If you are on Windows 10 N (European edition) or KN (Korean edition), you lack the Media Feature Pack. Photoshop needs certain codecs. Download the "Media Feature Pack for N versions of Windows 10 Version 1607" directly from Microsoft.
Released in August 2016, the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (build 14393) wasn't just another bug fix. It was a tectonic shift for developers. Microsoft introduced the Windows Ink platform and, more critically, overhauled the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI) .
During the installation, your PC will restart several times. The entire process takes ~30-45 minutes. Once complete, your winver screen will show:
Older installers of Photoshop CC 2018/2019 check for a specific digital certificate that expired. Workaround: Set your system clock back to January 1, 2020 before running the Adobe installer, then change it back after install.
Because direct download links from Microsoft change based on browser architecture, please use the official Microsoft portal:
🔗 Official Microsoft Download Link:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Instructions for getting Version 1607 specifically:
For a pre-verified 64-bit English ISO (direct from Microsoft servers - valid as of this writing):
If you are attempting to install a modern version of Adobe Photoshop on a Windows PC and encountering an error message stating, "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update version 1607 or later," it indicates a specific compatibility gap between the creative software and your operating system.
This write-up covers why this requirement exists, which versions of Photoshop are affected, how to resolve the issue, and workarounds if you cannot update your OS.
The error message is not arbitrary; it is rooted in software architecture.
For many years, Adobe Photoshop versions (specifically CC 2018 and CC 2019) were able to run on older versions of Windows 10 because they utilized standard system libraries present in the initial release. However, as Adobe introduced new features—specifically reliance on modern graphics hardware acceleration and updated C++ runtime libraries—they needed a more stable foundation.
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) represented a significant milestone in Windows development. It introduced updated Universal Windows Platform (UWP) APIs and specific backend changes that Photoshop relies on to function without crashing. Without version 1607, the installer detects missing core components and halts the process to prevent immediate software failure.
Introduction
If you’ve recently tried to install or run a newer version of Adobe Photoshop (especially Creative Cloud 2018 or later) on a Windows 10 PC, you may have encountered the following error message:
“Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607 or later).”
This message appears because Adobe has progressively dropped support for older Windows 10 builds. To ensure stability, security, and access to modern GPU-accelerated features, Photoshop now requires a minimum Windows 10 version — specifically the Anniversary Update (build 1607) or any newer version (e.g., 1809, 1909, 21H2, 22H2). If you are on Windows 10 N (European
Why Does Photoshop Require Version 1607 or Later?
Adobe builds Photoshop using modern Windows APIs and graphics frameworks (like DirectX 12, DirectML for AI features, and Windows Ink for stylus input). These technologies were either introduced or significantly improved starting with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update. Older builds (such as version 1507 or 1511) lack the necessary system files and drivers to run Photoshop correctly.
How to Fix the Issue
1. Check Your Current Windows 10 Version
2. Update Windows 10 (Recommended)
3. Manually Download the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (If automatic updates fail)
4. If You Cannot Update Windows
Important Note: Windows 10 Version 1607 is No Longer Supported by Microsoft
While 1607 is the minimum requirement for certain Photoshop versions, Microsoft ended support for version 1607 in April 2018 (except for LTSC editions). For security and performance, you should update to a newer, still-supported version of Windows 10 (e.g., 22H2) before installing Photoshop.
Where to Download the Required Update
If you specifically need the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) installer — for legacy testing or offline systems — use the following official Microsoft links:
⚠️ Security warning: Only download Windows updates from
microsoft.com. Third-party sites offering standalone 1607 update packages may contain malware.
Conclusion
The “Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607 or later)” error is easily fixed by updating your operating system. Always aim to run the latest stable version of Windows 10 (or upgrade to Windows 11 if your hardware supports it) for full compatibility with Adobe Creative Cloud apps.
If you still see the error after updating, restart your PC and re-run the Photoshop installer — it should then detect the newer Windows version and proceed normally.
If you see an error message stating that "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later," it means your current operating system version is too old to support the version of Photoshop you are trying to install or run. Modern versions of Photoshop (starting from release 19.1 in 2018) officially require version 1607 as the bare minimum, with newer versions of Photoshop often requiring version 1809 or higher. Why This Requirement Exists For a pre-verified 64-bit English ISO (direct from
Adobe follows Microsoft’s support lifecycle. When Microsoft stops supporting older versions of Windows 10, Adobe often does the same to ensure the software remains secure and compatible with modern hardware drivers. How to Check Your Current Version
Before downloading any updates, verify exactly which version of Windows you are running: Press the Windows Logo key + R. Type winver and press Enter.
