Paint Shop Pro X4 will not launch in windows 8

[jmadara]

I recently installed the Developer Preview of Windows 8. I already had PSP x4 installed in Windows 7 and it worked fine. Once I tried launching it after the upgrade if failed to load. I completely uninstalled PSP x4 and reinstalled. Still will not launch.

[DVDDoug]

Perhaps good to know, but as I'm sure you know, Windows 8 has not been officially released yet.

And, if you check the System Requirements for Paint Shop, you'll find that Corel does not claim it runs on Win8.

[LeviFiction]

Also I hope you are reporting this to Microsoft as they are the ones claiming that 8 can run anything 7 can on the same hardware.

[jmadara]

Also I hope you are reporting this to Microsoft as they are the ones claiming that 8 can run anything 7 can on the same hardware.

As part of the Developer Preview I did notify using compatibility tool, however I would imagine Corel would want to know why their software isn't working and not solely rely on Microsoft to make sure their product works.

[Simone Corel UK]

@jmadara

I'm sure that Microsoft will provide all important software companies with a Windows 8 build that they can begin to develop software for Windows 8. I can't imagine that any current software (which has to be installed) runs under Windows 8.

[Ken Berry]

jmadara -- you also need to be aware that despite the very occasional presence of people like Simone, this remains a user to user web board, maintained by volunteers who are NOT Corel Employees. Apart from Simone and one other person associated with Corel, as far as we are aware, no Corel employees visit these forums -- apart occasionally to visit the wish lists for future versions of various products.

In other words, if you think by reporting this problem here that it is automatically taken up by Corel, I am afraid you are wrong...

[jmadara]

...occasionally to visit the wish lists for future versions of various products.

Well in that case I wish the next version of PSP works with Windows 8. [sarcasm]

Seriously, I know they will work things out before launch. I am aware this is a user board and came here hoping there may be others who have experienced the same problem. I use PSP every day. I was part of the Beta development of X4 and really like where it's headed.

In case anyone would like to know my experiences using Windows 8: I find it runs a lot quicker. Startup is faster and most programs seem to more peppy. Especially Photoshop which usually takes a while to start on my system. The Metro UI is alright, but really made for touch based interfaces and not something I need on my laptop since I can use Rainmeter for most of my favorite features, like weather. I have grown to like the new search. They got rid of the bloated start menu which I never really liked. If you want to start a program that isn't in your quicklauch area, you tap the Windows button on the keyboard and start typing. Windows gives you a full list of Apps, Commands, or Files.

I haven't upgraded to X4 Ultimate yet, but want to. I've been forced to use Photoshop Elements the last few days which is nowhere close to X4. Hopefully there will be a fix or update coming soon. If anyone is using PSP with Windows 8 please let me know.

[LeviFiction]

I want to get X4 ultimate as well. But there is never enough time on my little breaks to wait for customer service to answer the phone so I can buy the ultimate pack. And I refuse to try and buy upgrade just to get the pack so I am hoping to find the time later but until I they add the pack by itself to the store Customer Service is all I have. *Sigh*

[Ken Berry]

I didn't even know there was a Developer Preview of Win 8 available! So I find your comments interesting... with one reservation.

If you want to start a program that isn't in your quicklauch area, you tap the Windows button on the keyboard and start typing. Windows gives you a full list of Apps, Commands, or Files.

But that function already exists with Win 7 -- I use it many times a day and simply ignore the 'bloated' Start menu...

[Simone Corel UK]

... simply ignore the 'bloated' Start menu..

What about the task-bar (Windows), panel (Linux) or dock (Mac)?

How can you access the Control Panel on Windows 8?

[jmadara]

You hit start just like Windows 7, but you don't see the Start Menu search field. Windows 8 takes you to the Metro Interface (tiles like in Windows 7 phone), once you start typing it shows the three catagories on the right and the entire screen shows results based on your search. Control Panel was tricky at first, but you can type in commands like add remove and Win8 finds them. You can also pin a shortcut of any program or command to the metro interface.

I always hated the Start Menu bloat because each install had for or five unnecessary icons like readme and uninstall. I moved my frequently used items to the taskbar or pinned them to the front Start menu page. My OCD goes crazy if I start organizing All Programs.

[teknisyan]

As far as I know Windows 8 also has a desktop mode, though I'm not sure how to switch from the Metro to Desktop mode, you may want to try and switch to full desktop mode and see if PSP X4 can run there. I also have the Windows 8 Dev Preview but I'm hesitant to install it on my home PC since I still don't know what will happen to all the files and programs installed in it.

[LeviFiction]

Really? You think he's trying to run PSP in Metro? Read closer you'll see he's been in the desktop mode by his description of how to get to the start menu and control panel.

And in case anyone is interested switching to the desktop is easy, you can either use the keyboard or select the "Desktop" tile in the Metro view.

[flagpole]

if x4 wont boot in W8 it's likely to be something to do with the licensing or a version check.

nearly all apps that even vaguely follow the windows api are working well with W8. if it isn't working it could be a simple version check in the app, some simple logic that says if version equals this do that, but doesn't have an entry for W8. or else it's that protexis SOB, this kind of thing is notorious for not following the rules.

[jmadara]

if x4 wont boot in W8 it's likely to be something to do with the licensing or a version check.

nearly all apps that even vaguely follow the windows api are working well with W8. if it isn't working it could be a simple version check in the app, some simple logic that says if version equals this do that, but doesn't have an entry for W8. or else it's that protexis SOB, this kind of thing is notorious for not following the rules.

Thanks for the info, PSPx4 is the only program I had any sort of problem not working with Win8.