Here’s a helpful write-up you can use for a support page, internal knowledge base, or user-facing guide.
Adobe Photoshop Requires Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) – What You Need to Know If you’ve tried to install or run a recent version of Adobe Photoshop and received an error stating that the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (or a later version) is required, you’re not alone. This article explains why this requirement exists, how to check your Windows version, and how to resolve the issue. Why does Photoshop require the Anniversary Update? Adobe regularly updates Photoshop to leverage modern Windows features, security enhancements, and performance improvements. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) introduced critical system components (such as updated graphics APIs, touch and pen input enhancements, and security frameworks) that newer Photoshop versions depend on. Running Photoshop on an older Windows build can lead to instability, missing features, or security vulnerabilities. Which versions of Photoshop are affected?
Photoshop 2020 (v21.0) and later generally require Windows 10 version 1607 or newer. Photoshop 2024/2025 may require even newer builds (e.g., version 20H2 or 22H2). Always check Adobe’s official system requirements.
How to check your current Windows 10 version adobe photoshop requires windows 10 anniversary update
Press Windows Key + R , type winver , and press Enter. A dialog box will appear showing:
Version (e.g., Version 20H2, Version 1809, or Version 1507) OS Build (e.g., 14393 or higher for Anniversary Update)
If your version number is lower than 1607 , you need to update. Here’s a helpful write-up you can use for
How to fix the issue Option 1: Update Windows 10 to the latest version
Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update . Click Check for updates . Install any available feature updates. You may need to repeat this process to get fully up to date. Restart your PC.
Option 2: Manually download the Windows 10 Update Assistant Why does Photoshop require the Anniversary Update
Visit Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page Click Update Now to run the Update Assistant (recommended for older builds).
Option 3: If you cannot update Windows 10