A window will appear showing your version number (e.g., 1511, 1607, 1909, etc.). Step 1: Updating to Windows 10 Version 1607 (or Later)
The most effective way to resolve this error is to bring your operating system up to date.
Standard Windows Update:Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. The Anniversary Update should appear as "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607".
Manual Update (Recommended):If your computer is not finding the update automatically, you can use the Microsoft Download Tool. Select "Update now" to download the Windows Update Assistant, which will force your system to the latest compatible version.
Manual ISO Download:For a clean install or offline update, you can download the Windows 10 ISO file directly from Microsoft. Step 2: Troubleshooting "Already Up to Date" Errors
Sometimes you may receive the version error even if winver shows you are on a newer version like 20H2. This is often caused by corrupted installation files or outdated GPU drivers. Photoshop System Requirements: A Hands-On Guide
The error message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later" typically appeared during the launch or installation of Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1) and newer releases. Why this happens
Adobe made this a requirement to align with Microsoft's own support lifecycle. By requiring version 1607, Adobe ensured that Photoshop could utilize modern OS features and security patches that were not available in earlier builds of Windows 10, such as version 1511 or the original 1507. How to Resolve the Error
If you encounter this message, your current version of Windows 10 is too old to run that specific version of Photoshop. You can resolve this using the following methods:
Standard Windows Update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Windows Update Assistant: If your computer says it is "up to date" but still shows an older version (like 1511), use the Windows Update Assistant to force the update.
Verify Your Version: Press Win + R, type winver, and hit Enter to see your current build number. Special Considerations Photoshop CC 2018 Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Edition
The error message "Adobe Photoshop requires Windows 10 Anniversary update (version 1607) or later"
typically appears when you try to run Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1) or newer on an outdated build of Windows. To fix this, you must update your operating system to a version supported by both Microsoft and Adobe. How to Fix the Version Error Verify Your Current Version Windows Key + R If you are attempting to install a modern
, and press Enter. If your version is lower than 1607 (e.g., 1507 or 1511), Photoshop will not launch. Use Windows Update Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update Check for updates Run the Update Assistant : If standard updates fail, download the Windows 10 Update Assistant from the official Microsoft website by clicking Update now Free Up Disk Space
: Ensure you have enough storage for the update to complete, as a lack of space can cause updates to fail silently. Adobe Photoshop System Requirements
Recent versions of Photoshop require significantly newer builds than 1607 for full feature support: Udemy Blog Photoshop 2024 (v25.x) : Requires Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 Photoshop CC 2019
: Is not supported on Windows 10 versions 1511 or 1607; it requires version 1809 or later. Photoshop CC 2018 (v19.1) : This specific version was the first to mandate the 1607 Anniversary Update as its absolute minimum requirement.
For the best experience and security, it is highly recommended to update to the latest available Windows 10 build (such as ) or upgrade to Windows 11 if your hardware supports it. Are you running a specific Enterprise
version of Windows that might be restricting your ability to update? Photoshop requires windows 10 (version 1607) or later.
To install or run modern versions of Adobe Photoshop, your system must meet minimum OS requirements, which typically start with Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) or later. Why Version 1607 is Required
Adobe updated its system requirements starting with Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1) to align with Microsoft's support lifecycle. Versions older than 1607 (such as 1507 or 1511) are no longer supported for these releases. How to Update Your System
If you are receiving an error stating that Photoshop requires version 1607, you can update your Windows 10 OS through the following official channels:
Windows Update: The most reliable way is to go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. The Anniversary Update will appear as "Feature update to Windows 10, version 1607".
Update Assistant: If the standard update tool fails, you can use the Windows 10 Update Assistant from the official Microsoft Support site to manually trigger the latest compatible update for your hardware.
Verify Your Version: To check your current version, press Win + R, type winver, and hit Enter. Troubleshooting Installation How To Update Photoshop & Enable Auto Updates
This error message typically occurs when trying to install or run Adobe Photoshop CC 2018 (version 19.1)
or later on an outdated version of Windows 10. To resolve this, you must update your operating system to at least Windows 10 version 1607 (Anniversary Update) or a newer build Recommended Solution: Update to a Modern Version
Since Windows 10 version 1607 is several years old and most versions reached their end of service, it is highly recommended to update to the latest available version (such as 22H2) for security and broader software compatibility. Automatic Update Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update Check for Updates Manual Update : If the automatic tool fails, use the Windows 10 Update Assistant to force an upgrade to the latest stable build. How to get the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
Here’s the full content you can use for a page or popup message regarding Adobe Photoshop requiring Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607 or later) — including the official Microsoft link.