FREE Photoshop CS2!

It seems completely legit. I've downloaded and it all seems to work fine. From what I understand, you can also pay to upgrade to CS5 from this version, but it's all Greek to me (mostly a Lightroom user.) Anyway, thought I'd share:

http://www.techspot.co​m …-adobe-photoshop-cs2.html

I do have a question for PS users -- is this version still better than PSE9? If so, how? What can I get in CS2 that PSE9 can't do?

Also, to upgrade, do you buy software? Or is this something you can do at the Adobe website? Would this free version qualify for an upgrade to CS5?

The latest version of Photoshop is CS6. I took a quick look and couldn't even find a CS5 download on the Adobe site. Doesn't mean it's not there somewhere to download but I couldn't find it quickly. Also I doubt that you could update from CS2 to CS5 for free via a legitimate purchase from Adobe. If you google "photoshop CS2 free" there will be a link to the Adobe website where they say they don't support it any longer and do not recommend using it.

There are probably still a few CS2 users out there who may comment but given the improvements in hardware and software since CS2 was released 7 years ago I would think that PSE9 would be more capable in many areas than CS2 but I have never used either.

Is your copy of PSE9 registered? I used PSE8 for awhile and then Adobe offered PSE users an upgrade to CS5 for something like 60% off so I went for it. Still not cheap but I wanted to move up to the full Photoshop. Adobe does this promotion for selected registered PSE users once or twice a year.

But since you can get it for free give it a try. Nothing to lose.

Adobe started giving it away a couple of months ago.

https://photography-on-the.net …p?t=1265760&hig​hlight=cs2

I did register this free download today.

YankeeMom wrote in post #15747184
I did register this free download today.

Let us know what you think of it and how it compares to PSE9.

Yeah it was a mistake initially. After realizing what was happening they were planning to shut down all of the activations but changed their mind to avoid the bad press. I think this is great publicity for them and they aren't losing any potential buyers anyway.

GaryS1964 wrote in post #15746924
The latest version of Photoshop is CS6. I took a quick look and couldn't even find a CS5 download on the Adobe site. Doesn't mean it's not there somewhere to download but I couldn't find it quickly. Also I doubt that you could update from CS2 to CS5 for free via a legitimate purchase from Adobe. If you google "photoshop CS2 free" there will be a link to the Adobe website where they say they don't support it any longer and do not recommend using it.

There are probably still a few CS2 users out there who may comment but given the improvements in hardware and software since CS2 was released 7 years ago I would think that PSE9 would be more capable in many areas than CS2 but I have never used either.

Is your copy of PSE9 registered? I used PSE8 for awhile and then Adobe offered PSE users an upgrade to CS5 for something like 60% off so I went for it. Still not cheap but I wanted to move up to the full Photoshop. Adobe does this promotion for selected registered PSE users once or twice a year.

But since you can get it for free give it a try. Nothing to lose.

Yeah, I couldn't find it either. Surprised. I'll let you know how it compares to PSE9, but it will take awhile as I am, primarily, a Lightroom user. Being that it's 7-years-old, I expect PSE to be better.

Thanks for sharing,some other nice free software there also.

I think it's still a great package even today, from my very limited exposure to PSE I'd take an old copy of full blown PS over new PSE any time. I am using PSP for more involved editing, and it meets all of my needs, but I am downloading CS2 right after I am done typing this.

Amamba wrote in post #15750320
I think it's still a great package even today, from my very limited exposure to PSE I'd take an old copy of full blown PS over new PSE any time. I am using PSP for more involved editing, and it meets all of my needs, but I am downloading CS2 right after I am done typing this.

Agreed. I want to do borders automagically and PSE supposedly won't do it with actions (or whatever the automation is called)

I keep telling myself to DL this and go for it. might just do it now. Thanks OP for the reminder!

Amamba wrote in post #15750320
I think it's still a great package even today, from my very limited exposure to PSE I'd take an old copy of full blown PS over new PSE any time. I am using PSP for more involved editing, and it meets all of my needs, but I am downloading CS2 right after I am done typing this.

I'd be curious to know why this older version is better than a new version of PSE? Please share!

Not to hijack the thread but is this the version they are giving away?
http://www.ebay.com …tware&hash=item​19d1733bce


Or is it a sleeker version?

Also got Adobe Audition from the site a Nice program for music editing.
Either way wow what a deal thanks again.

Comparison of current Adobe products
http://www.adobe.com …e-version-comparison.html

This comparison does not address Content Aware Fill but it is my understanding that PSE9 and above have a less capable version of this tool. I use it frequently when enhancing photos with CS6. Recently my wife wanted a new mousepad with a photo of the grandkids. The best one I had was taken on a crowded beach at Lake Tahoe. However there were lots of other people as well as boats and stuff in the water and people, blankets, towels, ice chests, and lots of other stuff cluttering up the pic. After a few minutes with Content Aware Fill all the people, boats, and other clutter was gone leaving just my grandkids and you would have to look really close and know where to look to see where the tool was used. A great tool.

Comparison of Photoshop by version. Oldest version listed is CS3 and I would think that CS2 would not have any features CS3 doesn't have and probably fewer.
http://www.adobe.com …e-version-comparison.html

I downloaded it and CS2 won't open RAW files. Is this correct?

Depends on the raw files. It won't open the latest and greatest raw files.