#:~:text=How%20to%20download%20your%20older,app%20you%20want%20to%20download.

Photec

Yes, I can relate to your problem, it happened to me a long time ago. Fortunately, I had also been using On1 Photo Raw and testing its capabilities, and when Adobe decided to make theirs a monthly rental, I went with On 1 stand alone. On 1 is very similar to LR, and will update ever 6 months, their latest version is On1 Photo Raw 2022.5 and, to me, is everything LR wants to be. Last week it was on sale for only $50 for the full program. The "No Noise AI and Sharpening" feature is outstanding, and the cataloging is about the same as LR. One thing I like also like more in On 1 is not having to "import" in order to work on images like in LR. You can import them, but you don't have to if you don't need to. Go to youtube.com and look at a few of their tutorials, it is very easy to learn and a lot less expensive.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

therwol wrote:

You can download legacy apps from Adobe if they were registered at the time of purchase.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/kb/downloaded-older-app.html#:~:text=How%20to%20download%20your%20older,app%20you%20want%20to%20download.

When I go to that page and try to get my paid for and registered Lightroom Classic 5.0 it explains that it is unavailable.

"Some apps are no longer available to download. If you purchased your app from Adobe.com or registered it and don't see a download link, your app is not available. For example, you may not find the download link for some versions of Creative Suite including Creative Suite 4 and all earlier versions in your account."

It is not really logical to expect a software company to provide copies of old programs when they know they won't run well on a new computer's operating system.

Ron 717 Loc: Pennsylvania

No one likes the 9.99 monthly fee but I recommend that you give it a 30 day trial. You will be amazed at the improvements that have been updated over the version you had. A cup of coffee probably cost that much a year.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

bsprague wrote:

When I go to that page and try to get my paid for ... (show quote)

We'll never know as the OP gave up without ever giving the requested information that might have pointed to someplace where the software is available ...

Canisdirus

Heck...if the program is that old...you could probably find a free one today that's better.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

I suppose this thread will, predictably, devolve into a shouting match between proponents and opponents of Adobe's pricing model, but I think bsprague is right - there are so many improvements since the days that LR was sold on a disk that you really should reconsider subscribing. Here's some of the things you get for your ten bucks a month:

- The massively improved Lightroom Classic.
- The cloud-based version of Lightroom. It comes with 20GB of storage.
- Full Photoshop. For me, that alone is worth ten bucks a month.
- Photoshop for iPad
- Photoshop Express
- Lightroom mobile
- A free web site to display your photos
- Full product support
- Free upgrades to your Adobe software products

Only you can decide what's best for you. But, I think there's more to the plan than meets the eye.